3 charged with smuggling contraband into jail

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Three women were charged Friday with smuggling contraband including drugs and razor blades into the Nassau County jail in East Meadow, the district attorney’s office said.

The women — Amanda Minnieer, 27 of Baldwin, Sharonda Hall, 24, of Wyandanch, and Chantiel Cox, 25, from Huntington — each were held on arraignment on charges of promoting prison contraband.

“The alleged actions of the defendants endangered everyone at the jail and raise serious questions about security procedures and oversight at the correctional facility,” Singas said. “Our paramount concern is the safety of corrections officers, support staff, visitors and inmates at the East Meadow facility and we are continuing our investigation to determine how dangerous items were smuggled into the jail.”

According to a news release from the district attorney’s office, Cox, a jailhouse nurse, was found to be carrying a cellphone and a lighter, both deemed contraband, as she entered the Nassau County Correctional Center last Dec. 23. The offenses were misdemeanors and Cox was administratively dismissed that day.

But investigators learned that Cox smuggled drugs, including K2 — also known as synthetic marijuana — and weapons into the jail in a scheme that involved Hall and Minnieer. According to the district attorney’s office, inmates at the jail had communicated with Hall and Minnieer about bringing items into the facility.

The office said Hall and Minnieer would pick up cash, typically $50 or $100, at a money-wiring store and that money was then used to get contraband goods headed for the jail. A spokesman for the district attorney said that inmates were the source of the money.

After the items were purchased, the goods were then allegedly turned over to Cox, who smuggled them into the facility, the DA’s statement said.

“The smuggling of contraband into the correctional facility is something that will not be tolerated,” said acting Police Commissioner Thomas Krumpter.

Hall was arrested on Feb. 2; Cox and Minnieer were arrested on Feb. 4. The arrests were made by members of the Nassau County Police Department’s District Attorney Squad.

Besides the contraband charges, the women each face conspiracy charges.

District Court Judge Paul Meli set bail for Cox and Minnieer on Friday at $30,000 each cash or bond. Hall was arraigned on Feb. 4, and Meli set bail at $10,000 bond or $5,000 cash. All three were to return to court this week.