Head Jailer Arrested Following Alleged Misconduct at Clay County Detention Center

CLAY COUNTY, Ark. – The head jailer at the Clay County Detention Center has been fired and arrested after a strange series of events involving meth late last week.

Head Jailer Tammy Miller-Spears of the Clay County Detention Center was taken into custody following an incident observed by detention staff on Thursday, December 7th, a press release from the Clay County Sheriff’s Department said. Staff members noted Miller-Spears taking a female inmate, identified as 38-year-old Ashley Lewis from Corning, into an employee restroom during the booking process, which is against policy and procedure.

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Surveillance equipment monitoring verbal interactions recorded part of a conversation between Miller-Spears and Lewis. The two individuals knew one another from living in Corning. Subsequently, Miller-Spears immediately left the detention facility after these interactions, prompting the Sheriff’s Department to review the surveillance footage and audio.

Taking suspicion of the irregular conduct, the Clay County Sheriff’s Department notified the Corning Police Department of the situation.

In response, the Corning Police Department conducted a traffic stop on Miller-Spears, eastbound on US 62, for speeding, clocked at 71 MPH in a 45 MPH zone upon entering Corning.

The Corning Police Department also discussed the incident in a release of their own. Consent was given to Chief Blaine McClung and Captain Terry Ladd to search the vehicle, according to the release. Police located a clear plastic container containing a crystal substance that field tested positive for methamphetamine. Also inside vehicle officers located a plastic straw, containing a crystal residue and a plastic baggie containing a crystal residue. Miller-Spears was then placed into custody and taken to the police department to be interviewed.

She was then transported to the Clay County Detention Center, this time as an inmate.

A probable cause hearing was conducted on Friday, December 8th, in Corning before Circuit Judge Charles “Skip” Mooney, who set her bond at $20,000.

Additionally, Miller-Spears was terminated from her position as Head Jailer at the Clay County Detention Center.