South Carolina Ex-Correctional Officer Indicted for Sneaking Drug-Laced Books into Prisons

By Ronald Rodriguez Last updated Sep 4, 2025

South Carolina – A shocking drug-smuggling operation involving a former correctional officer, a former inmate, and the inmate’s brother has been uncovered, revealing an elaborate scheme to send synthetic cannabinoids and Suboxone into 14 state prisons across South Carolina. The trio allegedly used books as a cover to mail drug-laced packages, raising alarms about the rampant contraband infiltration affecting prison safety.

How the Drug-Smuggling Operation Unfolded

The South Carolina Department of Corrections detailed that the defendants disguised hundreds of strips containing synthetic cannabinoids and Suboxone inside packages purportedly containing books. These packages were mailed from the Woodruff Post Office between March and June 2025 to multiple prisons.

The accused include Shataysha Quneeka Lewis, 36, who was formerly employed at the Evans Correctional Institution until 2019; Devin Jamaal Kershaw, 41, a former inmate who spent two decades incarcerated for charges including kidnapping; and his brother, Coure Romaine Terry, 36.

Lewis faces charges including possession and distribution of Suboxone and synthetic marijuana, providing contraband to prisoners, and criminal conspiracy.
Kershaw is charged with possession of Suboxone, possession of a firearm by a felon, furnishing contraband, and criminal conspiracy.
Terry was charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.

Evidence and Investigation Insights

According to court documents, video surveillance confirmed Lewis’s role in sending the suspicious packages. At least 20 inmates reportedly received these drug-laced books. Investigators gathered substantial evidence from inmate statements, recorded prison phone calls, and seized contraband cell phones.

The investigation received significant support from multiple agencies, including the U.S. Postal Investigation Unit, the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office, and the Woodruff Police Department.

“We fight daily schemes from criminals trying to bring contraband into our prisons, and I will not tolerate it,” stated South Carolina Department of Corrections Director Joel Anderson. “These drugs are poisoning our inmates and are a danger to our staff. I am thankful we are holding these people accountable for the harmful situations they create.”

Broader Context and Similar Cases Nationwide

This case is part of a disturbing national trend involving the smuggling of drug-soaked materials into correctional facilities. Recent cases include:

A New York woman pleading guilty in March 2025 to manufacturing synthetic cannabinoids and mailing drug-soaked documents to inmates across multiple prisons.
An August 2024 allegation against a Chicago correctional officer attempting to introduce similar substances into Cook County Jail.
A 2022 sentencing of a South African woman to one year in prison for orchestrating a scheme smuggling drug-laced packages into Ohio prisons.

For more detailed information about this investigation and the nationwide issue of contraband in prisons, visit the official report from CBS News here.

What Does This Mean for Prison Security and Inmate Safety?

The case highlights the persistent vulnerabilities within prison systems to contraband smuggling. Enforcement agencies continue to strengthen surveillance and investigative techniques to counter these illicit operations. However, the involvement of former staff and inmates underscores the challenges in fully securing correctional institutions.

The case emphasizes the need for comprehensive background checks and monitoring of prison staff.
It stresses increased vigilance around postal and package handling procedures.
Collaboration between law enforcement and correctional departments remains crucial to disrupt these dangerous networks.

What do you think about this discovery? Have you ever visited South Carolina prisons or studied correctional facility security? Share your thoughts in the comments below!