Two Now Charged In Inmate Overdose
The Cocke County Sheriff’s office has arrested two individuals in connection with the overdose of five female inmates at the jail Wednesday evening. Around 5:45pm four inmates were found in a hallway non-responsive and another was found inside a cell. Ella Ellison, who had been arrested earlier in the day Wednesday has now been charged with the felony offense of introduction into a penal facility. Amanda Pope, one of the inmates who overdosed is now charged with criminal conspiracy. Three of the inmates that overdosed were sent to the Newport Medical Center. All three have now been medically discharged and are back at the Cocke County jail.
Ella Ellison was originally arrested Wednesday morning after being found in the Priceless Foods parking lot passed out at the wheel of a vehicle. Ellison was found to have outstanding warrants for narcotics charges. A search of her purse revealed nearly 6 grams of methamphetamine, .4 grams of heroin and .6 grams of marijuana. Ellison believed she was having a seizure and was transported to the Newport Medical Center for evaluation. After discharge, she was taken to the Cocke County jail where she smuggled an unknown substance into the jail which led to the overdosing of the five female inmates. Besides the introduction charge, Ellison also faces new charges of schedule I,II and VI possession.