HOLMES COUNTY, Miss. ( WJTV ) – The Holmes County Sheriff’s Office is facing some staffing shortages after several people were terminated at the county jail.

Last month, Sheriff Willie March said a detention officer was arrested for distributing marijuana to an inmate. He said four others were fired for allegedly bringing contraband into the jail.

The sheriff said he personally arrested 53-year-old Johnny McDaniel. He was charged with introducing contraband to a correctional facility.

“I personally came down one morning myself. I got a tip in and walked in, and a correctional officer sitting there with a bag of marijuana inside a large tater chip bag. You can actually smell the marijuana,” said March.

According to the sheriff, surveillance video showed detention officers bringing bags inside the facility.

Another issue for the shortage is pay for the officers. March said officers are being paid $11 an hour, and he would like a more competitive wage.

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