Third suspect arrested in DeKalb County Jail contraband drop operation

DECATUR, GA –– The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office has arrested another person suspected of providing contraband to DeKalb County Jail inmates.

The agency’s “Eyes in the Sky” surveillance operation that began several weeks ago targets individuals outside the jail who place contraband inside of bags that inmates lower to the grounds surrounding the housing towers after breaking cell windows. The “drop” is then retrieved by inmates inside the cell.

The DeKalb Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit yesterday arrested Luis Bernardez, 17, of Stone Mountain, Georgia, who is charged with Crossing State/County Guard Lines with Weapons, Intoxicants, Drugs Without Consent – a felony. The suspect was wearing an ankle monitor at the time of his arrest from an unrelated incident.

In March, sheriff’s deputies arrested two other suspects who were allegedly involved in a contraband drop. Jamal Jones, 32, and Kaya Eberhart, 19, were taken into custody on Conspiracy to Commit a Felony. Jones had three other felony charges. In conjunction with that incident, the agency brought additional charges against six individuals already in custody.

Bernardez is being held at the DeKalb County Jail without bond. The operation is ongoing.