EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – Lance Brown, a 35-year veteran with the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, was arrested on Tuesday, July 30, in connection with smuggling synthetic cannabis into the El Paso County Jail Annex. Brown was charged with organized criminal activity and had a bond set at $10,000. He has since bonded out and resigned from his position.
The investigation began when authorities learned that an inmate at the Jail Annex was receiving illegal drugs, which were distributed to other inmates. Brown was identified as the person responsible for smuggling the drugs into the facility.
Court documents revealed that the drugs were synthetic cannabis. An inmate’s sister would apply the substance to sheets of paper, which were then handed over to the inmate’s girlfriend. The girlfriend would deliver the sheets to Brown, who was paid via an online cash transfer app.
The drugs were either smoked by the inmates or sold within the facility. Brown’s involvement was confirmed through an investigation that included monitoring the inmate’s communications and a search that found synthetic cannabis on papers in Brown’s possession.
El Paso County Sheriff Richard Wiles condemned the actions, emphasizing that criminal acts by Sheriff’s employees would not be tolerated.
Brown was dismissed from his duties after the discovery, and his resignation followed the arrest. The investigation continues as the Sheriff’s Office vows to hold those involved accountable.