8 Putnam County inmates transported to CRMC for drug overdose of fentanyl/heroin

According to a press release issued by Putnam County Sheriff's Office, at approximately 3:33 p.m., on July 13, 2023, 8 female inmates were given emergency medical treatment for snorting (ingesting through the nose) what is believed to be a mixture of heroin/fentanyl and were transported to Cookeville Regional Medical Center.

Sheriff  Eddie Farris said, “An investigation was initiated immediately by the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division. The investigators soon confiscated what is believed to be a mixture of heroin/fentanyl from Nicole Danielle Ealey. Ealey is currently incarcerated for illegal drug activity within Putnam County and has been confirmed for being one of the individuals for bringing the illegal heroin/fentanyl inside the jail. Jasmine Richelle Lancaster has been confirmed as being the second individual of bringing in these deadly illegal drugs into our facility. Witnesses, statements, and other evidence has confirmed that both Ealey and Lancaster smuggled the heroin/fentanyl into the jail through one of their body cavities while being admitted into the jail on July 12, 2023. Later Ealey and Lancaster distributed, assisted, and provided the illegal narcotics to other inmates in their pod area causing the overdoses and near deaths to some of the inmates.”

Major Tim Nash, Jail Administrator, said, “Even though inmates are strip searched and scanned while being admitted into our facility, items inside a body cavity are not able to be seen at times.”

All of the individuals listed below have been charged with Simple Possession/Casual Exchange for the July 13 incident

Krystal Gail Auxier who is currently incarcerated for 3 counts of Violation of Probation (Criminal).

Racheal Lee Blackard who is currently incarcerated for Indictment (Vehicular Homicide Driver Intox/Reckless Endangerment).

Sarah Elisabeth Miller who is currently incarcerated for GS Failure to Appear and 2 counts of Violation of Probation.

Jamie Sue Bullard who is currently incarcerated for Violation of Probation (Criminal).

Chantel Renee Keagle who is currently incarcerated for 2 counts of Manufacture, Sell, and Delivery of Methamphetamine, Fabricating or Tampering with Evidence, and GS Failure to Appear.

Sarah Nichole King who is currently incarcerated for Violation of Probation (Criminal).

Angie Lanette Taylor who is currently incarcerated for 2 counts Manufacture, Sell, and Delivery of Methamphetamine, Fabricating or Tampering with Evidence, Indictment for Schedule I, and Indictment for Schedule II.

Brittany Lynn Bryant who is currently incarcerated for Indictment of Schedule II, GS Capias Failure to Appear, 2 counts of Violation of Probation (Criminal), and GS Capias Failure to Appear.

In addition, Ealey has been charged with 5 counts of Attempted 2nd Degree Murder, Introduction of a contraband inside of a penal facility, and Simple Possession/Casual Exchange for her role in yesterday’s event.

Lancaster has also been charged with 5 counts of Attempted 2nd Degree Murder, Simple Possession/Casual Exchange, and Introduction of contraband in a penal facility for her role in yesterday’s event.

At the time of this release, 3 inmates had been released from CRMC and returned to the Putnam County Jail while 5 others were admitted to CRMC for overnight care.

Sheriff Farris stated, “I am glad that none of the corrections officers or inmates have died due to the use or exposure of the deadly drug fentanyl. There were over 100,000 overdose deaths across the nation last year. And 90 percent of our inmates in Putnam County are incarcerated for illegal drug activity whether it be through direct or indirect activity.”