Authorities say a temp nurse working inside the Adams County Detention Facility crossed a hard red line, landing on the wrong side of the jail bars she was supposed to walk past every shift.
Investigators say 52-year-old Stephanie Bagwell, a temporary nurse at the jail, was arrested after deputies allege she slipped a piece of paper soaked in synthetic cannabinoids to an inmate inside the facility. Deputies took Bagwell into custody on March 3 and removed her access to secured areas of the jail. Detectives say they have identified additional suspects, including the inmate involved, and that the investigation is still active.
What The Sheriff’s Office Says
In a news release posted to Facebook, the Adams County Sheriff’s Office said detectives allege Bagwell “provided a synthetic cannabinoid-soaked paper” to an inmate inside a secured area of the detention facility. The agency says the case will be presented to the 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office for potential charges, according to the Adams County Sheriff's Office. Investigators say deputies arrested Bagwell on March 3 and that the names of other identified suspects are being withheld while the probe continues.
Staffing And Access At The Jail
According to the sheriff’s release, Bagwell was working as a temporary nurse through a contracted medical provider at the time of the alleged incident. The agency says she no longer has access to secured areas of the detention facility. Detectives say they have identified additional suspects, including the inmate who allegedly received the paper, but those names are not being released while investigators continue their follow-up, per the Adams County Sheriff's Office.
Why Synthetic Cannabinoids Are Dangerous
Synthetic cannabinoids, often sold under names like K2 or Spice, are lab-made chemicals that can be far more potent and unpredictable than plant marijuana. They are sometimes sprayed onto plant material or onto paper, which can then be smuggled into facilities such as jails. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that these compounds have been linked to clusters of severe illness and can cause life-threatening symptoms that may not appear on routine drug screens, and medical providers warn the products are unpredictable.
Investigations And Past Cases In Adams County
The sheriff’s office says the current case will be reviewed by prosecutors once detectives finish their investigation and submit it for review. Adams County has seen similar allegations before. A July 2025 sheriff’s news release describes a different contracted nurse who was arrested after controlled substances were found in secure areas of the detention facility, followed by felony charges filed by the district attorney, according to an Adams County Sheriff's Office press release.
What Comes Next
The 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office is expected to review the investigation and decide whether to file formal charges against Bagwell and any other suspects. In previous cases, prosecutors have pursued counts such as introducing contraband in the second degree and distribution, and whether similar statutes will be used here will depend on the DA’s charging decision and the evidence developed by detectives. Investigators are asking anyone with information related to the case to contact the Adams County Sheriff’s Office tip line.
