Cook County corrections deputy hit with more charges, allegedly gave cell phone to inmate

Cook County corrections deputy arrested for trying to smuggle drug-soaked paper into jail, officials say

A Cook County corrections officer was arrested Friday morning and appeared in court after dozens of sheets of paper soaked in illegal drugs were found at her home.

CHICAGO – A Cook County corrections deputy who was already charged with drug-related crimes now she is accused of allowing an inmate to use her cell phone to text and view pornography.

In August, Shadonna Jones, 54, was fired and placed on unpaid administrative leave after investigators found dozens of drug-soaked papers at her home on July 25. They also seized an iPhone and an Android device, as well as a letter. addressed to Jones that appeared to be written by an inmate at the Cook County Jail.

In the letter, the inmate said he sold the papers for $10,000 a page and that Jones would be paid $2,500 for each package of papers she could bring into the prison.

While being interviewed by investigators, Jones — according to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office — said she received the documents from an inmate’s family member and was paid $1,000 to accept them. Investigators noted that Jones denied that he intended to deliver the documents.

Laboratory results of the work confirmed the presence of MDMB-BUTINACA, a synthetic cannabinoid.

The new charges include a Class X felony for delivering electronic contraband to an inmate and a Class 3 felony for official misconduct.

Shadonna Jones, 54, of Lynwood, is charged with one count of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver (Cook County Sheriff’s Office)

Investigators say Jones allowed an inmate to use his Android phone. A forensic examination of the phone showed that the inmate used it on July 13 to surf pornographic websites, take selfies and chat on Facebook Messenger. Further investigation of her iPhone records shows that Jones exchanged text messages with the inmate during his shift and was assigned to the same level as the person seen in the photos and Facebook account.

Jones, of Lynwood, was hired as a deputy in 2019 but had been on leave due to a work-related injury sustained during a fight between inmates. An internal investigation into her employment is ongoing.