New Castle – Working on an anonymous tip received by the Geo Internal Affairs Unit, Pendleton District Detective Scott Jarvis arrested former GEO employee Richard Rice, age 47 of Modoc, as he tried to enter work at the New Castle Correctional Facility this morning carrying contraband.

Rice was arrested for Trafficking with Inmates, Class “C” Felony; Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance, (believed to be Heroin,) Class “D” Felony and Possession of Marijuana over 30 grams, Class “D” Felony. Rice, who was also in possession of a cell phone and charger at the time of his arrest, was lodged in the Henry County Jail with a $17,500 bond.

Rice had been employed at the facility since February 2012 as a prison guard. GEO, a private company, is contracted by the Indiana Department of Corrections to run the New Castle Correctional Facility. The investigation is ongoing with further charges possible. Jarvis was assisted by members of the GEO Internal Affairs Unit.

All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.