PALM COAST, Fla. – Three inmates at the Flagler County Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility are facing new felony charges following a detailed undercover investigation into drug activity inside the jail.
The investigation began after deputies received information that inmates were possibly selling narcotics within the facility. In response, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Unit launched a coordinated operation, working alongside the Problem Area Crime Enforcement Team, Criminal Intelligence Unit, K-9 Unit, and detention deputies.
On March 17, that operation led to the arrests of 32-year-old Joshua Siedel of Daytona Beach, 30-year-old Caleb Tucker of Bunnell, and 46-year-old Stephen Horton of Flagler Beach.
Investigators determined that Siedel and Tucker were operating as the primary distributors of narcotics within the jail. Detectives say Tucker handled payments from other inmates and coordinated repeated transactions with Siedel over a period of several weeks.
Authorities said many of these exchanges took place during inmate church services, where movement and interaction between inmates allowed the activity to go unnoticed for a period of time.
During Tuesday evening’s service, deputies observed and intercepted a transaction involving Horton. Investigators say Horton used coffee packets as a form of currency to purchase Suboxone from Siedel. After the exchange, Siedel passed the coffee packets to Tucker, who concealed them.
Following the undercover operation, deputies conducted searches of multiple cells throughout the facility.
Inside Siedel’s cell, investigators located Suboxone that had been packaged for distribution. In Tucker’s cell, deputies found residue that later tested positive for fentanyl, further supporting the ongoing drug distribution operation.
Detectives determined that the Suboxone being distributed was obtained through pharmaceutical diversion. Inmates who were legally prescribed the medication as part of treatment programs allegedly diverted it and sold it to other inmates in exchange for commissary items such as food and goods.
“This guy thought he was the El Chapo of the Green Roof Inn, but luck ran out for him and his accomplices this St. Patrick’s Day,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “Now they’ll rack themselves up plenty of prison time, all for some cookies and chips. These dirtbags thought they could distribute drugs inside the Green Roof Inn. We don’t tolerate poison peddlers or illegal drugs in the community, and I sure as hell won’t tolerate it our jail.”
As a result of the investigation, all three inmates are now facing additional charges tied to drug possession, distribution, and contraband inside a correctional facility.
Siedel now faces charges including possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, sale of a Schedule III controlled substance, and possession of contraband by an inmate.
Tucker faces additional charges of possession of fentanyl and sale of a Schedule III controlled substance by an inmate.
Horton faces charges including tampering with evidence, possession of a controlled substance by an inmate, and possession without a prescription.
Authorities also noted that all three inmates have extensive prior criminal histories, with multiple prior arrests ranging from drug trafficking and theft to violent offenses.
The sheriff’s office confirmed there is no evidence that any employees or contractors were involved in the illegal activity.
The investigation remains ongoing as detectives continue to review evidence and determine whether additional charges or suspects may be involved.