Legal Mail Contraband 3.19.21

Within the past few months, there have been multiple allegations of drugs and other forms of contraband being introduced into the Sedgwick County Detention Facility through forged inmate legal mail.

On March 9, 2021, the Sedgwick County Detention Facility received a package addressed to an inmate with a return address label from the Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt. After consulting with the Kansas Attorney General’s Office, the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Legal Advisor, and the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Investigation Division, there was enough evidence to believe the package was not official legal mail and a fake return address had been used.

Sheriff Investigators took possession of the package. After analyzing the contents of the package, approximately 5 grams of synthetic cannabinoids (K2) and a package of approximately 32 rolling papers were located inside the package. The package and its contents have been submitted as evidence. A case has been opened in order to find the people involved in this crime and hold them accountable for their actions.

Once the investigation has been completed, it will be presented to the District Attorney for potential criminal charges.

This type of discovery is disturbing but the safety and security of our employees and the inmates housed in our facility is paramount.