Authorities investigate allegations of officers smuggling contraband into Oklahoma County jail

A sheriff's investigator, in a search warrant affidavit, said evidence “suggests” that ex-detention officers Miah N. Dukes and Timothy R. Oakes Jr., “as well as unidentified detention officers and inmates, are part of an ongoing criminal enterprise” in which the officers make contact with inmates, friends and family to arrange payment for smuggled contraband.

The officers “receive payment by way of reloadable fund cards” used by inmates to buy food, candy and phone privileges, according to the affidavit.

Sheriff John Whetsel called the allegations “a disappointment.”

“It's a shame that someone would throw away their law enforcement career over a few hundred bucks,” Whetsel said.

The investigation is ongoing and could result in criminal charges being filed against other jail employees, said Mark Myers, spokesman for the sheriff's office.

“If investigators believe others are involved, there is a very strong likelihood that there could be additional people charged,” he said.

Dukes, 20, a female detention officer, was fired Dec. 23, after investigators confiscated a cellphone from inmate Equan England and found a text message from Dukes with photos of her in a bikini top, according to the affidavit.

She was jailed Feb. 12 on a complaint of conspiracy to commit a felony, records show. Dukes is accused of working with Oakes to smuggle a cellphone into the jail.

Dukes, the investigator wrote, was terminated for policy violations that included an improper relationship with England.