Albany man arrested attempting to smuggle items into WACO prison

Published 12:23 pm Wednesday, June 4, 2025

DAVISBORO, Ga. — A 19-year-old Albany man was arrested last week in connection with attempting to smuggle illegal items into Washington State Prison, authorities say.

Washington County Sheriff Joel Cochran identified the suspect as Maurice Stewart.

In a press release, the sheriff said deputies with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of a suspicious person who had been spotted carrying a backpack in a cornfield near the state prison located on the outskirts of Davisboro. The call came in May 27 about 3:30 a.m.

“Working alongside the Georgia Department of Corrections K9 unit, deputies quickly set up a perimeter while the K9 team tracked the suspect through the field,” Cochran said in the press release.

Within two hours, authorities had not only located the suspect but also had him in custody, the sheriff said.

“We remain committed to working with our state partners to keep Washington State Prison safe and secure,” Cochran said.

Stewart was charged with two counts of Violation of the Georgia Controlled Substances Act for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, four counts of possession of items prohibited by inmates and one count of trading with inmates.

Cochran said Stewart was in possession of two bottles of promethazine, a pound of marijuana, four pounds of tobacco, five cellphones with accessories and other miscellaneous items.

Stewart remains jailed in the Washington County Law Enforcement Center in Sandersville.