An Elkhart resident was arrested Tuesday on charges of possession of marijuana and intent to traffic with an offender after the Indiana Department of Corrections (DOC) said that she attempted to smuggle marijuana and contraband to an offender on a visit to the Westville Correctional Facility (WCF).

Booked into the LaPorte County Jail on those charges was Keshia Bates, 28.

According to DOC, Bates intended to visit Dietrich Perkins, who is serving a 10-year sentence for dealing cocaine, imposed by Elkhart Superior Court.

Correctional officers tasked with searching visitors found not only marijuana in Bates’ possession but also a prohibited cellular telephone and battery, DOC said, and WCF Internal Affairs and the Indiana State Police were dispatched to investigate the incident.

“Once again, I commend our staff for their professionalism and dedication to ensuring the safety and security of this facility,” WCF Superintendent William Wilson said.

“I also extend my appreciation to the staff for the thoroughness and diligence with which they perform their duties and responsibilities at the facility,” added DOC Commissioner Edwin Buss.

Both Wilson and Buss expressed their gratitude to the ISP for its “tremendous assistance and rapid response when called to the facility.”

DOC said that Perkins had been released in 2005 after serving a portion of his 10-year sentence for dealing cocaine and was on parole when he was arrested on a new charge of possession of marijuana. Perkins was returned to WCF and an additional sentence of three years imposed by Elkhart Superior Court after he was convicted on the charge of possession of marijuana. Perkins’ projected release date is Sept. 11, 2010.

Posted 5/27/2009