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Former detention officer, already under investigation, charged with possession of fentanyl

CHESTER COUNTY, S.C. — A former Chester County detention officer is facing drug charges and an investigation into his job shortly after he was fired from the sheriff's office.

Justin Bates was charged Friday with possession of fentanyl, after authorities found the drug at his apartment on Pine Street. He bonded out of jail that day.

Police said Cierra Oxandaboure overdosed on the drug and was taken to a hospital. She was later charged with possession of fentanyl, as well.

Bates, who is her boyfriend, denied knowing anything about the drugs but later admitted it was fentanyl.

Chester Police Chief Eric Williams said he didn't know, at first, that Bates was in law enforcement.

Williams said it didn't make a difference in the arrest.

"That person's profession really doesn't come into play," Williams said. "We approach this situation like we would anyone else."

Channel 9 learned he was fired in September from his job as a detention officer.

Three days after Bates posted bond for the drug charge, he was rearrested by SLED agents who have been investigating him.

"We do have an active investigation," SLED said in a statement. "It is unrelated to the arrest from this weekend."

Bates was charged Monday on two counts of having sex with an inmate.

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