CORTLAND COUNTY -- Four people were arrested after they were caught trying to smuggle meth into the Cortland County Correctional Facility.
Deputies say they caught 21-year-old Katelynne M. Thomas, of Ithaca, trying to sneak a small amount of meth into the Cortland County Correctional Facility on Tuesday.
Deputies say Thomas tried to sign in reading books into the facility for an incarcerated inmate. When she did, a correctional officer, checking the books, found that one had meth hidden in the binding of the book.
The officer asked Thomas about the meth and learned that she may have been assisted by three other people.
Deputies say they then went into the parking lot at the Public Safety Building where they found 22-year-old Tomas C. Kaiser, of Cortland, 24-year-old Justin Farley, of Endicott, and 23-year-old Kara R. Smithgall of Endicott.
After further investigation, deputies learned there may be illegal substances in Smithgall’s vehicle, which Thomas had been driving.
Deputies searched the vehicle and found a small amount of meth and all the necessary chemicals and equipment to operate a meth lab.
All items were confiscated and the suspects were arrested.
Kaiser is charged with felony criminal possession of a controlled substance, felony criminal sale of a controlled substance, felony unlawful manufacture of methamphetamine, felony criminal possession of precursors of methamphetamine. He was arraigned and held on $10,000 cash/$20,000 bond.
Thomas is charged with felony promoting prison contraband, felony attempted criminal sale of a controlled substance, misdemeanor criminal possession of a controlled substance and misdemeanor. She was arraigned and held on $50,000 cash/$100,000 bond.
Smithgall is charged with Misdemeanor Conspiracy and Unlawful Possession of Marijuana. She was arraigned and held on $1000 cash/$2,500 bond
Farley is charged with misdemeanor conspiracy. He was arraigned and held on $1000 cash $2,500 bond.
