Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Detention and Corrections Bureau
-Detention Investigation Unit (DIU)
Janelle Albertson (Inmate; Arrest Charges Added)
DOB: 03/31/1987
Address: 1809 Glenville Drive, Clearwater
Arrested for Introduction of Contraband to a County Detention Facility; and Conspiracy to Introduce Contraband to a County Detention Facility
Mary Ann Albertson (Arrested; Mother of Janelle)
DOB: 01/08/1961
Address: 1809 Glenville Drive, Clearwater
Arrested for Introduction of Contraband to a County Detention Facility; and Conspiracy to Introduce Contraband to a County Detention Facility
What:
Detectives assigned to the Detention Investigation Unit (DIU) have charged an inmate and arrested her mother after the two organized a scheme to smuggle; and then smuggled prescription pills into the Pinellas County Jail.
When:
Detectives say the investigation began on July 22, 2014.
Inmate’s mother was arrested on July 31, 2014.
Where:
The investigation was conducted at the Pinellas County Jail located on 49th Street in Clearwater.
Why/How:
According to investigators between July 22, 2014 and July 27, 2014, 27-year-old, inmate Janelle Albertson conspired with her mother, 53 year-old Mary Ann Albertson, to introduce various prescription pills into the Pinellas County Jail. Deputies assigned to the Detention Investigations Unit began to investigate the case after detention deputies received a tip.
The investigation revealed that the women devised a plan in which Mary Ann Albertson would deliver and hide various prescription pills in a public restroom at the jail. The pills would then be recovered by an inmate worker who would in turn deliver the contraband to Janelle Albertson in her housing unit at the jail.
Through various investigative techniques, detectives learned that Janelle Albertson was selling or trading each pill for approximately $50 worth of items of value -such as commissary products, phone cards, and a pair of Nike shoes. Deputies say the pills were also used for personal consumption.
Deputies say deliveries of pills to the jail occurred on at least two occasions during the above mentioned time frame.
On July 31st, investigators discovered various pills to include Morphine, Cyclobenzaprine, Xanax, Soma and Dilaudid concealed in one of the public restrooms.
On July 31st, 2014, deputies arrested Mary Ann Albertson at her Clearwater home for Conspiracy to Introduce Contraband to a County Detention Facility and Introduction of Contraband into a County Facility. She was subsequently transported to the Pinellas County Jail without further incident. Janelle Albertson was charged with Conspiracy to Introduce Contraband to a County Detention Facility and Introduction of Contraband into a County Facility.
The investigation continues.