'All about the money:' Augusta sheriff launches investigation into drug smuggling deputies

Alexandra Koch, Augusta Chronicle
·2 min read
1

A Richmond County deputy was fired and arrested Monday after being accused of bringing contraband into the Charles B. Webster Detention Center. However, in a press conference Tuesday, Sheriff Richard Roundtree said a larger investigation into deputies smuggling drugs into the detention center has been launched.

Deputy Arrington Mursier is charged with possession of scheduled I narcotic with intent to distribute, conspiracy to distribute scheduled I narcotic and violation of oath by public officer.

The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division received information Saturday that Mursier was involved with bringing contraband into the detention center, according to a news release from the sheriff's office. Mursier was seen on camera leaving his assigned workspace, removing an inmate, entering a utility closet and passing an unknown object to the inmate.

Sheriff Richard Roundtree speaks to the media at a press conference at the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday, June 27, 2023.
Sheriff Richard Roundtree speaks to the media at a press conference at the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday, June 27, 2023.

The cellblock was locked down and a search of the inmate's cell was conducted, according to Roundtree. Deputies found a large quantity of synthetic marijuana, with an estimated street value of $195,000.

A search of Mursier's home revealed additional contraband, already wrapped and packaged for potential distribution, according to Roundtree.

Since September 2021, 24 Richmond County deputies and investigators have been arrested, Roundtree said. Eight of the arrests were not job-related, but 10 of the remaining 16 arrests were related to bringing contraband into the jail.

"We as a command staff consistently ask ourselves, 'Are we doing something wrong? Are we missing something in the hiring process? Are we not providing enough training?'" he said. "All of these issues have exhaustedly been addressed and discussed, and yet, misconduct is still occurring..."

UGA data breach: University System of Georgia contract and emails reveal more information about data breach

Tik Tok famous: 'It feels amazing': Augusta University medical artist hits 2.4 million likes on TikTok

Roundtree said the only constant truth the sheriff's office has been able to detect is monetary gain.

"It's definitely appeared to be all about the money," he said.

Deputies bringing contraband into the detention center receive an average of $2,000 per drop, according to Roundtree.

"We average over 1,000 inmates daily, 900 of them are charged with felonies," he said. "The job is hard."

More charges and arrests are expected, according to Roundtree.

Mursier began his employment with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office on June 11, 2022 and was assigned to the detention center, according to the release.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Deputy arrested for distributing drugs in Augusta jail