OGDEN — A Weber County Sheriff’s Office employee has been arrested on suspicion of facilitating the spread of drugs in the county jail and an investigation is underway into whether others may be involved.

According to a press release sent Friday, Jennica Massie — who has worked with the department as a civilian corrections assistant since July 2021 — was arrested Thursday for possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute in a correctional facility following an investigation by the Weber County Attorney’s Office.

“As a precaution to stop the potential introduction of controlled substances into the facility, three additional employees that worked with Jennica Massie, have been placed on administrative leave,” the release said. “Both ongoing investigations will focus on determining if and to what extent other employees, volunteers or individuals incarcerated in the Weber County Correctional Facility were involved. Any additional individuals identified as being involved will be charged criminally.”

According to the press release, the investigative process will scrutinize potential policy violations committed by sheriff’s office employees, volunteers and contractors, and a review of the incident will influence possible improvements to policies and procedures.

“The illegal introduction of controlled substances into a correctional facility poses risks to the health and safety of employees, volunteers and those incarcerated in our facility,” the release said. “Criminal charges will be pursued against anyone attempting to introduce controlled substances into the facility illegally.”

Court documents shed a bit more light on Massie’s arrest.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, the investigation has been ongoing since April after reports surfaced of Suboxone being found in the Weber County Jail.

“During the investigation we learned through interviews and recorded jail calls that one method of getting the narcotics into the jail was being utilized through an employee at the jail, Jennica Massie,” the affidavit reads.

It adds that Massie’s arrest came following a meeting with an undercover officer.

“On 7-27-23 a Detective working in an under cover capacity began to text Massie telling her that he wanted to drop off a package for an inmate,” the affidavit continues. “Arrangements were made between Massie and the under cover Detective to have an amount of Suboxone delivered to Massie. During the conversation it was requested that the narcotics be delivered to an inmate currently in the Weber County jail and before that inmate goes to prison.”

Presumably due to Massie’s ties to the local jail, she was booked in Box Elder County. A 2nd District Court judge ordered that she be held without bail.

Newsletter