UPDATE: (WED, May 8, 2019) Following an investigation, Cook County Sheriff’s Office discovered an elaborate operation within the Cook County Jail, involving spraying Bibles with methamphetamine, and also undergarments.

“Obviously this is the culmination of a month and a half investigation that relied on surveillance (both physical and of phone activity), controlled deliveries, and many hours of interviews,” Capt. B. Exum of the Cook County Sheriff’s Office told Valdosta Today Wednesday. “The change (from Bibles to undergarments) was made when the allowance of Bibles from sources outside the facility was halted.”

Cook County Magistrate Judge Stephen Chammoun has denied bond (pretrial release) for Harold McKinley Gray. The accused has been charged with crimes under O.C.G.A. 17-6-1, for which the Magistrate Court does not have the authority to set bond, according to the magistrate’s order. The defendant may still seek bond in a hearing before a Superior Court judge.

Alexander Lee Howard, 29, was released from jail April 20 on a $6,800 bond, with the case pending in Superior Court.

Cook County Chief Magistrate Judge Nichole McCrary has denied bond for Ms. Hathcock, who was incarcerated for prior felony offenses. The defendant may still seek bond in a hearing before a Superior Court judge.

According to court records, Ms. Hathcock has completed school through the 11th grade, had resided two years at her current home address, and has been unemployed.

Judge McCrary also has denied bond (pretrial release) for Ms. Edmondson, who was incarcerated for prior felony offenses. The defendant may still seek bond in a hearing before a Superior Court judge.

According to court records, Ms. Edmondson has earned a Master’s Degree, had resided one year at her current home address, and has been unemployed.

COOK CO, Ga. – The Cook County Sheriff’s Office dismantled an elaborate operation that utilized Bibles and underwear to smuggle methamphetamine into the Cook County Jail.

Sheriff Doug Hanks reported that on April 10 the Cook County Sheriff’s Office received information that female inmates housed at the Cook County Jail were in possession of methamphetamine.

A search of the pod cells led to the discovery of methamphetamine on four Bibles found within the pods.

An investigation was initiated that led to the discovery that two female inmates had been using the phone within their cell to contact a third party outside of the facility to arrange the spraying of methamphetamine in liquid form onto the pages of Bibles.

The pickup of the Bibles after the drug was added was then arranged through an additional unrelated party who transported the Bibles to the jail.

The tainted Bibles were then provided to the female inmates through normal jail procedures.

Once the process using the Bibles was discovered the inmates then changed to applying the drug to undergarments. The undergarments were intercepted by Sheriff’s Office staff when they were delivered to the facility.

The investigation led to charges against Cook County Jail inmates Heather Danielle “Dani” Edmondson, 25, and Charly Nicole Hathcock, 31, for Distribution of Methamphetamine to inmates, Possession of Methamphetamine, and using a communication facility to facilitate a drug transaction.

During the investigation the outside third party suspected of applying the drug to the Bibles was identified as Harold McKinley Gray, 49, of 256 Quillie Jones Road, Adel, Georgia.

On April 18, 2019, Deputies and Investigators served a search warrant on Gray’s residence and discovered approximately twelve (12) grams of methamphetamine and items consistent with the process of applying the drug to Bibles.

A Bible that had recently had Methamphetamine applied to it was also discovered in the residence. Gray was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine with intent to distribute, Distribution of Methamphetamine, and Using a communication facility to facilitate a drug transaction for his part in the smuggling ring.

Gray’s roommate, identified as Alexander Lee Howard, 29, was also charged with Possession of Methamphetamine after the search.

“We are still looking into this incident to determine if any of our employees may have been directly involved in or if our policies may have inadvertently allowed this contraband to enter the jail facility,” stated Sheriff Hanks.

Hanks further stated, “the fact that this contraband was introduced into the jail by the use of Bibles is both surprising and upsetting to me.”

The investigation into the introduction of contraband into the jail is continuing and more charges may be forthcoming.