Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
A Tucumcari woman was arrested on a warrant last week after being accused of mailing narcotics to an inmate in the county jail last fall.
Ashley Nolan, 40, is charged with distribution of a controlled substance, conspiracy to commit distribution of a controlled substance, bringing contraband into jail and conspiracy to commit bringing contraband onto prison grounds. All are felonies.
The distribution charge, the most serious, is a third-degree felony that could lead up to three years in prison and up to a $5,000 fine.
According to an affidavit filed in the case, an officer was informed July 22 by Quay County Detention Center Sgt. Johnny Anaya of narcotics found in mail addressed to an inmate.
Anaya said he was checking mail addressed to Zachary Hurd and found four glued-together pictures. Inside the pictures were three bundles of suboxone, an opioid-use disorder drug. Officers checked with Hurd’s calls and found one with Nolan on July 17, where she was identified by voice and caller ID.
“The contents of the call included Hurd explaining step by step to Nolan of how to glue the pictures together, with suboxone inside,” the affidavit stated. “After which Hurd told Nolan she was to wake up early and mail the package to get next-day shipping. Nolan also said that she got 30 strips valued at $3.50 a strip.”
Hurd, of Clovis, was charged in August with four felony charges related to the narcotics found in the jail. His case is pending.
An arrest warrant was issued for Nolan on Aug. 2, but it was not served until Feb. 13. She was booked into the county jail that day.
Nolan made her first court appearance on Feb. 15, where she was released on a $5,000 unsecured appearance bond along with conditions that she not possess weapons, not consume alcohol, cannabis or illegal drugs, submit to drug testing, not leave the county without permission and maintain contact with her attorney.
Public defender Brett Phelps of Las Vegas was to be assigned to her case. Nolan’s next court appearance is set for March 9.