EASTON, Pa. – An Easton woman is facing numerous charges after investigators said she smuggled a cell phone and drugs into Northampton County Prison — items later found in possession of two inmates.
Jessica Emeralda Morales, 23, was arrested Wednesday after an investigation by the Pennsylvania State Police and Northampton County Drug Task Force.
Morales is not a county employee but works as a medical assistant for a company contracted to provide health services to inmates, state police said.
She faces four felony charges for allegedly helping inmate Timothy Oliver Barr sell drugs at the prison.
According to investigators:
On April 13, a correctional officer was walking past Barr’s cell when he observed a flash of a light from a cell phone being held by Altajier Kyell Robinson, Barr’s cellmate.
Upon searching Barr and Robinson’s cell, officers discovered both an Apple iPhone 10 and approximately 68 grams of methamphetamine.
Through investigation, it was learned Barr was communicating with people outside the prison and discussing how he was selling methamphetamine from inside the prison.
It was determined the drugs and phone came from Morales, a medical assistant with the prison' contracted health care provider.
Morales faces four felony charges related to manufacturing, delivery or possession of controlled substances, along with criminal use of a communication facility. She faces a misdemeanor charge of possessing contraband.
Barr and Robinson face charges of manufacturing, delivering or possessing with intent to deliver a controlled substance, a felony.
They were also charged with possession of contraband.
According to court records, Morales was unable to post $50,000 cash bail and is committed to Northampton County Prison.
The state police Troop N VICE Unit and Northampton County District Attorney's Office assisted in this investigation.
