The Delaware Department of Correction has announced the arrests of four individuals on drug-related charges as part of its ongoing efforts to prevent contraband from entering prison facilities.
Officials said on November 11, 2024, a drug investigation at James T. Vaughn Correctional Center (JTVCC) led to the arrest of 36-year-old Tyshekia Thomas (Left) of Wilmington, Delaware. She was observed passing concealed packages to 39-year-old inmate Markeevis McDougal (Left Middle) during a scheduled visit according to authorities. Officials said McDougal was immediately removed from the visitation area, and a search uncovered three packages containing approximately 8.93 grams of suspected marijuana and 140 Suboxone strips weighing 18.64 grams.
McDougal, a Wilmington resident who has been in custody since December 2019 and is serving a 23-year sentence for assault and firearm-related offenses, was charged with multiple crimes, including possession with intent to deliver controlled substances, promoting prison contraband, and conspiracy. He remains incarcerated at JTVCC.
Thomas was taken into custody by Delaware State Police and transported to Troop 9, where she was charged with similar offenses. She was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 11 and released on her own recognizance.
Authorities said this case follows a separate investigation at JTVCC on September 28, 2024, involving 34-year-old Amaryllis Figueroa (Righ Middle) of Newark, and 39-year-old inmate Jamaal Dearry (Right). During a scheduled visit, Figueroa was seen engaging in suspicious behavior indicative of passing contraband officials said. A subsequent search of Dearry revealed a package containing approximately 22.92 grams of paper laced with synthetic cannabinoids, 40 doses of sublingual Buprenorphine strips, and 4.64 grams of suspected marijuana added authorities.
Dearry, a Bear resident serving a 15-year sentence for firearm-related offenses since November 2014, was charged with crimes including possession with intent to deliver controlled substances and promoting prison contraband. He remains incarcerated at JTVCC. Figueroa was arrested by Delaware State Police, charged, and released on a $5,000 unsecured bond.
“Recent investments in enhanced mail screening across all of our correctional facilities to improve security and eliminate mail contraband have achieved those goals, but we have also recognized that this effort could drive an increase in schemes to smuggle drugs and other illegal contraband in through other means,” Department of Correction Commissioner Terra Taylor said. “Thanks to the active and continued vigilance by our highly trained Correctional Officers and facility investigation teams, we are meeting that risk head-on through the use of technology, monitoring, and other tools to keep our employees, visitors, and incarcerated individuals safe.”