A Texas defense attorney has been arrested and accused of being a “major supplier” of dangerous narcotics in jail by sneaking inmates papers laced with drugs, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office said.
77 year old Ronald Henry Lewis faces two felony counts of bringing a prohibited substance into a correctional facility. Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez says investigation began after increasing numbers of inmates required emergency treatment for what appeared to be emergency overdoses.
Officials learned narcotics were being smuggled into the jail in the form of paper; “that was sprayed or dipped with a chemical compound” according to Lt. Jay Wheeler. Police say one month later, the unit received information that an attorney was bringing illegal narcotics to several inmates in the jail.
Officials say the sheets of paper in question were often disguised as mail or legal documents, and laced with narcotics including ectasy and synthetic marijuana, sold for $250-$500. A warrant for Lewis was issued November 9th. Police say 154 sheets of paper laced with narcotics were confiscated.
Wheeler said investigators are working with Texas Rangers to see if any narcotics Lewis introduced to the jail led to the death of an inmate.
Officials said Monday that it is believed other attorneys are involved in narcotics surfacing at the jail and the investigation is ongoing.
According to the State Bar of Texas, Lewis has been a licensed attorney since 1982.
He is reported as having been released from jail after posting $15,000 bond.
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