Prison guard accused of selling drugs to inmate

ANSON COUNTY, N.C. — An Anson County prison guard is facing criminal charges after police said he was selling drugs to an inmate.

Polkton police arrested James Dutton Jr. at Brown Creek Correctional Institute Wednesday morning.

Investigators said a tip led them to search Dutton's truck in the prison parking lot, where they said they discovered two bags of synthetic marijuana, nearly 24 grams in total.

Police said they believe Dutton had sold drugs to the inmate before.

State DOC officials said Dutton had worked at Brown Creek for a total of nearly seven years, and had been placed on an assignment where he had no contact with inmates following his arrest. Officials said Dutton, whose salary is less than $30,000, will continue to be paid while they continue their own investigation into his actions.

Residents who live in the area had not heard of the arrest and were disturbed by the allegations.

"I'm shocked! I don't think it should be going on," said one woman, who asked not to be identified because she knows other prison guards at Brown Creek.

"I think he should get just as much time as the person he sold it to in there," she said.

Dutton is facing felony possession charges.

Lanesboro Correctional Institute, which sits adjacent to Brown Creek in Polkton, remains under investigation by SBI agents.

Last month, Eyewitness News confirmed prison guards and staff had been the subject of an SBI investigation since December, for allegations of misconduct.

WSOC