A Tennessee woman is facing second-degree murder charges after she allegedly slipped methamphetamines to an inmate — while kissing him — who later died from an overdose.
Rachel Dollard, 33, was reportedly visiting inmate Joshua Brown at the Turney Center Industrial Complex Prison in Hickman County, Tennessee, last February when the two shared a kiss. That is the point at which Dollard allegedly slipped Brown a “balloon pellet” that contained half an ounce of methamphetamine (about 14 grams, or 70 times the average dose).
According to the Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC), prison officials observed Dollard slipping the drugs to Brown, and he died at a local hospital shortly after swallowing the pellet. Brown was in prison on drug-related charges and his 11-year sentence was set to conclude in 2029.
TDOC’s statement read in part: “In February, Dollard was observed passing drugs to inmate Joshua Brown as the two exchanged a kiss during visitation at the Turney Center Industrial Complex … Brown swallowed a balloon pellet containing half an ounce of methamphetamine. He died later at a local hospital.”
On a warrant pursuant to a Hickman County sealed indictment, Dollard was arrested over the weekend by TDOC special agents and the Dickson County Sheriff’s Department. She was charged with second-degree murder and the introduction of contraband into a penal facility.
“This incident points to the real dangers of introducing contraband into prisons and the consequences that follow,” David Imhof, director of TDOC’s Office of Investigations and Conduct explained. “Our agency will pursue prosecution against any individual who threatens the safety and security of our staff, the men and women in our custody, and our facilities.”
TDOC has implemented a number of policies and procedures in recent years that were designed to cut down the incidences of contraband making it into the general prison population. Among them are vehicle searches and pat searches of anyone visiting the facility — as well as cell searches of inmates — and drug detecting dogs on the premises. TDOC is still in the process of installing body scanners in facilities throughout the state.