RICHLAND COUNTY, S.C. — A surprise vehicle search on Wednesday led to the arrest of two Richland County jail guards for possession of contraband and drugs.
The Richland County Sheriff's Department said 37-year-old Bridget Williams and 50-year-old Ashanti Rembert were charged after deputies conducted an unscheduled search of all employee vehicles at Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center during shift change around 6 p.m. that day.
As a result of the search, Williams was charged with possession of or furnishing contraband and manufacturing or distribution of methamphetamine in the first degree.
Rembert was charged with possession of other controlled substances and possession or furnishing of contraband. Both have been released on bond.
The sheriff's department said the search was in part due to the recent "uptick" in drugs and unknown substances being found in the jail. Multiple inmate overdose deaths have occurred in recent weeks as well.