Booneville Police Bust Jail Smugglers

PRENTISS COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) — Booneville police charge four people for attempting to smuggle drugs into the Booneville/Prentiss County Jail.

Police say Daniel McKinney and his wife, Hope, along with Tyler

                Daniel McKinney

Bearden formulated a plan to smuggle marijuana and meth into the jailhouse.

Police Chief Michael Ramey said the couple also used a thirteen year old as bait to bring the drugs to Bearden, who was on a work release program, who would then bring the drugs to Daniel McKinney. McKinney is already behind bars.

                  Hope McKinney

Ramey also said it was all caught on surveillance.

Daniel McKinney is charged with Conspiracy to Introduce Marijuana into a Correctional Facility and Conspiracy to Introduce Meth into a Correctional Facility, and Conspiracy to distribute/possess Marijuana in a Correctional Facility

                    Tyler Bearden

and Conspiracy to distribute/possess Meth in a Correctional Facility.  McKinney’s bond is set at $50,000.

Hope McKinney is charged with Sale of Controlled Substance Meth more than 1/10th of a gram, Sale of Controlled Substance Marijuana, Conspiracy to Introduce Meth and Marijuana into a Correctional Facility, Possession of Meth with intent to distribute, Possession of Marijuana with intent to distribute, Child Abuse for allowing a child’s presence at Meth drug sale, and Child Abuse for allowing a child’s presence at Marijuana drug sale. McKinney’s bond is set at $75,000.

Tyler Bearden is charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance (Meth) in a Jail With Intent, Possession of a Controlled Substance (Marijuana) in a Jail With Intent, Conspiracy to introduce Meth into a Jail, and Conspiracy to introduce Marijuana into a Jail. Bearden’s bond is set at $50,000.

Ramey said the thirteen year old is facing four felony charges that will be handled in Youth Court.  He was also released to a guardian.

Ramey said a car was also seized in the month long investigation.