Birmingham, AL 03/07/2018
A 33-year-old Hueytown woman and 35-year-old Dora man have been arrested and charged for attempting to smuggle illegal drugs into the Jefferson County Jail.
Joshua Wade Ray
Lauren Whitney Foust
On March 5, Sheriff’s investigators received information that Lauren Whitney Foust was involved in a plan to bring illegal drugs to court and pass them off to 35-year-old inmate Joshua Wade Ray.
Working from a tip developed through the Metro Area Crime Center investigators determined that the exchange was set to occur during a court appearance by Ray on March 6.
Undercover Sheriff’s investigators established surveillance on the courtroom and waited for Foust and Ray to arrive. Foust entered and sat near the front. Ray was brought in with other inmates from the jail. Ray spoke with his attorney and then asked to go to the restroom. As he passed in front of Foust he dropped a folder and bent down to pick it up. He also picked up a small package that Foust had taped to the floor.
After the exchange had taken place Foust left the courtroom. She was detained and questioned by investigators. Foust admitted to purchasing drugs and passing them to Ray in the courtroom.
Investigators approached Ray and found him trying to hide the package in his shoe. Deputies took the package from Ray and discovered that it contained methamphetamine, marijuana, tobacco, a lighter, rolling papers, and two syringes.
Lauren Foust was arrested and taken to the Jefferson County Jail to await formal charges.
On March 6, detectives obtained arrest warrants formally charging Foust with Unlawful Distribution of a Controlled Substance, Promoting Prison Contraband, and Conspiracy to Commit a Controlled Substance Crime. She remains in the Jefferson County Jail with bond set at $20,000.
Joshua Ray was already in jail for charges of Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle, Robbery 1st Degree, Reckless Endangerment, Receiving Stolen Property, and Attempting to Elude. He is now also charged with Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of Marijuana, Promoting Prison Contraband, Conspiracy to Commit a Controlled Substance Crime, and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He remains in the Jefferson County Jail with bond set at $36,200.