NEWS RELEASE
MICHIGAN STATE POLICE
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CHIPPEWA COUNTY - A woman from Redford, Mich. has been arrested and arraigned in court after smuggling drugs and communications items into a correctional facility.
The Michigan State Police (MSP) Sault Ste. Marie Post is announcing the arrest of 41-year-old Frances Ramirez-Huerta from Redford, for smuggling contraband into the Chippewa Correctional Facility in Kincheloe, Mich. Ramirez-Huerta was arrested following a collaborative investigation with Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) staff.
On Jan. 11, MDOC personnel at the Chippewa Correctional Facility became suspicious after observing unusual behavior by a prisoner during a visitation. Upon reviewing surveillance footage, it was discovered that Ramirez-Huerta, who had been visiting an inmate in the MDOC visitation room, had smuggled items into the facility. Surveillance footage revealed that Ramirez-Huerta had concealed items in the waistband of her pants, which were covertly given to the prisoner during the visit.
A subsequent search of the prisoner led to the discovery of two bundles of contraband. The first bundle contained 140 suboxone strips. The second bundle contained seven grams of marijuana flower in packaging, as well as two SIM cards for cellular devices. As a result of the investigation, Ramirez-Huerta has been arrested for the following offenses:
- Controlled substance-creation/delivery of an analogue
- Controlled substance-delivery/manufacture marijuana
- Controlled substance-maintaining a drug house
- Furnishing contraband to a prisoner in prison
- Furnishing a cell phone to a prisoner
Ramirez-Huerta was lodged in the Chippewa County Jail. She has been arraigned in the 91st District Court where her bond was set at $1,000 with conditions. She is next scheduled to be in court on Jan. 27. She is considered innocent unless proven guilty.
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