Contracted Prison Worker Arrested for Trafficking

MIAMI COUNTY, IN - Saturday morning, a joint drug investigation by Indiana State Police Detective Mike Tarrh and Indiana Department of Correction Internal Affairs Officer Lorna Harbaugh has resulted in the arrest of Michael J. Newman, 22, Peru, IN. Newman, a contracted food service employee at the Miami Correctional Facility, was charged with two counts of trafficking with an inmate and an additional charge of conspiracy to traffic with an inmate, all class C felonies. He was also charged with a class D felony count for possession of marijuana over 30 grams.  

During the course of the investigation, officers obtained information that Newman would be attempting to deliver marijuana to an inmate inside the Miami Correctional Facility. Saturday morning, near U.S. 31 and State Road 218 (south junction), troopers from the Indiana State Police initiated a traffic stop on an Oldsmobile Bravada, which Newman was driving. A subsequent search of the Oldsmobile revealed Newman was allegedly in possession of approximately a half pound of suspected marijuana. He was incarcerated in the Miami County Jail. He has since posted bond. 

This is an ongoing criminal investigation with more arrests expected. No further information will be released at this time. 

Detective Tarrh was assisted in this investigation by Indiana State Police Detective Tony Frawley and officers from the Indiana State Police Drug Enforcement Section.