MAURY COUNTY, Tenn.- Officials with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has uncovered a drug smuggling operation happening within the Maury County Jail.
In spring 2011 TBI officials received a tip about bribery and drug smuggling occurring within the Jail. During a July 2011 covert investigation, officials determined that Maury County Jail corrections officer Derek Turner, 37, of Mt. Pleasant was accepting cash as bribes to smuggle drugs into the jail for two inmates.
The inmates James Pierce, 40, and Benjamin Bradley, 35 were indicted as part of the investigation. Bradley's mother, Linda Chapman and Pierce's ex‐girlfriend Melinda Buie were also indicted for their involvement.
Turner resigned from the Maury County Sheriff's Department in July of 2011 and was indicted on several charges including official misconduct, bribery of a public servant and introduction of drugs into a correctional facility. He was arrested and booked into the Maury County on a $55,000 bond.
Both inmates, already serving time for unrelated charges were indicted on bribery charges and introduction of drugs into a correctional facility charges. Pierce was already serving a 19 year sentence. Bradley was serving a six year sentence.
Both Bradley's mother and Pierce's ex‐girlfriend were also charged with bribery and arrested. They booked into the Maury County Jail on $50,000 bond each.
