Cook County Corrections Deputy allegedly found in possession of drug-soaked paper facing felony charge

CHICAGO — A Cook County Corrections Deputy has been charged after she was allegedly found to be in possession of dozens of sheets of paper that had been soaked in suspected illegal drugs.

54-year-old Shadonna Jones, a Lynwood resident, has been charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver. The charge was handed down on Thursday following an internal investigation by the Cook County Sheriff’s Office.

According to deputies, on July 25, a search warrant was executed at Jones’ home after the sheriff’s office investigated a tip about the alleged smuggling of drug-soaked paper into the jail.

During the search, investigators allegedly found an envelope that contained 48 sheets of paper that were stained and had a gritty texture, which deputies said is a common indicator of the presence of illegal substances.

During the search, investigators also allegedly found a letter addressed to Jones, which appeared to have been sent from someone in custody at the jail.

In the letter, the author allegedly described selling the paper for $10,000 a page and detailed that Jones would be paid $2,500 for each package of paper that she could bring into the Jail.

Following the search, during a meeting with investigators, Jones told authorities that she had allegedly received the papers from family members of an individual in custody, had been paid $1,000 to accept the papers, and added that the papers were intended to be delivered to someone in custody at the jail. However, Jones denied that she planned to deliver the paper.

The suspected drug-soaked paper was later sent to the Illinois State Police Division of Forensic Services for testing and results returned on Wednesday showed the presence of MDMB-BUTINACA, a synthetic cannabinoid.

Deputies said Jones, who had been hired as a Deputy in June of 2019, had been on “injured on duty” status since July 15, after receiving an injury while attempting to stop a fight between two inmates.

Jones was de-deputized on July 25 following her interview with investigators.

On Friday morning, Jones was taken into custody and made her initial court appearance where she was released pending trial. She is set to return to court on Sept, 19.

According to deputies, a separate internal administrative investigation is ongoing and Jones may face disciplinary action, including termination.

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