A Cook County deputy corrections director faces more charges for allegedly providing a cell phone to an inmate

Officials say a Cook County inmate deputy arrested for trying to smuggle drug-laced paper into the jail

A Cook County corrections employee was arrested Friday morning and appeared in court after dozens of sheets of paper soaked in illegal drugs were found in her home.

CHICAGO – AND Cook County corrections deputy who was He has already been charged with drug offenses is now accused of allowing an inmate to use his cell phone to send messages and view pornographic material.

In August, Shadonna Jones, 54, was replaced by a deputy and placed on administrative leave without pay after investigators discovered dozens of drug-laced documents in her home on July 25. They also seized an iPhone and an Android device, as well as a letter addressed to Jones and apparently written by an inmate at the Cook County Jail.

In the letter, the inmate allegedly stated that he sold the newspapers for $10,000 per page and that Jones would receive $2,500 for each packet of documents he brought to the prison.

When questioned by investigators, Jones – according to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office – stated that she received the documents from an inmate’s family member and was paid $1,000 to receive them. Investigators noted that Jones denied that she intended to provide the documents.

The articles’ laboratory results confirmed the presence of MDMB-BUTINACA, a synthetic cannabinoid.

The new charges include a Class X felony for furnishing electronic contraband to an inmate and a Class 3 felony for official misconduct.

Shadonna Jones, 54, of Lynwood, was charged with one count of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver (Cook County Sheriff’s Office)

Investigators say Jones allowed the inmate to use her Android phone. A forensic examination of the phone revealed that on July 13, the inmate used it to browse pornographic websites, take selfies and chat on Facebook. Further investigation of her iPhone records revealed that Jones had exchanged text messages with the inmate during her shift and had been assigned to the same level as the person seen in the photos and Facebook account.

Jones, of Lynwood, was hired as a deputy in 2019 but was on leave due to an on-duty injury she suffered during a fight between inmates. An internal investigation into her employment is ongoing.