Prison worker faces three drug charges

Standard Democrat

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- A Charleston woman working for the Southeast Correctional Center is facing charges for allegedly smuggling and attempting to distribute drugs in the correctional center.

According to Mississippi County Prosecuting Attorney Jennifer Raffety, Helen Darlene Farmer, 43, was arrested and charged Friday with trafficking, possessing more than 2 grams of cocaine and possessing over 5 grams of marijuana with the intent to distribute.

Farmer faces between 5 and 15 years in prison on each charge if convicted.

Raffety said Farmer's arrest came about as the result of an investigation involving officials at the prison and the Charleston Department of Public Safety.

Farmer is expected to appear in court Wednesday for her arraignment. Raffety asked that Farmer's bond be set at $100,000.