A county corrections officer and a Saugerties woman are both facing felony charges after, Ulster County sheriff’s deputies say, the two had been working to smuggle drugs into the Ulster County Jail.
According to deputies, corrections officers had “developed information” that a woman had been passing drugs to a CO, who in turn would bring it into the jail. On the afternoon of Thursday, Jan. 28, corrections officers observed Dejah L. Babcock, 38, of Saugerties meet and pass an object to county Corrections Officer Jason Hetrick, 35, in the parking lot of the Law Enforcement Center in the City of Kingston.
When Hetrick was confronted, deputies say, a cigarette pack containing loose tobacco, matches, a small quantity of marijuana and 10 suboxone sublingual strips was found on his person. Babcock was arrested in the parking lot; Hetrick was arrested while entering the facility.
Hetrick was charged with the felonies of first-degree promoting prison contraband and fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance; the Class A (most serious) misdemeanors of second-degree promoting prison contraband, seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and official misconduct; and the violation of unlawful possession of marijuana.
Babcock was charged with the felonies of first-degree promoting prison contraband and fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance; the Class A misdemeanors of second-degree promoting prison contraband and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance; and the violation of unlawful possession of marijuana.
Both were processed, arraigned in Kingston City Court and sent to Ulster County Jail in lieu of $50,000 cash or $100,000 bond. Deputies said the investigation is continuing and additional charges are anticipated. Sheriff’s Criminal Division and Corrections Division personnel were assisted by the Ulster County District Attorney’s Office.
Join the family! 
