Criminal defense attorney arrested, charged with bringing contraband into Columbus jail

A local attorney involved in some of Columbus’ more prominent criminal cases has been arrested after visiting the Muscogee County jail, authorities said.

Allen Jones, 51, is accused of taking prohibited items into the facility.

Sheriff Greg Countryman said Jones was arrested Wednesday for taking packages of drugs and other contraband into the jail, and faces 10 felony counts.

Investigators said Jones used several small envelopes to smuggle the items into the jail, and also brought in cell phones, a coveted item among inmates. “Cell phones will sell for about $2,000 in the jail,” the sheriff said.

The packaged items Jones brought in were marked for specific inmates, the sheriff said. Jones met with an inmate who was not his client, Countryman said: “The attorney made a transaction with the inmate and immediately left the jail.”

Investigators seized the contraband and got warrants for Jones’ arrest, he said. Besides drugs and cell phones, they found tobacco and rolling papers, and strips of paper saturated with a substance that also may be a drug, said sheriff’s Investigator Michael O’Keefe.

Jones is charged with seven counts of having prohibited items in the jail, and one count each of possessing ecstasy with the intent to distribute it, possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it, and crossing a jail guard line with prohibited items, the sheriff said.

Jones’ law practice is based in Phenix City, but he’s licensed in both Alabama and Georgia.

Among the more serious cases he has handled was a double homicide last year on the Phenix City Riverwalk. He has been representing Damon Daniels Jr., who’s accused of gunning down Darrelyn “Darren” Harris and John Arthur Burkus on Dec. 3.

Russell County District Attorney Rick Chancey said Daniels is set for arraignment on April 26. The suspect has a second attorney, Joshua Fleitas, so that hearing won’t have to be postponed, he said.

Jones’ other cases won’t proceed to trial in Russell County until his status is clear, Chancey said.

Columbus District Attorney Stacey Jackson said Jones may be allowed to continue practicing law until the state bar takes action to suspend him.