Probation officer arrested for smuggling Publix sub into jail

January 6, 2017

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) -- A Leon County pre-trial probation officer has been arrested, accused of smuggling various food items to an inmate in the Leon County Jail.

39-year-old Jerilyn Harris was arrested Thursday on a charge of smuggling contraband into a detention facility following an investigation.

According to the arrest affidavit, on January 3, Leon County Pre-Trial Probation Officer Jerilyn Harris requested an inmate be brought to the Pre-Trial Office, in reference to a subpoena. A correctional officer brought the inmate to the office and left the two alone. About 15 minutes later, Harris reported that the inmate was ready to be returned to his housing unit. The report states that the correctional officer became suspicious, as this was not the first time that Harris had requested to meet with this inmate. The officer directed the inmate through an x-ray scanner and noticed something concealed under his clothing. A search of the inmate uncovered a packaged italian deli sandwich from Publix, packaged pastries from Starbucks, four Snickers candy bars, and a king-size Reese's candy bar.

The arrest report states that the inmate told investigators Harris was an ex-girlfriend of his and he speaks to her regularly on the phone. He said Harris had given him the food but that he did not ask for the items and did not know she was bringing them.

The report says Harris denied giving any items to the inmate and suggested that he may have stolen the items from her possessions while the two were in the office.

Harris was arrested and booked into the Leon County Jail. She bonded out Thursday evening.