Calcasieu Parish Authorities Probe Medical Emergencies at Sheriff’s Prison Following Suspected Drug Exposure

Authorities are investigating suspected synthetic drug use at the Sheriff Wayne McElveen Prison in Lake Charles. See the link to a recent courthouse arrest.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 21, 2026, 5:26 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from KPLC 7News Lake Charles.

Emergency Response and Facility Shakedowns

Late Thursday night, operations at the Sheriff Wayne McElveen Prison were disrupted when multiple inmates in a single tier exhibited symptoms of being under the influence of narcotics. Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Stitch Guillory confirmed that medical personnel were deployed to evaluate the affected individuals. While the inmates were found to have stable vital signs and remained alert, they were kept under close observation for several hours before being returned to their cells. In the immediate aftermath, deputies and the Calcasieu Parish Combined Anti-Drug Task Force executed two comprehensive "shakedowns" of the facility to locate and remove any remaining illicit substances.

Links to Courthouse Contraband Arrest

Investigators are exploring a direct connection between the prison incidents and a security breach at the Calcasieu Parish Courthouse on March 12. During a high-profile homicide trial, a defense attorney’s staffer, identified as Demi Fontana, was allegedly observed passing a note to a defendant. Louisiana State Police reported that the paper tested positive for synthetic marijuana. Fontana was subsequently arrested on charges including possession with intent to distribute and the introduction of contraband into a correctional facility. Authorities believe the synthetic drugs found in the prison may have originated from similar methods of smuggling.

Focus on Synthetic Substances

Preliminary findings suggest that a synthetic drug is the primary cause of the medical emergencies. Sheriff Guillory emphasized that identifying the specific entry point for these substances is a top priority for the ongoing investigation. Synthetic marijuana, often difficult to detect through traditional screening due to its ability to be applied to paper or fabric, continues to pose a significant security challenge for correctional administrators. The Combined Anti-Drug Task Force is currently working to determine if other individuals outside the facility are facilitating the flow of these dangerous chemicals to the inmate population.