HAMILTON COUNTY, Fla. (WTXL) - A former nurse at a North Florida correctional facility has been arrested after she was caught smuggling in contraband for an inmate.
The Florida Department of Corrections’ (FDC) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) announced the arrest of former contract nurse Traci Mickel. Mickel is charged with introducing contraband into a state correctional facility.
According to an arrest affidavit, officers conducted an interdiction operation at Florida State Prison West Unit on December 19, 2017. As part of the operation, narcotic detection trained K9s were brought in to check staff members as they entered.
When Mickel passed by one of the K9s, the dog alerted to the presence of contraband on her person. When confronted, she agreed to an unclothed body search.
During the search, officers found six bundles of tobacco, one Bic lighter, and four head coverings or 'do-rags.' Mickel admitted to investigators that the items were for an inmate inside the facility.
Investigators then searched Mickel's car and found several Western Union money wire transfer receipts that were placed into evidence. When asked about the receipts, Mickel openly admitted that the money wires came from the inmate's acquaintances.
After an investigation, the Bradford County State Attorney's Office filed criminal charges against Mickel for introduction of contraband. Following her arrest, Mickel was transported to the Hamilton County Jail.
