Johnson County detention deputy accused of giving hydrocodone to another deputy

CLARKSVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — A warrant is out for the arrest of a detention deputy in Johnson County accused of giving hydrocodone to another detention deputy, according to court documents.

A probable cause affidavit said an investigator was asked by Johnson County Sheriff Tom Hughes for assistance reviewing footage from the jail’s cameras on April 4.

Hughes asked a narcotics officer and the investigator to look at the passing of two pills between two detention officers.

One of the deputies turned in statements which prompted an interview with detention deputy Lydia Ewing, the affidavit said.

In the interview, Ewing admitted to giving another deputy two pills and thought she was giving him Tylenol for his back pain but said she may have given him hydrocodone instead by accident, according to the affidavit.

Ewing said the hydrocodone was stored in a pill container with a Tylenol label.

The affidavit said camera footage shows Ewing getting a piece of gum, taking the wrapper out of camera view and coming back into sight giving the other deputy the wrapper.

The two white pills were sent to the Arkansas State Crime Lab as evidence.

The warrant for Ewing’s arrest was issued June 20, according to court docs.

Ewing faces a possession of controlled substance charge, a criminal information sheet filed on June 20 said. If found guilty, she could face up to six years in the Arkansas Department of Corrections and/or up to a $10,000 fine.

As of June 29, Ewing is still listed on the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office’s website .

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