DATE: December 27, 2023
SUBJECT: Trespasser Arrested after Failed Attempt to Deliver Narcotics into Jail
RELEASE NUMBER: 2023-NR-1227
CONTACT: Sheriff Noah Robinson
AUTHORITY: Sheriff Noah Robinson
The Sheriff’s Office arrested a suspect after they attempted to introduce narcotics into the Vanderburgh County Jail.
In the spirit of the season, the Sheriff’s Office has recently joked about “Clem the Elf” and “The Grinch” visiting the Jail. The presents a real-life trespasser at the Jail were trying to deliver were certainly not anything Santa would leave in your stocking.
Confinement Officers at the Jail developed information that an unknown suspect may have made an attempt to throw narcotics into one of the jail’s ten outdoor recreation yards. An investigation by Jail staff led to sufficient grounds to request the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Section begin building a criminal case.
A review of Jail security video from earlier in the month revealed that a suspect, later identified as Montana Chandler, approached the north perimeter fence of the Jail and threw an object toward the outdoor recreation area of housing unit “A3”. The area is protected by both an inner and outer fence that surrounds a walled recreation yard.
A search of the outdoor area surrounding the housing unit where Chandler was observed revealed a lighter with a clear plastic bag attached by a rubber band. The bag contained a white crystalline substance that field tested positive for methamphetamine with a field weight of a little more than 1 gram.
Chandler’s boyfriend, Nathen Browning, was implicated in the plot to introduce narcotics into the jail. The pair coordinated the plan using the Jail phone and messaging platforms, which are monitored by Jail staff.
Montana Chandler was booked into the Jail at 2:30pm today and will make an appearance before a judge Thursday morning.
Sheriff Noah Robinson stated, “Our Jail officers work hard to keep our facility safe and secure. We are always learning, always getting better at the job we do.” Sheriff Robinson added, “Going forward, this type of attempted breach will be even more difficult to accomplish thanks to security camera upgrades previously approved by the Vanderburgh County Council that are set for installation next year.”
ARRESTED:
Montana Lee Chandler (pictured above), 27, of Evansville. Trafficking with an Inmate as a Level 6 Felony.
Presumption of Innocence Notice: The fact that a person has been arrested or charged with a crime is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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