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Campbell continues investigations on cocaine found in jail
CAMPBELL
Police are still unsure how crack cocaine became hidden in a city jail vent as an investigation continues.
Police Chief Drew Rauzan said not only are officials uncertain how the crack cocaine got in the vent, their investigation has yet to determine whether it was placed there recently or as far back as a few months ago.
He added the jail has an inspection with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections some time next week.
Police caught two inmates at the Campbell City Jail vandalizing jail property by removing cocaine hidden in a heating vent in the lockup’s wall on Wednesday.
Robert Bollinger, 25, and Dominick Sankey, 24, both of Hillsville, Pa., were arrested Tuesday night in the back of the McCartney Road McDonald’s restaurant on felony charges of possessing heroin and three misdemeanor charges of possessing drug paraphernalia and drug instruments.
They were taken to the jail to await initial court appearances.
On Wednesday night, Bollinger and Sankey were caught on camera breaking the heating vent in a common area in the jail in an apparent effort to grab a bag of crack cocaine that was inside.
Police Sgt. Kevin Sferra said evidence may indicate the cocaine was brought into the facility, hidden in one of the inmate’s anal cavities, though the case remains under investigation.
Sferra said the crack cocaine was retrieved in the jail for investigation.
Rauzan said the facility has a 24/7 video monitoring system and in-person checks twice an hour. He said police have been monitoring all video footage of Bollinger and Sankey the past two days.
Lt. John Rusnak said the jail films anything that happens in the common area but not the cells to maintain privacy. He said both Bollinger and Sankey had full access to the common area while they were there.
Sankey appeared before court in Campbell on Friday morning; Bollinger stayed in St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital for medical issues. Sankey was returned to the Mahoning County jail after his court appearance to await his Dec. 12 court date.
Police also confirmed the damages in the jail purportedly made by Bollinger and Sankey have been fixed and the facility has been reopened for full use.