Woman accused of taking drugs to boyfriend in prison

LEBANON — A woman accused of trying to bring marijuana into the Warren Correctional Institution was arrested Thursday, July 22, by the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

Police said Bethany Cephas, 27, of Cincinnati, was charged with attempting to bring drugs onto the grounds of the detention facility, a third-degree felony. She was slated to appear in Lebanon Municipal Court on Friday, July 23.

Troopers and Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction investigators obtained information that Cephas would be attempting to convey drugs to her boyfriend during a scheduled visit. When Cephas arrived for her visit, troopers initiated a search warrant and Cephas surrendered a large purple balloon containing approximately 7.4 grams of marijuana.

Cephas was taken to the Warren County Jail. If convicted, she could face five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

The highway patrol investigates criminal activity on state-owned and leased property.

Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4504 or erichter@coxohio.com.

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