Prison Counselor Arrested for Drugs, Contraband

(Clermont, Florida) A 39-year-old Human Resources Counselor at the Lake Correctional Institution, Julia Bedenbaugh, was arrested Thursday for possession of crack cocaine and other contraband.

According to Cpl. James Vachon of the Lake County Sheriff's office, Bedenbaugh is suspected of smuggling drugs and other contraband into the prison.

Vachon said a joint investigation that included the U.S. Postal Inspector and Florida Inspector General's Office, developed intelligence that indicated Bedenbaugh was receiving packages containing narcotics and other items deemed contraband and then bringing those items into Lake Correctional.

He added that surveillance was conducted on a post office box at a U.S. Post Office in Astatula, known to belong to Bedenbaugh, during which she was seen receiving "suspicious packages."

Vachon said a search warrant was obtained and the packages were found to contain crack cocaine and cell phones. Cell phones are considered contraband in prison.

Bedenbaugh was booked into custody at the Lake County Jail with bail set at $20,000.