***Update Begins 11:00 a.m. on 11/14/2014: DIU Arrests 4th Person***

Crystal Marie Prevuznak (Thomas) (Arrested)
DOB: 11/03/1979
Address: 5535 68th Lane North, St. Petersburg
Arrested for one-count Conspiracy to Introduce Contraband Into a County Detention Facility

As part of the follow up reference the below investigation, DIU detectives determined that 35-year-old Crystal Marie Prevuznak was responsible for receiving the release of inmate funds on October 16th from inmate Bytautas for the purpose of purchasing the controlled substance Suboxone. The Suboxone was subsequently mailed to inmates Bytautas and Blanchard by Gibson. (See below for further details.)

Thomas was arrested on November 13, 2014 for one-count Conspiracy to Introduce Contraband Into a County Detention Facility.

***Update Ends***

Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Detention and Corrections Bureau
-Detention Investigations Unit
Patrol Operations Bureau
-Violent Offender Warrant Unit

Joseph Thomas Gibson (Arrested)
DOB: 05/30/1981
Address: 2483 13^th Avenue North, St. Petersburg
Arrested for Introduction of Contraband; and Conspiracy to Introduce Contraband to a County Detention Facility

Christopher Blanchard (Inmate –charges added)
DOB: 08/10/1979
Address: Pinellas County Jail
Arrest charge added: Conspiracy to Introduce Contraband to a County Detention Facility

Jonathan Bytautas (Inmate – charges added)
DOB: 07/08/1983
Address: Pinellas County Jail
Arrest charge added: Conspiracy to Introduce Contraband to a County Detention Facility

What:
Detectives assigned to the Detention Investigations Unit (DIU) have arrested one man and added charges to two inmates in the Pinellas County Jail in connection with the introduction of the controlled substance Suboxone into the Pinellas County Jail.

When:
The suspect was arrested and charges added on the inmates at the Pinellas County Jail on Wednesday, November 05, 2014.
The investigation began on October 18, 2014.

Where:
The crime occurred at the Pinellas County Jail located at 14400 49^th Street North in Clearwater.

Why/How:
On October 18, 2014, detectives assigned to the Detention Investigations Unit received a tip regarding a possible drug smuggling operation involving the introduction of the prescription drug Suboxone into the Pinellas County Jail via the U.S. Mail.

Detectives began their investigation and through various investigative techniques were able to identify 33-year-old Joseph Thomas Gibson as the person responsible for mailing the controlled substances to the jail facility; and inmates 35-year-old Christopher Blanchard and 31-year-old Jonathan Bytautas as the recipients.

Detectives say that on October 31, 2014, they identified two suspicious mail parcels addressed to Blanchard and Bytautas. The parcels were examined and determined to have Suboxone concealed in the seal portion of the envelopes.

Gibson was arrested on November 5, 2014 for Introduction of Contraband; and Conspiracy to Introduce Contraband to a County Detention Facility; and was transported to the Pinellas County Jail without further incident

Arrest charges for Conspiracy to Introduce Contraband to a County Detention Facility were added to inmates Blanchard and Bytautas.

The investigation continues.