Inmate busted after stashing contraband in underwear

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- An inmate who attempted to sneak a syringe and hypodermic needle into the Mississippi County Jail now faces additional charges.

Jeremy Bradley Pearson, 34, of Sikeston, Missouri, was arraigned Wednesday on a charge of possession of a weapon/dangerous item in the county jail.

Mississippi County Sheriff Keith Moore said the incident took place over the weekend following Pearson's arrest for a felony probation violation.

"During intake, Corrections Officer Josh Cooper reportedly asked Pearson if he had any property that, if taken into the facility, could be considered contraband; and Pearson stated that he did not," said Moore in a news release. "Moments later, during the routine strip-search portion of the intake process, Corrections Officer Cooper located a syringe, hypodermic needle and a brown tar-like substance concealed inside the inmate's undergarments."