Former Mercer County corrections officer charged with supplying contraband to inmates

MERCER, Pa. (WKBN) — A former corrections officer at the Mercer County Jail has been charged with providing contraband to inmates.

Charles Arn, 54, faces charges of delivery of a controlled substance; controlled substance contraband to confined persons; criminal use of a communications facility in commission of a felony; and possession of fentanyl.

Arn is accused of supplying chewing tobacco, vape pens and fentanyl to inmates at the jail in August and using his cell phone to access cash app payments inmates made to purchase the contraband items.

The allegations are detailed in an affidavit and criminal complaint that was filed Oct. 3.

Arn was arraigned Oct. 3 and has a preliminary hearing Nov. 21 at the Mercer Borough District Justice’s office.

The affidavit said the investigation after authorities with the district attorney’s office received word Aug. 30 from the warden of the jail that two employees had been selling contraband items to inmates. One of them, who was selling vape pens and THC to inmates, resigned, the affidavit said, and the other employee was Arn.

Investigators interviewed an inmate who said he purchased four cans of chewing tobacco from Arn for $50 each, the affidavit said. That same inmate also said he purchased fentanyl from Arn for $600 and the inmate had his girlfriend make payments through Cash App, the affidavit said.

The inmate said he was required to purchase four cans of chewing tobacco every time he made a purchase from Arn, the affidavit said.

Arn was also interviewed and he admitted to selling the inmates candy, the affidavit said.

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