A former Effingham County jailer who accepted a bribe and provided contraband to an inmate in the Effingham County Jail has been sentenced for her actions.
Jaleen Romona Connerly, who was 32-years-old at the time, and Betrice Taylor, then 50, were changed in June 2020 by the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office. A three-month investigation led authorities to discover that Connerly received $100 to bring cigarettes into the jail and that both Connerly and Taylor distributed THC Oil to at least one inmate as well. The inmate named in the indictment was said to have an affiliation with the Bloods street gang.
Connerly was charged with:
- Obtaining for/Procuring for/Giving Inmates Tobacco/Tobacco Products Without the Consent of a Jailer
- Attempt/Conspiracy to Violate the Georgia Controlled Substances Act
- Bribery
- Unlawful Employment/Association with Criminal Street Gang to Conduct/Participate in Criminal Activity
- Crossing Guard Lines to Deliver to an Inmate a Controlled Substance
- Giving to/Possession by Inmates Prohibited Items
Taylor was charged with:
- Unlawful Employment/Association with Criminal Street Gang to Conduct/Participate in Criminal Activity
- Crossing Guard Lines to Deliver to an Inmate a Controlled Substance
- Giving to/Possession by Inmates Prohibited Items
- Attempt/Conspiracy to Violate the Georgia Controlled Substances Act
Both were released on bond awaiting court action.
In May 2022, Connerly filed a Waiver of a Jury Trial and instead requested a bench trial before Superior Court Judge Michael Muldrew. Seven months later, represented by her attorney Sam Alderman III, Connerly pleaded guilty to three of the five charges.Â
| Bribery | Guilty Plea | 20 years – 5 yrs to serve in confinement, 15 yrs on probation; $2,000 fine |
| Violation of the Controlled Substances Act (THC Oil) | Nolle Prossed | —————————— |
| Furnishing Prohibited Items to Inmates | Guilty Plea | 5 yrs to serve in confinement, concurrent to Bribery charge |
| Furnishing THC Oil to Inmates | Guilty Plea | 5 yrs to serve in confinement, concurrent to Bribery, Furnishing charges |
| Violation of Street Gang Terrorism Act | Nolle Prossed | —————————— |
Connerly will be subject to a monthly probation fee for the 15 year probation term, additional fine add-ons of approximately $805, and she must complete a substance abuse evaluation. She is barred from having contact with any co-defendants, will be subject to a curfew upon release, and cannot use drugs or alcohol.
Taylor’s case has yet to be adjudicated. She is currently represented by Statesboro attorney Francys Johnson.
