An early Monday morning raid at a Georgia youth detention facility resulted in the discovery of drugs and the arrest of a corrections officer.
The officer, 28-year-old Darrion Tarver, was accused of bringing enough marijuana to distribute into the Muscogee Youth Development Campus. He was terminated following the arrest.
Department of Juvenile Justice Commissioner Tyrone Oliver condemned Tarver’s alleged actions, saying they “endangered the safety of his coworkers and other youth at the facility.”
“This surprise raid shows our commitment to uprooting any contraband to maintain facilities that are safe and secure,” he said in a statement. “My top priority is to change the culture here at DJJ and that means holding myself and all personnel to the highest level of professional conduct.”
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Officers with the department’s security management response team and internal investigations unit raided the Muscogee County facility before dawn Monday. In addition to the drugs, they found cellphones, cellphone chargers and tobacco products, all prohibited items under Georgia law, according to the agency.
An investigation into contraband at the facility is ongoing.
Tarver was arrested on charges of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, crossing the guard lines with prohibited items and violation of oath of office. Tarver had been with the department since September 2015.
He is being held in the Muscogee County Jail without bond.
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