Levy County jail's body scanner reducing the drugs being introduced into facility
Photos courtesy of LCSO.
On February 28, 2023, Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) Trooper Kevin Davis was suspicious when he arrested 29 year-old Kayla Hicks of Wesley Chapel , Florida for driving under the influence, but found no contraband during the arrest.
Hicks was immediately transported to the Levy County Detention Bureau, where LCSO Detention Officers escorted her to the Tec-84 Body Scanner. The scan was completed and showed that Ms. Hicks had a foreign object concealed inside of her body. Officers conducted a strip search and recovered a tube that contained marijuana (the glove was added to the photo to show the comparative size of the contraband).
The contraband was collected as evidence by Trooper Davis, and additional charges were filed. Hicks was initially charged with driving under the influence, but after the drug was located, she was additionally charged with introduction of contraband into a detention facility and possession of marijuana, with her bond set at $72,500. Hicks was released after posting bond on March 1, 2023.
The Tek-84 Body Scanner was purchased by the Levy County Sheriff’s Office, approximately two years ago, and is being used by detention staff members on a daily basis. Any person arrested within Levy County’s jurisdiction is subject to an examination by this piece of equipment.
This is not the first time that a foreign object has been found concealed inside the body of an arrested person by the body scanner. Since its use was implemented at the detention bureau, the facility has experienced a marked decrease in contraband - including illegal drugs - being smuggled into the general population of inmates being held there, making the jail a safer place, not only for other inmates, but also the staff members working there.