A Powder Springs man was recently arrested after he allegedly tried to smuggle contraband, including jewelry, candy, and chicken wings, to inmates at the DeKalb County jail.

On Feb. 3, Michael Anthony Dixon, 45, was taken into custody by officials with DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office while he was on the premises of the DeKalb County Jail on Memorial Drive.

According to a news release, Dixon was detained by a sheriff’s deputy outside the facility while leaving the guard line area near the jail lobby with what was later identified as a box cutter in his possession.

“Further search of the area revealed a white bag hidden in a nearby bush,” stated officials. “The bag contained a variety of contraband items that authorities believe were destined to be hoisted up into an inmate cell through a broken window in a process that has come to be known as a ‘contraband drop.’ Among the items confiscated were marijuana, cocaine, loose tobacco, packs of cigarettes and lighters, cell phones and chargers/cords, jewelry, ear pods, keys, and glue gel. Also in the bag were sweets and cooked chicken wings.”

Dixon, who was arrested and booked into the jail, is charged with multiple felonies, including crossing the state/county guard line with weapons, intoxicants or drugs without consent and possession of marijuana and possession of cocaine. Dixon was also charged with criminal trespass, a misdemeanor.

Chief Deputy Randy Akies said Dixon’s arrest is part of Operation Eyes in the Sky, which was implemented last year as police noticed an influx of contraband at the jail. The program uses drones to patrol the exterior of the jail, as well as collect evidence and camera footage.

“Our Eyes in the Sky operation continues to be effective this year as we foil attempts by inmates and their co-conspirators on the outside to get illegal and potentially dangerous items inside the jail,” said Akies. “The safety of the intended recipients and others in our custody and on our staff is threatened by this practice, and Sheriff Melody Maddox has made it clear that it will not be tolerated. Offenders will be prosecuted within the full extent of the law.”

For more information, visit www.dekalbsheriff.org.

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