DAVISBORO, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - An Augusta man was arrested on Wednesday after he was accused of smuggling contraband into the Washington State Prison.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office says 22-year-old Jamel Barnes was arrested and charged with three counts of possession of controlled substance with intent to distribute, trading with inmates without authorization of the warden, four counts of items prohibited by inmates, criminal tresspass and giving a false name.

The sheriff’s office says deputies were alerted to a suspicious male near Washington State Prison carrying bags around 11:45 a.m. Wednesday.

Barnes was arrested at 12:05 p.m. by law enforcement and a Georgia Department of Corrections K9 unit in a field near the prison.

“We want those with ill intentions to understand that this collaboration and effort will persist. If you don’t want to spend a significant amount of time behind bars, stay out of Washington County if you’re planning to engage in illegal activities,” said the sheriff’s office in a statement.

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