WARREN COUNTY, Ohio — A former corrections officer is facing multiple felony charges after being accused of smuggling illegal drugs into the Warren County Correctional Institution near Cincinnati.
Authorities allege that 30-year-old Joshua Fritz, who worked as a corrections officer at the facility, brought controlled substances into the prison on at least two separate occasions last March. Court documents state that Fritz used his position to illegally convey drugs into the institution, breaching the trust placed in him as a law enforcement professional.
The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction confirmed Fritz was terminated from his position following the investigation. Prosecutors have charged him with five felony counts, including illegal conveyance of drugs and other related offenses tied to the smuggling allegations.
Fritz is scheduled to make his initial court appearance on January 23 as the case moves forward through the legal system. The charges he faces carry potential prison time and significant penalties if he is convicted.
The arrest highlights ongoing concerns about contraband entering correctional facilities and the challenges law enforcement agencies face in maintaining security and accountability within institutions. The investigation into Fritz’s alleged actions is part of broader efforts to crack down on drug trafficking and corruption behind prison walls.