Florida

Corrections Officer Suspected of Smuggling Contraband Into Miami Prison Arrested

A corrections officer suspected of smuggling contraband into a Miami prison was arrested Thursday morning after fleeing when staffers attempted to inspect her car, officials said.

Miami Dade police took Officer Evelyn Bruton into custody after she fled the Everglades Correctional Institution on Southwest 187th Avenue, Florida Department of Corrections officials said. 

Officials said the prison set up an inspection checkpoint after evidence appeared to indicate that Bruton was smuggling contraband into the building. When prison staffers approached her car to conduct a K-9 inspection, Bruton fled the scene, officials said.

Bruton, donning her official corrections officer uniform, led Miami-Dade police on a brief pursuit that ended in the area of Southwest 152nd Street and Florida's Turnpike, officials said. It's unknown what exact charges she'll face.

Officials didn't say what the contraband items were but Miami-Dade Police said their narcotics bureau detectives were on the scene.

The department of corrections released a statement calling Bruton's actions "unacceptable."

"FDC is committed to preventing all avenues of contraband introduction to ensure the secure operation of our correctional institutions," the statement read. "The Department has zero tolerance for the introduction of contraband, and any officer found to be engaging in the introduction of contraband is subject to arrest and dismissal."

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