Former Fulton County Jail employee charged with distributing phones and cigarettes to inmates

FULTON COUNTY, Georgia. – Former Fulton County Jail security guards now face prison time themselves after being arrested on charges of supplying inmates with contraband.

The Fulton County Sheriff's Office announced the arrest of four contract employees: 34-year-old Laquana Ballard, 26-year-old Regina Harris, 24-year-old Anesia Silas and 26-year-old Aisha Tate. All four are accused of delivering various types of contraband, including cell phones and cigarettes, to inmates.

In addition to the smuggling charges, Ballard is accused of sending explicit photos and videos to an inmate, while Tate is accused of engaging in sexual acts with an inmate. The accused former employees all worked on the same two floors of the prison.

Investigators have also linked four inmates to these crimes, charging them with conspiracy to commit a crime and possession of prohibited items. Fulton County Sheriff Pat Labat released a statement condemning the actions of the former employees: “These women unfortunately chose to put themselves on the wrong side of the law by fraternizing with residents. They will now face the consequences for the crimes they are alleged to have committed.”

The sheriff's office has confirmed that this is an ongoing investigation and additional charges may be filed.