A 32-year-old inmate at state prison in Somerset already serving a life sentence for murder was charged by state police with assaulting a corrections officer who broke up an alleged drug smuggling attempt in the prison’s visitation area last month.
Marcus L. Graham, 32, formerly of Reading, Berks County, has been charged in Somerset County with assault of a corrections officer, manufacturing and delivery of a controlled substance, aggravated assault, simple assault and possession of contraband by an inmate.
Graham is serving a life sentence after admitting to the 2005 kidnapping and murder of a 22-year-old man in order to steal his $3,200 life savings, according to court records.
Trooper John Wogan said Graham’s accomplice in the smuggling attempt, Geneva I. Debooth, 50, also of Reading, was also charged manufacturing and delivery of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Wogan alleges in a complaint filed before Confluence District Judge Sandra Stevanus that Graham was caught attempting to have a drug package containing Suboxone passed to him during a visit by Debooth. Wogan said the transaction was caught on the prison’s video surveillance cameras.
Suboxone is a drug used to treat opioid addiction.
When a 47-year-old corrections officer, who was not identified in police reports, attempted to break up the transaction, Wogan said Graham assaulted the officer. Police said the guard suffered minor injuries.
