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A Carter County corrections officer was arrested and subsequently terminated from his employment on Sunday after investigators caught him bringing contraband, including illegal narcotics, into the Carter County Detention Center.

Leonard Stratton II, 32, of Elizabethton, was arrested and charged with introduction of contraband into a penal facility and official misconduct.

“Investigators had been working this case after information had been received that drugs and other contraband were entering into the facility,” Sheriff Mike Fraley said.

Lt. Travis Ludlow initiated an internal investigation into the complaint with assistance from Capt. Sean Johnson and Investigator Larry Vaughn.

“Throughout the investigation, it was revealed that an employee of our agency was involved, and it was narrowed to a single individual that was involved in this illegal activity,” Sheriff Fraley said.

During the early morning hours on Sunday, June 9, Stratton attempted to bring illegal narcotics and tobacco products into the detention center to distribute to inmates. He was intercepted by Johnson and Vaughn, who took him into custody.

Following his arrest, Stratton was terminated from his employment with the Carter County Sheriff’s Office. He was booked into the detention center under a $10,000 bond.

“The investigation into this incident is ongoing at this time and additional charges are pending,” Sheriff Fraley said.