A Hudson Valley jail employee is accused of giving inmates drugs and tobacco.

In October, detectives from the Ulster County Sheriff's Office were told about the likely source of contraband within the Ulster County Jail. Detectives conducted an extensive investigation and determined a contract employee was receiving payment from inmates to smuggle drugs and tobacco into the facility, police say.

On Thursday, detectives and members of the Ulster Regional Gang Enforcement Narcotics Team conducted an investigation in the Town of Rosendale which resulted in the arrest of Katrina Mitchell, 44, of Kerhonkson.

Mitchell was arrested after she conducted a deal to receive opiate pharmaceuticals to smuggle into the jail in exchange for money, according to the Ulster County Sheriff's Office.

Mitchell is a commissary clerk employed by a private company that has a contract to provide service to the Ulster County Jail, police say.

She was charged with two counts of attempted criminal sale of a controlled substance, four counts of attempted criminal possession of a controlled substance, two counts of attempted promotion prison contraband, all felonies, and criminal possession of a controlled substance, a misdemeanor.

She was arraigned in Town of Rosendale Justice Court and remanded to the Ulster County Jail in lieu of $5,000 cash bail or $25,000 secured bond.

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