Woman arrested for alleged drug-smuggling attempt

A 42-year old Los Angeles woman was arrested at 1 p.m. Saturday for allegedly smuggling heroin and marijuana into the Calipatria State Prison, the prison reported.

Jessica Neal Gideon was reportedly approached by correctional staff after inmate Marion J. Harris was allegedly observed reaching into her waistband to retrieve an unknown object when the pair had embraced in the facility’s visiting room, a prison press release stated.

The couple was separated and a subsequent search of Harris revealed two bindles, one containing 79.5 grams of suspected heroin worth an estimated $59,625 in prison, and a second containing 12.4 grams of suspected marijuana worth an estimated $3,100 in prison, the press release stated.

The evidence collected allegedly linked both Gideon and Harris to the crime. Harris, who was previously convicted of possession of cocaine for sale and assault with a firearm, was medically cleared and placed in Administration Segregation.

Gideon was booked into county jail and is facing felony charges that if convicted could result in three to five years in prison.