Drug arrest at SCCC
Photo submitted
Michael L. Lonski
By Chief Pat Burton, Licking Police Dept.
On June 4, 2022, the Licking Police Department conducted a joint, short-term, narcotics investigation with members of the Department of Corrections at South Central Correctional Center (SCCC). During the investigation, it was discovered an SCCC employee had brought an illegal substance into the facility, concealed on his person. The employee, Michael L. Lonski, age 30, of Rolla, was searched by SCCC employees inside the facility and contraband was discovered. A further search of Lonski’s vehicle by Licking police officers revealed additional items of suspected controlled substance.
During an interview with Lonski, he admitted to meeting an inmate’s family member and obtaining illegal contraband, consisting of paper believed to be soaked in liquid narcotics, and then introducing the contraband inside the facility. Lonski advised that he received a monetary compensation from the inmate’s family member for introducing the substance inside the facility.
The seized items have been sent to the Missouri Highway Patrol Crime Laboratory for analysis. A Probable Cause Affidavit will be sent to the Texas County Prosecutor’s Office seeking formal charges of deliver/possess controlled substance at jail/correctional center.
The above information is mere accusations and is not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of any charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
Thank you for reporting about the drug arrest at SCCC. Are you guys also reporting about the recent rash of 7 prison deaths there in just over a month?
I’m Mike Smith. I’m the uncle of Kaleb Smith, the first to die in this most recent string of deaths at South Central Correctional Center in Licking. I’m sure you are aware of the deaths at the prison, but are you guys also aware that there has been no cooperation from the prison on informing the families as to what happened? We have only been told they are conducting an internal investigation.
Kaleb died 6 weeks ago, now, and we have still received no updates on their “internal investigation”. Nor have we received results of his medical examiner’s report or his toxicology report. Can you imagine having a loved one die and not being told how or why this happened? So, naturally, we have a lot of questions…
*What is going on in Licking?
*Why have there been 7 deaths in a month’s time?
*How many more people have to die?
*What is being done about this?
*Where are the results of your internal investigation?
*Where are the results of the medical examiner’s reports?
*Where are the results of the toxicology reports?
*What happened to our loved ones? Why won’t you tell us?
*Why do you think it is fair to leave families in the dark?
We are just looking for answers for our loved ones. Can you
help us get answers?
~Mike Smith
Facebook Group: GRANNY VIGILANTE
We are reporting the information as it becomes available. Unfortunately we have little information as well.
I know how you feel my son died may 17 th 2022 at secc I still haven’t been told anything except he passed away and did I want to claim the body are they stupid what a dumb question I’m still fighting to get his records I feel the same way why doesn’t a parent have the right to know what happened to there son what are they hiding alot apparently because I have been told by his friends two co have been charged for bringing in the drugs that killed him and others but I have no way of finding that out either and they think prison is rehab I guess they are above the law and don’t have to answer to no one fed up with doc
As your son died in Texas County, I think a good place to learn more information is with the Texas County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. He would be able to tell you whether your son’s death was investigated as a crime or not. The Texas County Coroner can also provide information about his death. Their numbers are available by searching for the Texas County Courthouse webpage on the internet.