An officer at the Westville Correctional Facility has been arrested on suspicion of trying to traffic drugs. The Indiana Department of Correction says Correctional Officer Dennis Cousins, 27, of Hammond, is accused of trying to bring drugs into the facility when coming on shift Friday. The investigation reportedly turned up what officers suspect to be Suboxone, a prescription drug used to treat people who are dependent on opioids.
Cousins was taken to the LaPorte County Jail. He faces potential Level 5 felony charges of trafficking a controlled substance with an inmate and bribery, along with a Class A misdemeanor charge of possession of a schedule III controlled substance. The LaPorte County Prosecutor’s Office will decide on formal charges.
The Department of Correction says Cousins was hired back in June. He’s been suspended without pay until the investigation is complete.
