COOK COUNTY, IL – A Cook County Corrections Deputy appeared in court today charged with possession of controlled substance after an internal investigation by the Cook County Sheriff’s Office found she was in possession of dozens of sheets of paper soaked in suspected illegal drugs, Sheriff Thomas J. Dart announced today.
On July 25, following a Sheriff’s Office investigation of information about alleged smuggling of drug-soaked paper into the Cook County Jail, investigators executed a search warrant at the home of Shadonna Jones, 54, of Lynwood.
During the search, investigators recovered an envelope containing 48 sheets of paper that were stained in appearance and had a gritty texture, which are common indicators of the presence of illegal substances. Investigators also found a letter addressed to the defendant that appeared to have been written by an individual in custody at the Jail in which the individual stated that he sold “paper” for $10,000 a page, and that Jones would be paid $2,500 for each package of paper she could bring into the Jail.
Following the search warrant, Jones met with investigators and after being given her Miranda Warning, told investigators she received the papers from the family of an individual in custody, was paid $1,000 to accept the papers, and the papers were intended to be delivered to an individual in custody at the Jail. She denied that she was going to deliver the paper.
The suspected drug-soaked paper recovered from Jones’ garage was sent to the Illinois State Police Division of Forensic Services for testing, and on Wednesday, the lab returned results showing the presence of MDMB-BUTINACA, a synthetic cannabinoid.
Jones, who was hired as a Deputy in June 2019, has been on injured on duty status since July 15, 2024, after she was injured while attempting to intervene in fight between two individuals in custody. She was de-deputized on July 25 following her interview with investigators.
On Thursday, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office approved one count of Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver, a Class 3 Felony.
Jones was arrested this morning and appeared for her initial appearance on the charge at the Markham Courthouse, where she was released pending trial. Her next court date is schedule for September 19 at 9:30 a.m. in the Markham Courthouse.
A separate internal administrative investigation is ongoing, and Jones may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination.
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