Two Suspects Facing Felony Charges for Attempting to Bribe Correctional Officer to Smuggle Drugs into Cook County Jail
A man and a woman, currently awaiting trial for the murder of a Lyft driver, are now facing additional felony charges for allegedly trying to bribe a correctional officer to sneak illegal drugs into the Cook County Jail.
Denarvis Mendenhall, 26, has been in custody since November 2017 when he was charged with the murder of a 53-year-old rideshare driver, Adekunte Adaranijo, in suburban Maywood.
According to prosecutors, Mendenhall approached a correctional officer multiple times, offering cash in exchange for smuggling drugs and other contraband into the facility. He provided the officer with a phone number to contact Larteona McGee, 25, who was supposed to supply the illegal items.
The correctional officer promptly reported Mendenhall’s attempts to the sheriff’s office, prompting an investigation that led to the arrest of McGee. She was caught with synthetic cannabinoids, marijuana, lighters, rolling papers, and other items intended for smuggling into the jail.
Both McGee and Mendenhall have been indicted by a grand jury on charges of bribery. Additionally, McGee faces charges of conspiracy to bring contraband into a penal institution and manufacture-delivery of cannabis.
Following a surge in inmate deaths, particularly drug-related, in the facility in early 2023, authorities have ramped up efforts to intercept banned items. This crackdown has resulted in a significant decrease in deaths, with only one drug-related death reported last year compared to nine in 2023.
Efforts to combat smuggling and enhance security measures continue to be a top priority for the Cook County Jail as they strive to maintain a safe environment for both inmates and staff.
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