Guard accused of smuggling marijuana into Louisiana prison

ANGOLA, La. (AP) — A master sergeant at the Louisiana State Penitentiary was arrested after a shift change check found marijuana hidden in a disinfectant wipe container, the Department of Public Safety and Corrections said in a news release Wednesday.

West Feliciana Parish sheriff’s deputies arrested 52-year-old Janice Coney of Zachary on Sunday on charges of bringing contraband into a prison and possessing an illegal drug, the statement said.

She had worked at the state’s maximum-security prison since mid-August 2005.

It was not clear whether Coney has an attorney who could speak for her.

The corrections department said she is on leave while the incident is investigated.