Two more charged in conspiracy to smuggle drugs into prison

MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) – Two Tennessee women are alleged to have been involved in a conspiracy to smuggle illegal drugs into the Montana State Prison between April and August 2015.

Rachel Leanna Ross of Collierville and Lauren J. Hoskins of Somerville pleaded not guilty to four federal drug charges during a June 2 hearing in Missoula. Attorneys for both declined to comment Monday.

Prosecutors allege Ross, Hoskins and Cordero Metzker arranged for the delivery of meth and the narcotic Suboxone to prison laundry employee Erin Bernhardt, who allegedly smuggled the drugs to inmate Ian Scott Barclay. Prosecutors say Barclay distributed the drugs in prison, and paid a $3,000 bribe to Bernhardt.

Barclay, Bernhardt and Metzker have also pleaded not guilty to conspiracy, possession and distribution charges. Barclay is charged with giving a bribe and Bernhardt is charged with receiving one.