County corrections officer charged with smuggling contraband

A Marengo County corrections officer hired last October has been arrested for smuggling contraband into the county jail.

Alexis Hicks, 26, was arrested Tuesday, May 3, for promoting prison contraband II and promoting prison contraband III. She is accused of providing a pint of Seagrams gin, Newport cigarettes, pipe tobacco and vapes to prisoners in the jail, said Sheriff Richard Bates.

He said an investigation into the illegal items ensued after guards noticed the smell of tobacco when prisoners were being returned to their cells after being in the exercise yard.