More Crisp jail contraband arrests with Ashburn connections

Ongoing investigation leads to new arrests of guard, inmate and jail visitor

CORDELE, GA – An ongoing investigation into the alleged smuggling of contraband into the Crisp County Detention Center has led to the firing and arrest of another jailer, new charges against an inmate and the arrest of a jail visitor.

Crisp County deputies say last Friday, 30 year old Ashley Glenn of Ashburn was arrested on two counts of
crossing guard lines with drugs, three counts of furnishing prohibited items, and two counts of possession of
drugs.

Deputies say they intercepted a package containing contraband the previous week, netting Glenn her criminal charges.

Also charged and accused is Travis Waters, a 33-year-old male from Ashburn. Much like Glenn, Waters is charged with two counts party to a crime (crossing guard lines with drugs), three counts party to a crime (furnishing prohibited items), and two counts party to a crime (possession of drugs).

Then Monday, another newly hired jailer was fired and arrested on contraband charges. Crisp County deputies identify him as 32 year old Quinton Coates from Ashburn.

In a Tuesday press release, Crisp County Public Information Officer Haley Wade says Coates was terminated from the Crisp County Sheriff’s Office and immediately placed under arrest. Investigators determined that Coates accepted money in exchange for bringing tobacco into the Detention Center. Coates is charged with bringing prohibited items to inmates and violation of oath by public officer.

According to the release, Coates just recently began his employment with the Crisp County Sheriff’s Office in April and was assigned as a Detention Officer.

“I am determined to keep our reputation and integrity at its highest level. I’ve made a commitment to be
transparent, even when one of our own employees does wrong. No one is exempt, and no one is above the law.
We will continue to be extremely diligent in our efforts of running a clean, safe, and drug-free facility,” stated Crisp County Sheriff Billy Hancock.

The current investigation began with the June 21st arrest of Vienna’s Jhayvion Smith, a now fired Crisp jail employee accused of smuggling cigarettes and suspected controlled substances.