Mellen woman charged with intent to deliver illegal articles to inmates

A Mellen woman is accused by authorities of attempting to smuggle drugs into the Ashland County Jail, likely to distribute them to inmates.

Nicole Schutte, 39, stood mute Thursday to charges of possession with intent to deliver schedule five drugs, possession of a controlled substance on or near certain places and deliver illegal articles to an inmate.

According to the criminal complaint, Schutte turned herself in at the jail on May 5 to serve a 24-hour sentence ordered by Circuit Court Judge Kelly McKnight. She was escorted by authorities to the locker-room to change into a jail uniform. During this time, she asked where she would be held and was told in the holding area. She then asked if she could be held in the general population area, and was told no repeatedly.

She was booked and subjected to a body scan. While reviewing the scan, authorities noticed a lump in the lower half of the scan. Authorities went to her cell to discuss the matter.

Schutte claimed it was a tampon, saying she was menstruating and asked for more menstrual pads.

Authorities observing via camera footage then noticed Schutte dropped something down her pants. Schutte argued about the matter, but eventually handed authorities 15 pills. The pills were determined to be 800-milligram Gabapentin pills. According to the American Addiction Centers, Gabapentin is used to treat epilepsy and is also taken for nerve pain. But abuse of the drug is on the rise. People who misuse Gabapentin may do so to elicit certain subjective effects, such as a euphoric high, feelings of relaxation or calmness, sedation, improved or elevated mood or intoxication similar to being drunk.

Schutte was subjected to another body scan. This time no lumps appeared.

Law enforcement determined Schutte intended to deliver the pills to other inmates, according to the criminal complaint.