Rapides Sheriff: Alexandria man smuggled fentanyl into jail, supplied 'multiple' inmates
An Alexandria man booked into jail to serve a four-day probation sanction now faces multiple felonies after officials say he snuck fentanyl in and supplied "multiple inmates," including two who overdosed, according to a news release.
Damien Lee Landry, 30, had been booked into jail in downtown Alexandria and transferred to the Rapides Parish Detention Center #3 on John Allison Drive, off Coliseum Boulevard, on Tuesday evening, according to the Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office.
Deputies and medical staff later responded to two overdoses, one late Tuesday and another early Wednesday morning. The unidentified inmates, both of whom received Narcan at the jail, were taken to a hospital.
One was in critical condition, while the other was stable, according to the initial news release Wednesday morning. The critical inmate was found breathing, but was not responsive, it read.
Investigators suspected both men had suffered opioid overdoses, which is why Narcan was administered. An investigation was opened, too.
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It found that when Landry was brought to jail, "he was concealing suspected fentanyl in a body cavity," reads an updated release from Wednesday night.
It's believed Landry provided fentanyl to multiple inmates, not just the two who overdosed, it reads. More charges are possible as the investigation continues.
Landry has been charged with introduction of contraband into a penal facility, distribution of fentanyl, failure to seek assistance and obstruction of justice.
Bail has been set at $145,000, but Landry still is serving time on the probation violation with no bail set.
Landry had been in jail from April 13 to July 24, when he was released after pleading guilty to a reduced charge of attempted possession of a firearm by a felon. A prison sentence of more than seven years was suspended, and he was placed on three years probation.
His plea agreement also called for him to testify against another defendant in a drug possession case.
This article originally appeared on Alexandria Town Talk: Alexandria man faces charges after smuggled fentanyl causes overdoses
