Syracuse woman arrested for bringing contraband into Oneida County Jail

Slipped bag with green leafy substance in inmate’s jumpsuit during embrace

WHITESTOWN, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY) — A Syracuse woman was arrested by Oneida County Sheriff’s on Thursday, March 28, on contraband charges after a visit to the Oneida County Jail.

According to sheriff’s, the suspect — Khalila Bender-Baker of Syracuse — was visiting an inmate at the jail. Correctional officers noticed that Bender-Baker was hugging the inmate. As she was embracing the inmate, officers noticed her allegedly slipping an object into the inmate’s jumpsuit.

Correctional officers witnessed the exchange and took both Bender-Baker and the inmate into custody. Officers were able to locate the object inside the inmate’s jumpsuit and secure it. Inside the jumpsuit was a bag with a green leafy substance, according to police.

Bender-Baker was arrested and charged with:

• Second-degree Promoting Prison Contraband, a Class A Misdemeanor.

According to Oneida County Sheriff’s, the inmate who received the contraband also faces pending charges. Bender-Baker was processed and released with an appearance ticket at the Town of Whitestown Court at a later date.