The jail where Danelo Cavalcante escaped from in Philadelphia has once again found itself in the spotlight. This time, a prison officer has been accused of smuggling and dealing drugs within the facility. The charges against the officer highlight the ongoing issues with corruption and illegal activity within the prison system. It is a serious crime that undermines the safety of both the inmates and staff, and the consequences for those involved can be severe.
On Tuesday, 27-year-old Antoine Williams faced charges of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and unlawful activity.
A man from Philadelphia allegedly smuggled drugs into Chester County Prison by concealing them inside rolls of bin bags. The drugs were found during a routine inspection, leading to his arrest and charges of drug possession with intent to distribute. The incident highlights the ongoing issue of drug smuggling in prisons across the country and the need for stricter security measures to prevent such illegal activities.
According to reports, Mr Williams’ supposed plan fell apart after a fellow inmate informed a prison officer that his ex-cellmate had been given suboxone by him.
It was reported that Jonathan Aguilera, the prisoner who shared the cell, was purportedly compensated via Cash App for his assistance in distributing the narcotics to fellow inmates.
According to the office of District Attorney Deb Ryan, another inmate reported a few days later that Mr Williams had been selling suboxone, tobacco, and K-2 by hiding the drugs in small trash bags.
It has been alleged by authorities that Mr. Williams had a habit of frequently smuggling Suboxone, Marijuana, and Percocet into the prison.
According to reports, the manner in which drugs were being distributed within the prison was unorthodox and similar to the method used by another inmate a few months prior. The distribution of drugs appears to have been a recurring issue within the facility.
Despite the severity of the situation, the inmate was quickly apprehended and brought back into custody.
According to a statement from DA Ryan, should Mr. Williams be found guilty of the charges, he will face the full extent of the law.
According to her statement, the accused was employed as a correctional officer with the responsibility of maintaining law and order within the prison. However, he misused his position of power and authority, completely neglecting his duties and violating the law.
“We firmly believe in the principle that no one is exempt from the law. As such, my office is committed to ensuring that those who engage in unlawful activities are held accountable for their actions. We extend our gratitude to the Chester County Prison and the Chester County Detectives for their thorough investigation into this serious violation.”
Mr. Williams is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on October 18th, with a bail set at $150,000.
Over a month has passed since Cavalcante, a convicted murderer, escaped from the detention center by using an unusual method. He crab-walked up a wall and pushed through razor wire to reach the roof of the prison. The recent chaos is happening in the same detention center.
The escape of Cavalcante sparked a two-week search conducted by multiple agencies and resulted in severe backlash directed towards the jail’s leadership.
On the 13th of September, a Border Patrol special operations unit was able to apprehend him after evading authorities for 14 days.
To prevent any future incidents, the jail has announced its plans to install over 75 new surveillance cameras around its premises.
On the morning of August 31st, Cavalcante managed to escape from the jail located in Pocopson Township at approximately 8:50am.
After the escape, it was discovered that the tower officer responsible for monitoring the area where Cavalcante’s block was located failed to inform the staff. As a result, the officer was dismissed from their position just a few days after the incident.
During a routine head count following a basketball game, his block returned at 9:50 am and the absence of the inmate was discovered.
After the incident, the jail immediately went into lockdown mode and notified the 911 center within 10 minutes.
As he roamed around, Cavalcante’s resourcefulness showed as he successfully stole a van and traveled a distance of over 25 miles. Additionally, he made visits to his past associates and made off with a .22 rifle.
On the morning of September 13th, the Pennsylvania State Police made an announcement about the apprehension of Cavalcante. The police K-9, Yoda, played a significant role in the capture as he was released onto Cavalcante after the latter was tracked down in a wooded area and resisted arrest.
Once he was apprehended, he disclosed to the authorities the tactics he used to evade capture for a period of two weeks. He resorted to stealing watermelons from a nearby farm to sustain himself during the time he was on the run. He also employed a clever method of concealing his feces to avoid leaving behind any evidence of his whereabouts.
Afterward, he was relocated to State Correctional Institution Phoenix, which is a high-security prison located in Montgomery County.
