OKLAHOMA CITY — Two Lawtonians were among the first group of people listed in a state Department of Corrections announcement Friday that it will post all arrests on Facebook and X “to increase transparency” in its operations.
Janisha Lashell Johnson, 48, and her son, Christian Da’Vyon Johnson, 20, were visiting an inmate at the James Crabtree Correctional Center in Helena on Jan. 31. Christian Johnson allegedly was “caught on camera passing contraband in the visitation room,” the DOC reported.
Both Johnsons were arrested and charged in Alfalfa County District Court with a misdemeanor: compounding a crime. Mother and son were booked into the Alfalfa County Jail and later released on their own recognizance. Their next court appearance is set for April 29.
“When laws are broken in or near its facilities, the Oklahoma Department of Corrections ensures accountability — whether the individual is staff or a member of the public,” the agency wrote in its announcement.
This includes arrests made by ODOC’s Office of Inspector General, as well as arrests by partner law enforcement agencies. Posts will include the individual’s name, charges, date of arrest and a brief summary of the incident. All information shared will comply with state law and respect due process, as all individuals are presumed innocent until/unless proven guilty, the DOC pledged.
“I’ve worked with Director Justin Farris to tell the full story of corrections,” said Chief of Public Relations Kay Thompson. “We highlight our successes, the hard work of our staff, and the positive changes within the incarcerated population. But telling the full story also means showing our challenges as well.
“When people violate the law, we hold them accountable, even if they are staff. This is why I’m glad we are now highlighting our efforts to keep our facilities safe. Our staff is dedicated and professional, but when bad actors appear, it erodes public trust and jeopardizes security. That’s why we need to showcase all aspects of the agency and champion the vast majority of our staff who are passionate about transforming lives and building a stronger Oklahoma.”
The arrests can be followed at https://www.facebook.com/ oklahomadoc and at https://x. com/OklaDOC.
The following are more of those arrested by the Corrections Department and charged since New Year’s Day.
•Lane Keith Palmer, 44, of Oklahoma City, was arrested Jan. 4 for throwing multiple packages over the fence at the Helena prison. He was apprehended shortly after the incident by the Helena Police Department and booked into the Alfalfa County Detention Center.
The packages contained tobacco, rolling papers, lighters and cellphones, officials reported.
Palmer was charged with unauthorized entry into a prison and bringing contraband into a penal institution. He was released from custody on a personal recognizance bond with $10,000 liability if he fails to return to Alfalfa County District Court on April 1.
•Visitor Amie Marie Sutton, 43, address not listed, was arrested Jan. 10 at the Allen Gamble Correctional Center in Holdenville for bringing in a cellphone, tobacco and drugs.
She was charged in Hughes County District Court with felony conspiracy and three counts of introduction of contraband (acetaminophen, hydrocodone, and a cellphone) into a penal institution. Her next court appearance is set for April 22.
•ODOC Correctional Officer Jeremy Davis, 31, of Heavener, was arrested Jan. 12 after an inmate was found with a phone.
After an investigation by the Office of Inspector General, Davis was charged with two counts of bringing contraband — a rifle and a pistol — into the Jim E. Hamilton Correctional Center at Hodgen, and conspiring with two inmates to whom Davis is accused of giving three cellphones, all on Jan. 8.
Davis was released on $30,000 bond and was ordered to appear in LeFlore County District Court with an attorney on April 10.
•Myazia Eugine Brown, 21, of Tulsa, arrived at the Dick Conner Correctional Center in Hominy on Jan. 30 with three duffel bags full of alcohol, tobacco, cigarettes, and cellphones. At that time, Brown was on probation for assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.
She was booked into the Osage County Jail and charged with bringing contraband into a penal institution. She was released on $5,000 bond and was ordered to return to court April 16.
•Lexington Correctional Center Officer Daniel Ackah, 55, was arrested March 18 after an alleged sexual assault of an inmate was reported. Ackah was booked into the Cleveland County Detention Center and charged in district court with rape by instrumentation and sexual battery.
•Staff member Connie Killman, 55, of Okeene, was observed pushing a cart in the parking lot of Great Plains Correctional Center at Hinton on Feb. 18. Several cellphones were hidden in the cart — but two of them had fallen out in the parking lot; Killman brought the other four into the facility.
She was booked into the Caddo County Detention Center and charged with one count of bringing contraband into a penal institution, a felony.
Killman was released from custody on $5,000 bond and was ordered to return to district court May 21.