Credit: Chester County DA’s Office
A Bucks County man was one of eight people arrested as part of an investigation into an alleged prison drug smuggling scheme, according to officials in Chester County.
Vladislav Babayan, 30, Bristol Township, is accused of working with Chester County prison guard Douglas Keck, 45, of Pottstown, to smuggle drugs to inmate Richard Nicoletti, 38, according to officials.
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Babayan was arraigned last week on 36 charges including contraband, possession of drug paraphernalia, conspiracy and criminal use of a communication facility. He was freed last week on $30,000 unsecured bail.
Authorities said Keck would get drugs from those who knew inmates and he would bring them into the correctional facility for $100 per delivery, authorities said. The Chester County District Attorney’s Office said Keck would bring heroin and prescription medications into the prison.
Officials said Keck was arrested during a drug pickup outside a Chester County shop. He reportedly had his 4-year-old son with him during the drug pickup.
Credit: Chester County DA’s Office
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Investigators first got wind of the scheme earlier this year and began an investigation, a press release said.
Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan said in a statement that Keck “went from guarding inmates to being an inmate” due to greed.
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The other five people arrested were inmates or affiliates of, court records show.
Editor’s Note: All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The story was compiled using information from police and public court documents.
