Law enforcement officers arrested 10 people in connection with an alleged contraband conspiracy at the Carter County Detention Center.

On Friday afternoon, Carter County Sheriff Dexter Lunceford announced the arrests came as the result of an investigation by his department and by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

“On Sept. 28, 2014, I requested the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation conduct an inquiry concerning introduction of contraband into the Carter County Jail,” Lunceford said. “A Carter County Sheriff’s Office internal investigation had revealed that a correctional officer was delivering contraband that included drugs and tobacco to inmates.”

In October 2014, the Sheriff’s Department announced a corrections officer had been fired as part of a contraband investigation at the detention center.

At the time of the announcement, CCSD Capt. Jeff Markland said on Sept. 28 Corrections Officer Kenneth E. Turner Jr. was “caught attempting to bring contraband along with narcotics to inmates within the detention center.” Officers were able to seize the contraband before Turner was able to bring it inside the facility, he added.

Turner was fired after the incident, Markland said.

The department received a tip that Turner was bringing contraband into the detention center, Markland said.

After Turner was caught bringing in the contraband, the case was turned over to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Markland said.

As a result of the TBI investigation, a Carter County grand jury returned 15 indictments on 10 people, one of whom was Turner, Lunceford said.

“Law enforcement must be held to a higher standard, and although investigations of this type may take several months to complete, this kind of conduct will not be tolerated,” Lunceford said. “We will do all we can within the laws of this state to stop it and to hold those who are criminally responsible accountable for their actions.”

As of Friday evening six of the individuals were still being held in the Carter County Detention Center while three of the individuals, including Turner, had already posted bond on the charges, CCSD Sgt. Mike Carlock said. The final individual is currently being housed in another jail facility but a hold has been placed on them, he said, adding that once that person is released from the other facility they will be brought to the Carter County Detention Center. All 10 of those arrested will appear in Criminal Court on these charges but as of Friday evening no court dates had been set.

The following individuals were arrested and charged in connection with the contraband investigation:

* Kenneth Edward Turner Jr., 23, no address available. Charges: three counts of official misconduct and three counts of introduction of contraband into a penal facility. His bond was set at $30,000.

* Brandon Rutledge, 29, CCDC inmate. Charge: introduction of contraband into a penal facility. His bond was set at $15,000.

* Ashlee Elizabeth Rutledge, 28, of 1981 King Springs Road, Johnson City. Charge: introduction of contraband into a penal facility. Her bond was set at $15,000.

* Adam Hannan, 26, CCDC inmate. Charge: introduction of contraband into a penal facility. His bond was set at $15,000.

* Ralph Wayne Whitehead, 40, CCDC inmate. Charge: introduction of contraband into a penal facility. His bond was set at $15,000.

* Bertie Nellie Hodge, 61, of 401 Rittertown Road, Hampton. Charge: introduction of contraband into a penal facility. Her bond was set at $15,000.

* David Tyler Livingston, 24, CCDC inmate. Charge: introduction of contraband into a penal facility. His bond was set at $15,000.

* Tara Nicole Nidiffer, 28, of 1564 Broad Street Ext., No. 2, Elizabethton. Charge: introduction of contraband into a penal facility. Her bond was set at $15,000.

* Jeremy Cole Hall, 25, CCDC inmate. Charge: introduction of contraband into a penal facility. His bond was set at $15,000.

* Clara Rickishia “Kisha” Oliver-Hall, 26, 1205 Thomas Blvd., Elizabethton. Charge: introduction of contraband into a penal facility. Her bond was set at $15,000.