Meck County sheriff fires detention officer accused of giving inmate contraband

CHARLOTTE — An officer at the Mecklenburg County Detention Center-Central has been fired for providing contraband to an inmate, officials said.

Officials said Detention Officer Marc Antoine began working for the sheriff’s office in April 2021. He was fired Wednesday evening. The Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office said they have opened an investigation into allegations against Antoine.

Officials said they found his actions to be a violation of North Carolina General Statutes § 14-258.1 furnishing poison, controlled substances, deadly weapons, cartridges, ammunition or alcoholic beverages to inmates of charitable, mental or penal institutions or local confinement facilities; furnishing tobacco products including vapor products; or furnishing mobile phones to inmates or delinquent juveniles.

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“I am extremely disappointed in the actions and conduct of this officer,” Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden said. “Over the past several weeks we have taken great measures, including forming a new specialized Tactical Response Unit, to maintain safety and security at the detention center and to respond to the needs of our staff only to discover many of our efforts may have been compromised. I am still proud of the dedicated men and women who continue to stand firm on the Oath they took to become a detention officer.”

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