Correctional Officer Arrested on 
Allegation of Trafficking Cell Phones

Michigan City, Ind. - On Wednesday, July 8, 2020, during routine entrance procedures, which include searching the staff property prior to entering the Indiana State Prison, Correctional Officer Portia Williams was detained for allegedly attempting to trafficking cell phones with an offender, a Level 5 felony and Official Staff Misconduct, a Level 6 felony.  

Williams, 54, of Gary, IN had been employed as a Correctional Officer at the Indiana State Prison since October 21, 2019.  After her arrest she was transported to the LaPorte County Jail for further booking and processing.  Determination of final charges will be made by the LaPorte County Prosecutor's office.

"I truly appreciate the hard work and dedication of my custody staff", said Indiana State Prison Warden Ron Neal. "Their diligence ensuring everyone entering the facility goes through proper search procedures is how trafficking gets stopped." Neal continued, "Trafficking jeopardizes the safety and security of both our staff and the offender population, and anyone caught trafficking - be they staff, visitors or contract employees - will be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the Law.”

As a result of the alleged criminal violations and alleged violations of Indiana Department of Correction policies, Williams was placed on emergency unpaid suspension pending termination of her employment with the Dept. of Correction.

Portia Williams

Persons arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

About Trafficking:

Trafficking in a correctional facility environment is defined as the act of buying or selling of illegal substances or substances which may be legal but are not permitted in a correctional environment, such as the sale or trade of tobacco products.

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