Two Arrested After Allegedly Plotting To Smuggle Drugs Into The Fentress County Jail

An alleged plot to bring drugs into the Fentress County Jail was foiled after authorities learned of the scheme through a series of phone calls.  According to a Press Release from the Fentress County Sheriff’s Department, on March 27, 2022, conversations on the Fentress County Jail Inmate Phone system were intercepted. The phone calls detailed a plan to bribe a correctional officer into bringing tobacco products into the jail. During the investigation, it was discovered that the inmate, Mr. James P Shrewsbury and his girlfriend, Miss Katelyn Phillips planned on adding narcotics into the tobacco products. Authorities developed a plan to intercept the drugs before they reached the inmates of the jail. On March 30, the Correctional Officer met with Sheriff Reagon and Detectives of the Fentress County Sheriff’s Department to arrange a meeting with Miss Phillips. The Correctional Officer then met with Miss Phillips and reportedly received a can of tobacco and payment of $300. Narcotics Detectives then opened the sealed can of tobacco. Located at the bottom of the can was approximately 1 gram of methamphetamine and 10 Subutex pills. Warrants were then issued for Mr. Shrewsbury and Miss Phillips. Mr. Shrewsbury was served while incarcerated at the Fentress County Jail. On April 1, 2022 Cookeville City Police located Miss Phillips and she was arrested on the outstanding warrant. Miss Phillips will also have pending drug charges from the Cookeville City Police.  According to the Press Release, Shrewsbury and Phillips were booked in the Fentress County Jail on $50,000 bonds.