GED Instructor Accused Of Smuggling Suboxone To Inmates

A high-school equivalency instructor at a Kentucky detention center has been terminated after being arrested for allegedly smuggling prescription drugs into the facility, officials said.

The Greenup County Detention Center said an investigation into illegal substances smuggled into the facility led to the arrest of Crystal Hazlett, a contracted General Educational Development (GED) instructor assigned to the center.

Greenup County Detention Center’s Lt. Elizabeth Lucas led the investigation after receiving a “intelligence” in connection to illicit items entering the facility’s housing area. The investigation revealed that Hazlett allegedly used her employment access as an educator to “bypass standard security screening measures.”

The Martin County Sheriff’s Department executed a warrant for Hazlett’s arrest at her home in Inez in Aug. 6. A search allegedly revealed suboxone, a prescription medication used for treating opioid use disorder, which was allegedly intended for distribution to inmates.

Hazlett faces felony charges of first-degree promoting contraband and second-degree trafficking a controlled substance. She was booked into the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center in Paintsville, awaiting transport back to the Greenup County Detention Center.

Greenup County Detention Center said Hazlett was terminated from her position following the arrest. The investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges may be filed.

“We have a zero-tolerance policy for anyone who compromises the safety of our facility,” Jailer Larry Pancake said in a statement. “Thanks to the diligent work of Lt. Lucas, Chief Robert Senters and jail staff we were able to quickly intercept these illicit substances and protect both our staff and the inmate population.”