Four Arrested In Jail Scheme

Four people suspects face charges after an attempt to supply prisoners at the county jail with contraband.

Curtis Demetrius Gowans, 36; Christopher Jerome Taylor, 47; Latonya Willis, 40; and Savannah Willis, 38, face charges of conspiracy, possession with intent to manufacture sell, and deliver narcotics and marijuana;  providing contraband to an inmate; possession of contraband at a jail; and contributiing to the delinquency of a minor.

The sheriff’s office reported that on Oct. 11, Sgt. F. Blanton was contacted by Lt. S. Rogers after inmates were allegedly breaking sprinkler heads. The inmates were taken outside while the repairs were made, where they allegedly attempted to retrieve contraband that had been tossed inside the fences.

Warrants show Gowans, Latonya Willis and Savannah Willis were charged with conspiring with Semaj Bethea, Bobby Toons and Latonya Willis to provide tobacco, THC wax, methamphetamine, and 11 bags of marijuana to inmates in the detention center.

Latonya Willis and  Christopher Taylor allegedly conspired with  Sheldon Jarrett Barnes and Notorious Taylor to provide drugs and tobacco to Notorious Taylor by having a 17 year old juvenile toss the contraband over the fence at the county detention center.

Deputies recovered 6.16 grams of marijuana, loose tobacco, THC wax, and 2.3 grams of meth, the CCSO reported.

Gowans was held under $15,000 secured bond. He faces four counts of felony conspiracy, possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver meth and marijuana; maintaining a vehicle for drug activities; and providing tobacco or vape products to an inmate. His address was listed as 426 W. Columbus St., Whiteville.

 Latonya Willis gave her address as 101 Brookberry Lane, Whiteville. Her bond was set at $10,000 on three counts of conspiracy and one of contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile.

Savannah Nicole Willis was also placed on a $10,000 bond under four charges of conspiracy, possession of narcotics on detention center property; possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver opiates, meth and marijuana; littering hazardous materials and providing tobacco or vape products to an inmate. She was also served with outstanding warrants for assault by pointing a gun and communicating threats. Her address was listed as 430 Ward St., Whiteville.

Taylor was charged with three counts of conspiracy, and held under no bond. His address was listed as 402 W. Lewis St., Whiteville. He was arrested in December for a shooting in Whiteville.