Cook County inmate faces felony charge for drug-soaked paper as jail nears 40th incident

CHICAGO — A Chicago man, already jailed in Cook County on various possession charges, faces an additional felony charge after allegedly being found with dozens of pieces of drug-soaked paper hidden in his pants.

Cook County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday announced a one-count unlawful possession of contraband inside a penal institution charge against 22-year-old Keon Brown. Deputies say a routine pat down of Brown yielded the alleged discovery of 14 homemade envelopes, each containing two strips of suspected drug-soaked paper.

Deputies say Brown is the 38th person charged in connection with possessing or smuggling drug-soaked paper into Cook County Jail this year.

Brown’s incarceration began in October 2023 for unlawful use of a weapon and possession of a stolen motor vehicle.

It’s the second incident of alleged possession of drug-soaked paper at Cook County Jail in as many weeks.

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

Deputies announced last Friday, Aug. 16, that a Cook County Corrections Deputy faced a possession charge after allegedly being found with dozens of drug-soaked sheets of paper.

A judge ordered Shadonna Jones, 54, of Lynwood, to be released pending trial. She is due back in court on Thursday, Sept. 19.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.