BOTH INCIDENTS HAPPENED TWO DAYS APART IN BARREN COUNTY AND HARLAN COUNTY
NOVEMBER 2, 2021 – written by WADE QUEEN
The Kentucky State Police found themselves busy for the last weekend of October, after they called in for two separate cases at two different jails in Southern Kentucky; of which one was a death case, and the other a drug case involving a jail employee.
In case number one, the Kentucky State Police, Post 10 in Harlan, KY., received a call from the Harlan County Detention Center, in Evarts, KY., on October 31, 2021 at approximately 3:20 A.M. The detention center advised they located an inmate unresponsive. KSP Trooper Brandon Pierson along with KSP detective Jacob Middleton responded and began an investigation.
Deputy Coroner Jim Rich responded and pronounced the inmate deceased at the detention center. An autopsy is scheduled at the Medical Examiner’s Office in Louisville. No foul play is suspected.
The death investigation case is still under investigation by KSP detective Jacob Middleton. The name of the deceased inmate has not been released as of now.
In their press release statement, the KSP said that they are committed to being transparent while ensuring the integrity of every investigation. To protect the integrity of this ongoing investigation, it is KSP’s Standard Operating Procedure not to release specific details until vital witnesses have been interviewed and pertinent facts gathered. Timelines to complete investigations vary based on the complexity of the case.
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In case number two, on Friday October 29th, 2021 at approximately 9:00 A.M., the Kentucky State Police Post 03, in Bowling Green, KY., was contacted by the Barren County Jailer with information of an employee possibly in possession of drugs in the facility. Troopers responded to the Barren County Detention Center in Glasgow, KY. to investigate.
KSP trooper David Hall along with KSP Canine “Akim” arrived at the Barren County Detention Center located at 201 Samson St in Glasgow, KY. Through investigation, suspected Methamphetamine was located in the possession of 22 year old Danyita A. Brownsmith, of Glasgow. Ms. Brownsmith was a contracted kitchen staff employee currently assigned to the Barren County Detention Center.
SHE WAS COOKING SOMETHING ELSE IN THE PRISON KITCHEN OTHER THAN FOOD: DANYITA A. SMITH, 22, OF GLASGOW, KY., WAS ARRESTED ON METH & MARIJUANA POSSESS, ALONG WITH DRUG PARAPHERNALIA & PROMOTING CONTRABAND.
Danyita Brownsmith was arrested and faces the following charges:
Promoting Contraband, 1st Degree.
Possession of Controlled Substance 1st Degree, 1st Offense (Methamphetamine).
Possession of Marijuana.
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Danyita Brownsmith was transported to and lodged in the Hopkins County Detention Center in Madisonville, Kentucky. She has since been released after posting her $5,000 full cash bond.
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