Battle Creek Teen Among Three Arrested in Upper Peninsula Prison Drug Smuggling Scheme

Two Kalamazoo men and a 16-year-old Battle Creek teen are facing serious felony charges after allegedly attempting to smuggle drugs into a prison in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

State investigators say the trio tried to leave a small package at the Newberry Correctional Facility in Luce County.

Prison staff were alerted to the plan ahead of time and contacted authorities.

According to Michigan State Police, 27-year-old Trayvonte Brown and 32-year-old Daquarius Turner were arrested during a traffic stop after correctional workers discovered the package in the prison yard.

The duct-taped package contained 100 grams of methamphetamine and four ounces of THC wax, a particularly potent concentrate of marijuana.

Lieutenant Ben Eckola with MSP says this type of incident, known as a "drug drop," is something law enforcement takes very seriously.

"If they think that they can get away with that, you know, that's something that they probably have tried in the past," Eckola said.

In addition to the felony charges for possession with intent to distribute and bringing contraband into a prison, Brown and Turner also face misdemeanor charges of contributing to the delinquency of a child due to the teen's involvement.

The 16-year-old Battle Creek boy faces similar charges to the two men.

Under Michigan law, the suspects could face up to 20 years in prison on the meth charges alone.

Bond for Brown and Turner has been set at $10,000 each.

The case highlights ongoing challenges with drug smuggling attempts at correctional facilities across the state.

Prison officials say contraband is often smuggled in through various methods, including visitation, facility workers, or by throwing packages over prison boundaries.

Frequently Asked Questions About Prison Drug Smuggling in Michigan

What are the penalties for smuggling drugs into a Michigan prison?

Under Michigan law, bringing contraband into a prison is a serious felony offense.

Suspects can face up to 20 years in prison for drug-related charges alone, plus additional penalties for contributing to the delinquency of a minor if a teen is involved.

How do prisons detect drug smuggling attempts?

Correctional facilities use multiple methods to detect contraband, including staff training to recognize suspicious behavior, visitor screening, inmate mail inspection, and intelligence gathering from tips.

In this case, prison staff received information about the planned drug drop before it occurred.

What should Battle Creek parents know about teen involvement in drug crimes?

Parents should be aware of who their teens are associating with and monitor their activities.

Teens can face serious legal consequences even when involved with adult co-defendants, including felony charges that can impact their future opportunities.

Early intervention and open communication about the dangers of drug involvement are key prevention measures.