9:14 p.m.: Visitor arrests at prison

By Justin Schneider

Tue, May 13 2008

— PENDLETON — In a span of two days, two Indianapolis women were arrested for allegedly trying to sneak contraband into the Pendleton Correctional Facility in separate incidents, according to public information officer Neil Potter.
Jessica Turner, 18, of Indianapolis, was taken into custody by Indiana State Police and taken to the Madison County Jail around 5 p.m. Tuesday. Potter said Turner, who was visiting an offender, was carrying two cell phones, tobacco and marijuana.
Turner was visiting 23-year-old Troy Riggs of Marion, who is serving time for child molesting, burglary, robbery and criminal confinement, with an expected release date of July 1, 2065. Riggs has been placed on administrative segregation status and will face criminal charges in connection with the incident, according to Potter.
“This incident reaffirms our commitment to vigorously pursue prosecution of individuals who attempt to introduce contraband into the facility,” said acting superintendent Kathy Griffin.
For the phones and tobacco, Turner has been charged with two counts of trafficking with an offender, a Class A misdemeanor. For the marijuana, she has been charged with trafficking in a controlled substance, a Class D felony.
“The department is committed to a zero-tolerance drug and alcohol-free workplace in order to give all employees and offenders the opportunity to work and live in a safe and productive environment,” said Indiana Department of Correction Commissioner J. David Donahue.
On Wednesday, Sarah Brandenburg, 22, also of Indianapolis, was arrested on suspicion of possession of cocaine, a Class C felony, and trafficking in a controlled substance with an offender, a Class D felony.
State police troopers arrested Brandenburg at about 4 p.m. after she allegedly tried smuggling an undisclosed amount of cocaine into the prison, according to a news release from Potter.
Brandenburg was bringing the drugs to Manuel Ayon, 31, Greenwood, the release said. Ayon is projected to be released in July 2040 on charges of battery, burglary and robbery. He was placed into administrative segregation, and will also likely be charged.
Both women were being held at the Madison County Jail late Wednesday.