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| CO Allegedly Smuggles Gun |
| By WKRN News |
| Published: 12/19/2005 |
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A loaded handgun was smuggled into a Tennessee prison and hidden in an inmate housing unit full of convicted felons. Nashville officials confirm the gun was intended for a maximum-security inmate serving time for arson and murder at the Charles B. Bass Correctional Complex in West Nashville. The prison is surrounded by razor wire, and a large sign at the main gate clearly warns visitors not to bring in contraband, including firearms. Celina Clay began working at the facility as a corrections officer in March. In her 7 months there, authorities say the 51-year-old developed a romatic relationship with 33-year-old David Allen Lane, doing a life sentence for aggravated arson and first-degree murder. On Friday Oct. 21, authorities got intelligence that Clay had succesfully smuggled a .38-caliber Derringer and two rounds of ammunition into the facility. Investigators say Clay has admitted to purchasing the tiny handgun. She reportedly smuggled it into the facility inside a bag, intended for Lane. Because she couldn't get the firearm directly to the killer, authorities say she handed the bag to a second inmate; Clinton Osborne, who is doing 30 years for aggravated rape. When he noticed there was a handgun inside, he decided he didn't want to be part of an effort to deliver a handgun to another inmate, so he hid the gun in the housing unit. It wasn't untill the next morning that Osborn notified prison officials about the gun and who reportedly smuggled it in. "We're grateful Osborne turned the handgun in," said Tennessee Department of Corrections spokesperson Amanda Sluss. Celina Clay has since been fired by the Department of Corrections. News 2 went to her home for comment, but were refused. "We will review all details; how she managed to smuggle this in, did she receive help from other officers or was she good at what she did, as far as getting the handgun in," said Sluss. DOC officials wouldn't say what the ultimate plan was, though it's not hard to imagine what a convicted killer might do with a loaded gun in prison. Clay's case is being considered by both Metro and federal prosecutors. The two inmates have both been transferred to administrative segregation in Riverbend Prison. |
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