Walker County inmate allegedly used protein drinks to smuggle meth, weed into jail

Walker County inmate allegedly used protein drinks to smuggle meth, weed into jail

An Alabama county jail inmate is facing a new charge after authorities say protein drinks delivered to him in lockup were not protein drinks at all.

Investigators at the Walker County Jail received information a stash of contraband could be on the way to Nicholas Heath Rice, who is jailed on trafficking fentanyl, among other charges.

Authorities say 60-year-old Janice Niblett Johnson recently dropped off the protein drink bottles for Rice. A nurse on the jail’s medical staff was warned the drinks more than likely contained contraband.

After the drinks were delivered, the medical staff confirmed someone had tampered with the protein drinks.

Investigator Jim Browne took possession of the drinks and found 24 grams of methamphetamine, 23 grams of marijuana, Suboxone, and a battery inside the drinks.

Johnson, of Sumiton, was charged with distribution of a controlled substance and promoting prison contraband.

She was taken into custody Wednesday she showed up for Rice’s bond hearing.

Rice, 44, was not only denied a bond reduction, but received an added charge of conspiracy to commit a controlled substance crime for reportedly arranging for the drugs to be delivered to the jail.

Rice’s bond now stands at $250,000 cash.