KCSO Provides More Information On Inmate Who Allegedly Trafficked Fentanyl In Jail

March 18, 2022 at 12:48 p.m.

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Inmates constantly try ways to smuggle contraband and illegal drugs into jails and prisons across the United States. The opioid epidemic exists not only on our streets; but within correctional facilities as well, according to a news release this morning from the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Office.

On Thursday, criminal felony charges of dealing in a narcotic drug, trafficking with an inmate and possession of a narcotic were filed against Franklin Dean Hibshman Jr., an inmate at the Kosciusko County Jail.

The probable cause affidavit alleges that Hibshman was able to surreptitiously circumvent the security protocol of the Kosciusko County Jail and smuggle fentanyl, a synthetic opiod, into the jail, the release states. Fentanyl has been identified by law enforcement officials as the reason for a substantial number of overdoses due to its dangerous and deadly potency.

The probable cause affidavit alleges that on Monday, Kosciusko County jail officers were notified of a medical emergency in one of the cellblocks. Upon arrival, officers found a male inmate suffering from an apparent overdose. After reviving the male inmate with the use of Narcan, the male inmate then described another inmate who had provided fentanyl to him. Through this description, officers identified Hibshman.  Hibshman, currently incarcerated in the Kosciusko County Jail, has three unrelated pending felony cases of possession of a narcotic drug, possession of methamphetamine and possession of a syringe. Records indicate that Hibshman was previously convicted of felony possession of a narcotic drug and methamphetamine in Elkhart County, the news release states.

During the investigation of fentanyl in the cellblocks, which included the assistance of Kosciusko County deputies, K-9 units and specialized agents from the Narcotics Enforcement Team of Kosciusko County (NET43), officers believe that the source of the fentanyl was identified and, also, a powder was located during the cellblock search which was positively identified as fentanyl.

NET43 is a collaborative law enforcement unit, consisting of officers from the Warsaw and Winona Lake Police Departments, the Indiana State Police and the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office. If you have information on suspicious drug activity, drug trafficking, or drug suspects; please contact NET43 at [email protected] or by telephone at 574-372-2494.

Inmates constantly try ways to smuggle contraband and illegal drugs into jails and prisons across the United States. The opioid epidemic exists not only on our streets; but within correctional facilities as well, according to a news release this morning from the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Office.

On Thursday, criminal felony charges of dealing in a narcotic drug, trafficking with an inmate and possession of a narcotic were filed against Franklin Dean Hibshman Jr., an inmate at the Kosciusko County Jail.

The probable cause affidavit alleges that Hibshman was able to surreptitiously circumvent the security protocol of the Kosciusko County Jail and smuggle fentanyl, a synthetic opiod, into the jail, the release states. Fentanyl has been identified by law enforcement officials as the reason for a substantial number of overdoses due to its dangerous and deadly potency.

The probable cause affidavit alleges that on Monday, Kosciusko County jail officers were notified of a medical emergency in one of the cellblocks. Upon arrival, officers found a male inmate suffering from an apparent overdose. After reviving the male inmate with the use of Narcan, the male inmate then described another inmate who had provided fentanyl to him. Through this description, officers identified Hibshman.  Hibshman, currently incarcerated in the Kosciusko County Jail, has three unrelated pending felony cases of possession of a narcotic drug, possession of methamphetamine and possession of a syringe. Records indicate that Hibshman was previously convicted of felony possession of a narcotic drug and methamphetamine in Elkhart County, the news release states.

During the investigation of fentanyl in the cellblocks, which included the assistance of Kosciusko County deputies, K-9 units and specialized agents from the Narcotics Enforcement Team of Kosciusko County (NET43), officers believe that the source of the fentanyl was identified and, also, a powder was located during the cellblock search which was positively identified as fentanyl.

NET43 is a collaborative law enforcement unit, consisting of officers from the Warsaw and Winona Lake Police Departments, the Indiana State Police and the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office. If you have information on suspicious drug activity, drug trafficking, or drug suspects; please contact NET43 at [email protected] or by telephone at 574-372-2494.

Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092

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