Fentanyl Found Inside Cherokee County Detention Center

Earlier this month, staff at the Cherokee County Detention Center observed behavior that raised concerns about the possible presence of controlled substances within the facility. An immediate facility-wide search did not uncover contraband; however, follow-up interviews conducted by the Criminal Investigations Division identified individuals who may have been involved in the distribution of illegal substances.

As a result, procedures were implemented to separate these individuals from the general population. During this process, detention staff recovered suspected contraband concealed on the person of Ricky LeRoy Leistra Jr., 46, of Andrews. The substance was tested and confirmed to be 12.09 grams of fentanyl.

Leistra has been charged with Trafficking in Fentanyl and Possession of a Controlled Substance in a Prison/Jail Premises. Following his appearance before a magistrate, he was ordered held without bond.

A subsequent investigation by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division into how the substance entered the detention center led to the issuance of arrest warrants for Jeremiah Richard Green, 40, of Mineral Bluff, Georgia. Green is wanted on charges of Trafficking in Fentanyl and Possession of a Controlled Substance in a Prison/Jail Premises. Green is currently in custody in Georgia for a Trafficking in Fentanyl offense that occurred last week.

Sheriff Chris Wood stated, “No facility is ever 100 percent secure. It is our responsibility to implement policies and procedures that mitigate risk within our detention center. In this case, I am extremely proud of our staff for identifying a potential issue, following proper procedures, and resolving the situation. Our goal remains to operate the safest facility in the state.”

All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.