Former Jackson County jail employee found not guilty of smuggling drugs to inmates
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - A federal jury found a former Jackson County Detention Center employee not guilty of conspiracy.
Aaron D. Copes of Grandview was indicted on one count of conspiracy in 2023.
The indictment accused Copes of taking bribes and sexual favors in exchange for smuggling papers laced with K2 to jail inmates. The indictment said inmates then smoked the drug-laced papers.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Copes was employed as a case manager at the Jackson County Detention Center at the time of the allegations. Among his duties was interviewing inmates daily, providing counseling and mediation for inmates and providing training to correctional officers.
Two other people indicted in the case await sentencing.
James A Booker, Jr. and Deanna Clark each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy. They are each scheduled to be sentenced later this month.
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