Cheyenne Woman Accused of Smuggling Fentanyl Into Jail Bound Over

A Cheyenne woman accused of smuggling fentanyl into the Laramie County Detention Center that resulted in an inmate overdosing has been bound over to Laramie County District Court.

Timeline of Events

The Arrest

According to a booking sheet, 23-year-old Felipita Maldonado was contacted at the Maverik at 1706 S. Greeley Hwy. around 8:15 a.m. on April 3, after being called in by employees for appearing to be sleeping or in medical need inside a vehicle.

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The arresting deputy says Maldonado provided a false name, date of birth, and phone number, then put on her seat belt and started the vehicle.

When she was told to exit the vehicle, Maldonado reportedly began reaching toward the front of her waistband and was physically removed from the vehicle.

Maldonado then reportedly began reaching toward the front of her waistband again and was handcuffed and patted for weapons, and found to have suspected fentanyl on her.

Maldonado was booked into the Laramie County Detention Center for interference with a peace officer - no injury and possession of a controlled substance in pill or capsule form, both misdemeanors.

Inmate Overdoses

Around 8:07 a.m. the following morning, while conducting an area check, Deputy Treat noticed a female inmate bent over in the fetal position.

After repeatedly trying to get the inmate to respond without any success, Treat radioed for help, and Sgt. Turley and Deputy Graham responded and helped him roll the inmate on her back.

The inmate, who was still unresponsive, turning shades of purple, and gasping for air, was given two doses of naloxone and rushed to Cheyenne Regional Medical Center. She was treated and returned to the jail later that day.

The inmate reportedly admitted to taking a pill she, "found on the floor," 30 minutes before her overdose.

The Shakedown

A shakedown resulted in Maldonado being charged with a single count of taking controlled substances or liquor into jails, penal institutions, or mental hospitals, a felony punishable by up to three years in prison, up to a $3,000 fine, or both.

"All offenders who are booked into the jail are strip searched and body scanned," the Sheriff's Office in a Facebook post late Wednesday afternoon said. "However sometimes drugs are placed in places that are undetectable (you can fill in the blanks)."

Sheriff Brian Kozak says they can't verify Maldonado was the source, but the inmate who overdosed had been in jail for a while and had commissary funds, and Maldonado, who didn't, had commissary items in her cell.

"I think you can do the math," he said.

Case Bound Over to District Court, Deputies 'Branded'

On April 17, Laramie County Circuit Court Judge Sean Chambers found probable cause to bind Maldonado's case over to District Court.

Laramie County Sheriff's Office via Facebook

Deputies Treat and Graham were also branded (thanked) for saving the inmate who overdosed's life.

Kozak says his office will be picking up a new drug detection K-9 next month, who will be assigned to the jail full-time.

Meet the Four-Legged Heroes of the Cheyenne Police Department

They may not be able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, but make no bones about it, police dogs play a vital role in the fight against crime.

In many situations, they're the first ones to put their lives on the line to protect their human partners, proving that not all heroes wear capes, some wear fur coats.

Gallery Credit: Joy Greenwald