Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Charges are pending against three people for allegedly smuggling cigarettes into the Kosciusko County Jail.
According to officers with the Kosciusko County Special Operations Team, an inmate made arrangements with his girlfriend to drop off cigarettes at a designated location, and a trusty from the jail made the pickups.
Police said charges of trafficking with an inmate are pending against George O. Mann, 27, of the Kosciusko County Jail, and Lanyng C. Saul, 18, of 3 EMS T51C Lane, Syracuse. Charges also will be filed against Joseph Olivio, the inmate who allegedly facilitated the scheme.
Manns is an inmate in the KCJ who earned trusty status and works outside around the Justice Building and Kosciusko County Courthouse. SPOT members conducted a surveillance of Manns after receiving a tip that cigarettes were being brought into the jail. There is no smoking allowed in the jail and cigarettes are considered contraband.
Manns reportedly was operating a lawn tractor around the courthouse Sunday when officers saw him stop and get off the equipment. When he returned to the tractor, he was stopped and reportedly had cigarettes and money with him.
Police said that Olivio made arrangements with Saul via letters regarding when and where to drop off the cigarettes and cash. It is not known how long this has been going on, officials said. It has not yet been determined what charges will be filed against Olivio.
