Nine people are facing charges after the Chesterfield County Sheriff's Office says it dismantled a contraband operation running inside the county detention center, one allegedly fed by a kitchen trustee collecting inmate orders and a food-service contractor worker bringing the goods into the facility during his own work shifts.
According to the Chesterfield County Sheriff's Office, investigators received a tip on Oct. 21 indicating that illegal contraband was being brought into the facility and distributed among inmates. As WPDE reported, that tip read simply: “On Oct. 21, investigators received information indicating that illegal contraband was being brought in, and distributed among inmates.” The sheriff's office said the investigation drew on its narcotics unit, criminal investigations division and detention center personnel.
Targeted Searches Turn Up Shanks, Phones and Drugs
Five days after the initial tip, on Oct. 26, investigators and detention center staff conducted a targeted search of several areas inside the facility. The search turned up six cell phones along with chargers, makeshift weapons, bolt-removal tools, cigarettes, unauthorized vapes, THC vape pens, earbuds, unauthorized food and illegal narcotics, among other prohibited items. The Link Paper, in its report on the case, described investigators recovering “six cell phones, cell phone chargers, makeshift weapons, including shanks,” as detailed by The Link Paper.
Investigators say they identified the people allegedly involved using the recovered electronic devices, communication records and evidence gathered through search warrants. At the center of the alleged scheme, authorities say, was 51-year-old Charles B. Allen of McBee, a trustee assigned to work in the detention center kitchen. Per the sheriff's office, Allen allegedly coordinated the sale and distribution of prohibited items to inmates, collecting orders and electronic payments that were then forwarded to a contractor employee outside the facility.
Alleged Pipeline Ran Through a Kitchen Contractor
That contractor employee, 42-year-old Rolando S. Wilson of Society Hill, worked for Skillet, the company contracted to provide food services at the detention center. The report notes that “Allen collected orders from inmates through electronic payments that were forwarded to Wilson in exchange for the prohibited items,” according to WPDE's account. Wilson allegedly purchased the requested items and then brought them into the detention center during his own scheduled work shifts.
Investigators also allege that additional individuals outside the facility arranged for purchased items to be delivered to Wilson so they could be introduced into the jail, widening the scope of the case beyond the two men at its center. Contraband recovered or linked to the scheme was distributed to inmates through Allen, according to the sheriff's office.
Nine Names, a Range of Charges
Wilson was arrested Oct. 29 and charged with two counts of contraband and conspiracy, while Allen was charged with contraband and conspiracy. Allison T. Brumbles, 49, of Chesterfield was arrested on Nov. 2, two days before the sheriff's office detailed the case, and was also charged with two counts of contraband and conspiracy.
Several additional defendants, all from Cheraw, face charges tied to the same investigation: Eric B. Sikes Jr., 28, was charged with contraband; Michael R. Johnson, 30, was charged with two counts of contraband and malicious injury to jail property; Jeremiah Wilkes, 20, was charged with contraband; Kenny Wingate, 49, was charged with possession of a controlled substance and contraband; and Raytonta R. Buchanan, 19, was charged with contraband. Marcus L. Gainey Jr., 20, of Pageland was charged with two counts of contraband and malicious injury to jail property. The sheriff's office said all individuals charged are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Safety Concerns and an Open Investigation
The sheriff's office said weapons and communication devices introduced into a detention facility create direct safety concerns for officers, staff and inmates alike, a point echoed in reporting from WSOC-TV. Officials said maintaining safety and security inside the detention center remains a priority, and they thanked the narcotics unit, criminal investigations division and detention center personnel for their work on the case.
The investigation remains active, and the sheriff's office said additional arrests and criminal charges are anticipated as the case develops. It is not the first time a Chesterfield County contraband case has centered on facility staff — WPDE has separately reported that Correction Officer Damarion McCaskill was accused of being paid by inmates to bring contraband into the jail and was charged with misconduct in office.
