CRIME WATCH

D.A.: Nurse smuggled contraband into county jail

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A nurse who worked at the Nassau County jail is facing felony charges following her arrest Thursday after investigators uncovered a conspiracy in which she used her job with Armor Correctional Health Services to smuggle drugs and weapons to inmates, sources said.

Three women, — including a nurse who worked at the Nassau County Correctional Facility — were arrested for their roles in smuggling drugs and weapons into the East Meadow jail, Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas said.

Chantiel Cox, a 25-year-old Huntington resident, was charged with first-degree Promoting Prison Contraband (felony); second-degree Promoting Prison Contraband (a misdemeanor); and fifth-degree Conspiracy at her arraignment on Friday. Cox, a former Armor Correctional Health Services nurse whop worked at the correctional facility, faces up to 2 1/3 to seven years in prison for allegedly sneaking razors and K2, or synthetic marijuana, into the jail.

Inmates Sharonda Hall, 24, of Wyandanch, and Amanda Minnieer, 27 of Baldwin, were also charged with with first-degree Promoting Prison Contraband and fifth-degree Conspiracy at their arraignments on Thursday and Friday, respectively. Singas said the pair communicated with Cox about the smuggling operation.

“The alleged actions of the defendants endangered everyone at the jail and raise serious questions about security procedures and oversight at the correctional facility,” she 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.”

Singas said that on Dec. 23, Cox was carrying a cell phone and a lighter as she entered the facility; both items are considered contraband. Therefore, Cox was fired from her position that day

During a six-week investigation of Cox, officials said they discovered that she was in contact with Hall and Minnieer about bringing the illegal drugs and weapons into the facility. Hall and Minnieer allegedly picked up sums of cash, — typically $50 or $100,— at a money wiring store; officials said and that money was then used to acquire contraband goods destined for the correctional facility. The goods were then allegedly turned over to Cox, who smuggled them into the facility.

Hall was arrested on Feb. 2, while Cox and Minnieer were arrested on Feb. 4. Members of the Nassau County Police Department DA Squad made the arrests

“The smuggling of contraband into the correctional facility is something that will not be tolerated,” Acting NCPD Commissioner Thomas Krumpter said. “Today’s arrests should serve as a deterrent to criminals that the Nassau County Police Department is working with our fellow law enforcement partners to ensure public safety.”

Assistant District Attorney Anne Donnelly, deputy chief of Singas’s Organized Crime and Rackets Bureau, is prosecuting the case. Cox is represented by Tara Meyerhofer, Esq., Hall was represented at arraignment by the Legal Aid Society of Nassau County, and Minnieer is represented by Alfred Amadio, Esq.

Singas said this investigation is ongoing. She also noted that charges are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless found guilty.