Seven people have been charged in connection with cellular phones and other contraband that were located inside High Desert State Prison.
The phones were located on or about May 13, inside accused Las Vegas Strip shooter Ammar Harris' prison cell.
After the phones were located, an investigation was undertaken by the Inspector General's Office of the Nevada Department of Corrections.
According to officials, Harris provided $2,000 to an associate named Amy Colon. Colon then provided the money to Charmain Simmons, the mother of another inmate involved named Derrick McKnight.
Simmons then provided the money to Reann Gadson, who purchased two cellular phones and provided them to Olga Gonzalez. Gadson and Gonzalez then met with former Correctional Officer Derland Blake, who allegedly smuggled the phones and other items into High Desert State Prison and on to Harris and McKnight.
The individuals charged are as follows:
- Derland Blake, 30, of North Las Vegas, three counts furnishing a portable telecommunications device to state prisoner, three counts asking or receiving bribe by public officer, misconduct by public officer, and conspiracy.
- Amy Colon, 35, of Atlanta, furnishing a portable telecommunications device to state prisoner, bribery of public officer, and conspiracy.
- Reann Gadson, 33, of Las Vegas, two counts furnishing a portable telecommunications device to state prisoner, bribery of public officer, and conspiracy.
- Olga Gonzalez, 27, of Las Vegas, three counts furnishing a portable telecommunications device to state prisoner, two counts bribery of public officer, and conspiracy.
- Ammar Harris, 28, of Las Vegas, two counts possession of a portable telecommunications device by state prisoner, bribery of public officer, and conspiracy.
- Derrick McKnight, 35, of Las Vegas, possession of a portable telecommunications device by state prisoner, bribery of public officer, and conspiracy.
- Charmaine Simons, 53, of Las Vegas, two counts furnishing a portable telecommunications device to state prisoner, and conspiracy.
Blake is a former corrections officer.
he case is being prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Karen A. Whelan and Acting Chief Deputy Attorney General Jamie Resch of the Attorney General’s Special Prosecution Unit.
