Former Hamilton County Deputy Lonnie Hood was back testifying before a federal grand jury here this morning about possible illegal activities at the Hamilton County Jail since 1991.
One or two additional witnesses in the jail investigation were expected to testify before the grand jury later today.
Hood pleaded guilty to between five and seven charges earlier this year, then testified before a federal grand jury here last month for an hour.
Hood, 38, whose earlier sealed guilty pleas were made public by defense attorneys in early April, was one of seven defendants named in a 28-count federal indictment returned last December.
The indictment after a 14-month investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation and Internal Revenue Service charged conspiracy to distribute steroids in the jail, conspiracy to extort money from inmates for cigarettes, taking money from inmates for jury tampering and escape efforts, tax offenses and perjury.
It was claimed in the indictment against Hood and his co-defendants that the conspiracy to distribute steroids started in 1991.
Hood entered the grand jury room at 9:25 this morning and was still testifying at press time.
The six remaining co-defendants in the indictment have entered guilty pleas.
All seven defendants cooperated with government agents and prosecutors in a continuing investigation into possible additional offenses by others at the jail.
Other defendants who have pleaded guilty include former deputy Jeffrey Mahon, James Fugate, Anthony Nelson, Richard Bennett, Jon Phillips and James Hood, brother of Lonnie.
