By Pat Culverhouse
A Minden man didn’t have far to go to get locked up after he allegedly attempted to enlist an undercover agent to smuggle an illegal substance into Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center.
Webster Parish Sheriff Jason Parker said 36-year-old Deshun Hendon, an inmate at BDCC for a little more than a year on an aggravated flight charge, is now facing two counts that should extend his time behind bars. Parker said Hendon has new charges of possession of CDS Sch. I (synthetic marijuana) with intent to distribute and introduction of contraband into a correctional facility.
Hendon reportedly contacted an individual inside the prison, offering cash to smuggle contraband into the facility. After receiving report of the contact, members of the Sheriff’s drug enforcement unit planned a sting operation with an undercover agent and Hendon’s reported accomplice, 34-year old Laverettica (a.k.a. “Erika”) Allen.
Capt. Bobby Igo III, head of the Sheriff’s Office drug unit, said officers set up surveillance on the prearranged meeting place outside the prison to record the transaction.
“We had both audio and video surveillance, with our unit using listening devices and our drones to record the meeting between the undercover agent and Allen,” Igo said. “We already had information on Allen through previous contact.”
Igo said videos show Allen handing the undercover agent a bag containing two decks of playing cards and cans of tobacco.
“When we checked the items, we could tell the lids of the tobacco cans had been opened and resealed,” he said. “Two cans contained smoking tobacco, which is not allowed for inmates, and two other cans contained synthetic marijuana which was to be smuggled inside.”
A warrant for Allen was obtained and she was taken into custody the following day, Igo said.
“We arrested her on the warrant when she pulled into the parking lot of the courthouse and after we made contact and searched her vehicle, we found a small amount of marijuana and pills that we believe were methamphetamine,” he said.
Allen reportedly has been booked for possession of methamphetamine, three traffic warrants and introduction of contraband into a correctional facility. Igo said the introduction charge is the result of video evidence showing her making hand-to-hand delivery of the illegal substances.
Parker said Hendon has been transferred to another correctional facility.
“Some inmates will try to get illegal items smuggled into prison, and we’re doing what we can to prevent that from happening,” he said. “The diligence of people inside the prison and the good work of our drug unit paid off with these arrests.”
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
