Two charged in contraband drop at JCCC
July 13, 2022
Two people, one on foot and one in a vehicle, didn’t have matching stories but both have been charged with attempting to introduce contraband into James Crabtree Correctional Center (JCCC).
Court records show on the morning of July 1, Agent Christopher Graves, Oklahoma Department of Corrections (ODOC), received a call from Helena Police Chief Jim Dykes who said he had a man in custody. The man, later identified as Carl Morton, was found on JCCC property. Dykes said a Chevrolet SUV with a paper tag had been seen in the area around the same time Morton was found.
Graves drove toward Helena to meet with Chief Dykes. While on the way, Graves received two text messages from Dykes saying prison officers found a drop and the driver of the SUV was in custody by County Grocery.
Graves met Dykes in the County Grocery parking lot in Helena. Chief Dykes said Morton had denied knowing the driver of the SUV, Eva Robles, but Robles identified Morton as her husband. Dykes handed Graves a handheld two-way radio, saying Morton had one on his person when contacted and a second was found in the SUV.
Graves handcuffed Robles and took her to the Helena Police Department. Graves then stopped at JCCC and took possession of a black backpack before returning to the police department. He later found the bag contained five cellular phones, five SIM cards, approximately eight pounds of loose smoking tobacco, phone charging cords and ports, cigarette lighters, three portable phone chargers, rolling papers and a set of wireless earphones.
At the police department, Agent Graves interviewed Robles after she was read her Miranda Warning and agreed to speak without an attorney present. Robles said she and Morton left Oklahoma City to drive to Pryor so she could see her kids. Robles said Morton drove and she slept. Robles said when she woke, they were lost which caused them to argue. Robles said Morton got out of the vehicle, and she drove away. Robles said Chief Dykes contacted her before she could find Morton.
Graves asked Robles for permission to look at a text message thread on her phone. She agreed and unlocked the phone. Graves found the text message thread had a conversation about where a package was to be hidden at or near JCCC. The thread included aerial photos of JCCC property.
Graves then conducted a post-Miranda Warning interview with Morton. He told Graves that he and Robles left Oklahoma City to drive to Pryor to pick up kids. He said Robles was driving because he does not have a driver’s license. Graves explained that he knew the story was a lie because of the text messages. When confronted with the text messages, Morton decided he wanted to stop the interview.
Graves transported Morton to the Alfalfa County Courthouse. At the courthouse, Morton said he wanted to speak to Graves without an attorney. Morton was reminded of his rights, and stated he understood.
Morton stated he forced Robles to drive for him because he couldn’t make the delivery without a driver. Morton stated he crossed a fence onto JCCC property and left the black backpack. He said he knew the bag contained tobacco, and he believed it also contained cellphones and SIM cards. Morton stated that he sent and received the messages on the cellphone. Morton also stated that he was communicating with an inmate at JCCC.
On July 6 in Alfalfa County, Carl L. Morton, 51, of Oklahoma City, was charged with conspiracy, possession of cellphone or electronic device in penal institution, and unauthorized entry into prison, all felonies.
The first charge is punishable by imprisonment for up to 20 years, or a fine of up to $5,000, or both. The second is punishable by imprisonment for up to two years, or a fine up to $2,500, or both. The third is punishable by imprisonment for one to five years and a fine of $500 to $1,000.
Eva Robles, 36, of Oklahoma City, has also been charged with conspiracy, a felony.
Morton’s bond was set at $15,000 while Robles’ bond was set at $10,000. Both are scheduled for Aug. 3 court appearances.
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