Money Laundering in Harris County Jail: Joshua Owens’ Scheme Unveiled
Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg recently revealed a shocking case of money laundering involving Joshua Owen, a murder suspect incarcerated in the Harris County Jail. Owens, who was facing murder charges along with five other felonies, was found to have been profiting from selling drugs to other inmates within the prison walls.
Incarcerated Drug Dealing: Owens’ Illicit Activities Inside Jail
According to Ogg, Owens was selling drug-laced documents to fellow inmates and then orchestrating the transfer of funds from his CashApp account to his commissary account through his family members. The scheme amounted to nearly $30,000 being transferred into Owens’ account ever since he was incarcerated.
Collaborators in Crime: Owens’ Family Members Facing Charges
Owens’ cousin Nathaniel Campbell and stepsister Lativia Amis Bailey also found themselves entangled in the web of organized crime through money laundering. The defendants swiftly moved the funds to avoid detection, as large deposits on CashApp were flagged.
The Connection to Fentanyl Deaths: A Larger Investigation Unveiled
The revelation of Owens’ money laundering operation came in the wake of an ongoing investigation led by Sheriff Ed Gonzalez into a series of fentanyl overdoses and deaths at the Harris County Jail. Though not directly linked to the fentanyl deaths, Owens was found to have smuggled documents containing marijuana and synthetic marijuana into the jail, making a profit of over $28,000 by selling drugs to other inmates.
As authorities delve deeper into the case, it becomes evident that criminal activities within the confines of the prison pose a significant risk to the safety and well-being of other inmates. Prosecuting such crimes is crucial to maintaining order and ensuring that such illicit activities are not tolerated within the justice system.
A Cold Case Resurfaces: Owens’ Murder Charge in 2008
Owens’ troubles extend beyond drug dealing and money laundering as he was also charged with the cold-case murder of a 48-year-old woman back in 2008. DNA evidence implicated Owens in the murder of Martha Mitchell, whose body was discovered near a construction site. This added another layer of complexity to Owens’ legal woes, as he was already behind bars on unrelated charges.
In conclusion, the intricate web of criminal activities orchestrated by Joshua Owens sheds light on the challenges faced in maintaining order and safety within correctional facilities. The collaboration between law enforcement agencies and prosecutors is essential in uncovering such schemes and holding those responsible accountable for their actions.
