Guard charged with felony for allegedly smuggling pot into prison

STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) -- Payne County prosecutors charged a prison guard Tuesday with a felony in connection with the smuggling of marijuana into the Cimarron Correctional Center near Cushing.

Ramona L. Johnson was arrested about 11 p.m. Monday when she admitted carrying contraband inside her uniform shirt, authorities said.

Cushing Police Officer Terry Brannon said in an affidavit that Johnson surrendered two small black plastic baggies wrapped in electrical tape. Both contained marijuana, the affidavit said.

Johnson claimed she was going to give the marijuana to a male inmate to avoid threats against her children, the affidavit stated.

The 35-year-old was charged with felony marijuana possession in a prison, and misdemeanor drug paraphernalia involving the plastic baggies. Bail was set at $2,500 on the felony and $500 on the misdemeanor.

Jim Keith, assistant warden at the Cimarron Correctional Center, said Johnson had worked at the facility about six months. She was dismissed after her arrest.