Correctional officer, 8 others facing charges in NC prison drug-distribution ring

ALAMANCE COUNTY, N.C. — Nine people, including a Department of Public Safety correctional officer, are facing charges in a prison drug-distribution ring throughout North Carolina, officials said, WTVD reported.

Samuel Lee Perkins, 62, of Burlington was the ringleader of a distribution network of Suboxone that stretched across North Carolina state prisons. The Suboxone went from a Durham Urgent Care through Perkins' network and into the prisons, according to authorities.

"This type of criminal activity is a slap in the face to the hardworking, underpaid employees of the NC Department of Corrections who keep our communities safe from those who choose to commit serious crimes in Alamance County and our great state," said Alamance County Sheriff Terry Johnson.

Officials said Lauren Del Zimmerman, 31, who worked as a correctional officer at the women's prison in Raleigh, was accused of conspiring with Perkins to deliver Suboxone.

Four inmates were also accused of being involved with the scheme.

As a result of the investigation:

• Perkins faces six felony charges and a misdemeanor charge.
• Zimmerman was charged with felony conspiracy to sell and deliver a Schedule III narcotic.
• Ashleigh Morgan, 28, from Rocky Mount faces a felony charge and is already serving time.
• Tyler Lee Orr, 22, of Burlington, faces two felony charges and two misdemeanor charges.
• Everette Gerard McCandies, 56, of Burlington, faces two felony charges and a misdemeanor charge.
• Allison Mae Craft, 29, of Ellenboro, faces a felony charge. She was already serving time.
• Julie Haskins, 30, of New Bern, faces one felony charge and was already serving time.
• Tracy Louise Pruitt Cochran, 46, of Eden, was already serving time and faces two felony charges in this case.
• Lisa Marie Harmon, 37, of Vilas, faces one felony charge and is already serving time.

(From top left to right: Perkins, Zimmerman, Morgan, Orr, McCandies; from bottom left to right: Craft, Haskins, Cochran, Harmon)

Officials said this is an ongoing investigation.

Cox Media Group