JASPER, Ala. (AP) - A Walker County corrections officer was charged with bringing cellphones to prisoners in the county jail in exchange for money, authorities said.
Billie Michelle Hester, 44, of Adamsville was charged with two counts of promoting prison contraband, the sheriff's office said in a news release.
Hester received more than 400 calls from inmates during the two months she worked at the Walker County jail, the statement said, and she allegedly brought several cellphones into the jail in return for $250 for each.
"We take any allegations of misconduct against our employees seriously. Most of the time those claims are unfounded, especially from inmates, but in this case there was merit to the information we received," Sheriff Nick Smith said in the release.
Court records were not available Thursday to show whether Hester had a lawyer who could speak on her behalf.