Cell Phones, Sex & Chicken Pot Pies: 4 Fulton County Atlanta C.O.’s Arrested In Inmate Contraband Sting

Four correctional officers at the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta were down for anything when it came to the inmates.

LaQuna Ballard, Regina Harris, Anizya Silas,  and Breaisha Tate were all arrested and charged with supplying various forms of contraband, including cell phones and cigarettes, to inmates.

Harris faces three warrants for providing a contraband cell phone to an inmate.

According to WSBTV, Laquna Ballard, is accused of sending explicit photos and videos to an inmate and conspiring to smuggle cigarettes and cell phones into the jail.  Tate is accused of engaging in sexual activity with an inmate and smuggling cell phones into the jail by hiding them in a cutout inside a book.

Records reveal she confessed to providing six cellphones and other contraband to an inmate and having sex with the inmate on three separate occasions.

The same records indicate Tate received $1,682 in payments via Cash App from the inmate for in return.

FULL CHARGES: 

• LaQuna Ballard, 34, was charged with one count of possession of prohibited items by an inmate or providing prohibited items to an inmate and two counts of conspiracy to commit a felony. The sheriff’s office said she is accused of sending explicit photos to an inmate taking payments for cell phones and cigarettes.
• Regina Harris, 26, was charged with one count of prohibited items by an inmate or providing prohibited items to an inmate, one count of conspiracy to commit a felony and one count of crossing guard lines of jail with prohibited items. The sheriff’s office said she is accused of giving an inmate a cell phone.
• Anizya Silas, 24, was charged with one count of possession of prohibited items by an inmate or providing prohibited items to inmate and one count of conspiracy to commit a felony. The sheriff’s office said she is accused of giving an inmate a phone charger and an unauthorized staff meal.
• Breaisha Tate, 26, was charged with three counts of improper sexual contact by employee or agent second degree, five counts of crossing guard lines of jail with prohibited items, two counts of possession of prohibited items by inmate or providing prohibited items to inmate. The sheriff’s office said she is accused of having sex with an inmate multiple times and bringing six cell phones and contraband to another inmate.

The Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that this is an ongoing investigation, and additional charges may be forthcoming.

The accused former employees all worked on the same two floors of the jail.

Natalie Ammons, director of communications for the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office said the officers, who were employed by Strategic Security, “have all been terminated today but they are considered contractors.”

“We can’t screen for integrity,” Ammons said.

Fulton County Sheriff Pat Labat released a statement condemning the actions of the former employees, stating, “These women unfortunately chose to be on the wrong side of the law by fraternizing with residents. They will now have to face the consequences for the crimes they are accused of committing. Our employees and contractors alike are held to a high standard of integrity.”

All four suspects were given bond, but as of late Wednesday afternoon, only one had posted it.

The fourth officer, Anizya Silas, faces charges of conspiring to smuggle a phone charger and giving unauthorized food, specifically a chicken pot pie, to an inmate.

“We can’t screen for integrity,” Ammons said.

All four suspects were given bond, but as of late Wednesday afternoon, only one had posted it.

“These women unfortunately chose to be on the wrong side of the law by fraternizing with residents they were entrusted with watching over,” said Sheriff Pat Labat. “They will now have to face the consequences for the crimes they are accused of committing. Our employees and contractors alike are held to a high standard of integrity.”