Correctional officer arrested for trafficking at Putnamville

Friday, August 2, 2019

PUTNAMVILLE — An officer at Putnamville Correctional Facility is facing three felony counts for allegedly trafficking a controlled substance with an inmate.

Correctional Officer Brian Martin, 33, Rosedale, was arrested Wednesday and charged with two counts of Level 5 felony trafficking with an inmate and one count of Level 6 felony official misconduct.

The investigation developed from information alleging Martin was trafficking Suboxone into the prison. As a result of the investigation, more than three dozen strips of suspected Suboxone were recovered.

Martin was transported to the Putnam County Jail without incident on the day of his arrest.

“I’m proud of the staff at the Putnamville Correctional Facility,” Internal Affairs Officer James Smith said. “It was their attention to detail that resulted in the discovery of Martin’s alleged attempt to smuggle suspected illegal drugs into the prison environment.”

He has been placed on suspension without compensation until the results of the criminal investigation are concluded. Martin began employment with the IDOC on Jan. 28 and was assigned correctional officer duties at the Putnamville.

On Friday, the Putnam County Prosecutor’s Office formally filed charges against Martin in Putnam Circuit Court, which include two Level 5 felony trafficking counts as well as the single Level 6 felony official misconduct charge.

On Thursday, a Level 5 felony trafficking a controlled substance charge was also filed against 28-year-old Renell Milan, a Putnamville inmate.

Milan was not mentioned in the IDOC press release and it is unclear if the charges against the offender and Martin resulted from the same incident.

“We have a zero tolerance policy on trafficking,” Smith said. “We will arrest and seek prosecution of our own staff for trafficking, and we take the same action against visitors who attempt to traffic illegal substances into any IDOC facility.” 

Suboxone film is a prescription medicine that contains the active ingredients buprenorphine and naloxone. It is used to treat adults who are dependent on (addicted to) opioids (either prescription or illegal).

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