Four arrests were made over four days in two separate failed contraband drops at the Washington State Prison in late July.
On Friday, July 28, Washington County Sheriff’s Deputies and the Georgia Department of Corrections K9 Unit collaboratively arrested two individuals attempting to smuggle contraband into the prison in Davisboro.
L’Yondo Ware, age 17, of Hephzibah and an unnamed15-year-old juvenile from Augusta were detained and charged with a felony trading with inmates without the consent of the warden, misdemeanor criminal trespass, and possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute.
Three days later on Monday, July 31, on-patrol deputies stated that they observed a suspicious vehicle in the vicinity of the Washington State Prison. Upon making contact, they discovered that two on-board individuals were in the process of making an illegal contraband drop via a drone.
Washington County Sheriff’s Deputies and Prison Officials confiscated both illegal drugs and a prohibited firearm.
Ahmad Hany Essam, age 25, of Augusta and Michael Bernard Hazley, Jr., age 21, of Stone Mountain were arrested and charged with felony possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute and felony trading with inmates without the consent of the warden.
Essam was also charged with felony possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.
“The Washington County Sheriff’s Office and the Georgia Department of Corrections will continue to work together to stop this criminal behavior,” said Washington County Sheriff Joel Cochran.
