MOULTRIE, Ga. — A Colquitt County employee who oversaw inmates is accused of assisting them in smuggling contraband, including cell phones and drugs, into the county prison facility.

Police arrested Johnathan Markus Williams on Thursday afternoon.

Williams is employed by the Colquitt County Public Works Department, where he supervised inmate crews, said Warden Billy Howell of the Colquitt County Correctional Institution.

“We had a shakedown Wednesday,” Howell said. “During the course of a shakedown we found some cell phones. Staff was able to retrieve information (about) conversations between inmates and this particular officer.”

During the course of the investigation officers learned that the activity involved smuggling phones, tobacco and drugs into the prison, Howell said. Police believe that Williams was being paid for his part in the scheme.

“As correctional officers and law enforcement officers we know we’re not to have personal dealings with prisoners, for obvious reasons,” Howell said. “We fight contraband every day.”

Williams, 25, 527 Country Drive, was charged Thursday with three felonies — items prohibited by inmates; crossing guard lines with weapons, drugs or intoxicants; and violation of oath by public officer.

He was released from Colquitt County Jail on his own recognizance.

As of Friday afternoon no official action had been taken regarding Williams’ employment, County Administrator Chas Cannon said.

“We’ll get with the sheriff,” he said. If the evidence seems convincing, “he’ll be terminated.”