AMITE, La. — The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office announced the arrest of a former corrections deputy on Tuesday following an investigation into contraband at the parish jail.
According to TPSO, 21-year-old Tajah Phillips was arrested after several tips from the public were confirmed regarding "selling and providing" illegal items to inmates.
Phillips was booked on Tuesday for one count each for the following charges:
- Introducing Contraband in a Correctional Facility
- Malfeasance in Office
Phillips, who had been a TPSO Corrections employee since June, was immediately terminated by Sheriff Gerald Sticker upon arrest.
“One of the main focal points of my administration has been the jail– not only its security but its functionality and operations. Success in all of these elements centers around the people who work there,” said Sticker, “In the midst of us actively elevating the professional development, standards and expectations of our corrections deputies with certified training, we have this abuse of position happening. The habits of the past have no place in this culture change we are establishing at TPSO.”
The TPSO said it is thankful for the public’s assistance in this case, and urges anyone with information about any crime to please report it directly to the sheriff's office or by anonymously calling Crimestoppers at 1-800-554-5245.
This investigation is ongoing.
