Clements Unit Officers Caught in Meth Smuggling Ring

It seems that even in prison here in Amarillo, drugs continue to be an issue. It's no secret that Amarillo has long been a hub of sorts when it comes to drugs, and we've seen plenty of arrests for either drug trafficking or possession with intent to distribute.

However, this one definitely is something a little different, and now it's got sentencing attached to it.

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Drugs Being Smuggled To Inmates

It all went down at the Clements Unit in Potter County. Normally, it's the inmates who typically get caught with the drugs, then get drilled on how they got their hands on them. My guess is officials weren't expecting to hear the answer on this one.

A corrections officer and former prison guard were working together to smuggle drugs into the unit. Veronica Wertz and Ricky Eugene Hall conspired together to get meth into the prison and distributed it to inmates from there.

How Did They Get Them Into The Prison Unit

It all started with the inmates and Hall working together. The inmates would use a burner phone to communicate with Hall, arranging drops at different places in Amarillo. Hall would then pick up the drugs and conceal them in his correctional officer’s vest and leave it at another location.

That's where Wertz came in. She would pick up the drugs and bring them into the unit. She also admitted to receiving drugs through the mail and would bring them inside the unit for the inmates. She was also romantically involved with one of the inmates.

The Trial And Sentencing

As we all know, when you get caught for something you're guilty of, you get convicted, and then a sentence is handed down. Now, Hall and Wertz get to become one of the inmates they became so friendly with.

Back on June 9, Hall was sentenced to 97 months behind bars, and on August 4, Wertz joined him as she received a sentence of 57 months in federal prison for her role.