Evansville woman arrested in connection with California police officer's death

Lina Portman4 weeks ago

7 1 minute read

Evansville woman arrested in connection with California police officer's death

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WFIE) – A 35-year-old Evansville woman and two others are charged in connection with the death of a correctional officer in California.

That's according to the U.S. Attorney's Office, which informs us that Stephanie Ferreira is accused of conspiring to smuggle drugs into USP Atwater, a maximum-security federal prison.

Authorities say Ferreira and a man named Jerman Rudd III conspired to send a letter containing drugs to inmate Jamar Jones for him to sell.

On August 9, authorities say a corrections officer at the prison opened the letter and fell ill minutes later.

The officer reportedly died after being taken to hospital.

We're told another correctional officer also felt unwell after coming into contact with the letter containing narcotics, but has thankfully recovered.

Ferreira is expected to be tried on that complaint in the Southern District of Indiana.

Authorities say that if Ferreira is convicted of conspiracy to distribute and distribute a controlled substance, she could face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

If convicted of providing or attempting to provide a narcotic to an inmate, she also faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and another fine of up to $250,000.