OSHP official ousted over smuggling plot

COLUMBUS (AP) — An Ohio State Highway Patrol official has been relieved of his duties in the fallout over an alleged smuggling plot involving prisoners working at the Ohio Governor’s Residence.

Patrol spokeswoman Lindsay Komlanc said Friday that Maj. Robert Booker was taken off his job as commander of investigative services. The office’s duties include protecting the governor.

Booker was already scheduled to retire next week.

Authorities say they believe a woman planned to leave tobacco behind the mansion for an inmate worker Jan. 9. They chose to warn the woman and not stage a bust, partly out of concern for Gov. Ted Strickland’s safety.

A related report shows that several pouches of tobacco were found at an inmate work site at the residence Jan. 13.