BLOUNTSTOWN – A woman who attempted to smuggle drugs, tobacco, and cell phones into the Calhoun Correctional Institution has been sentenced to 60 months in prison, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.
Djuana Kay Whitfield, 55, of Lutz, pled no contest to Trafficking in Amphetamines (more than 14 grams), Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute, and three counts of Introduction of Contraband into a State Correctional Facility. Circuit Court Judge Brandon Young sentenced her to 60 months in prison Sept. 23. The first three years are minimum-mandatory.
Calhoun County Chief Prosecutor Josh White was prepared to call witnesses and present evidence proving the defendant was concealing 54 grams of methamphetamine, two cell phones, and tobacco as she awaited entry into the facility to visit an inmate.
“The DOC and Office of Inspector General’s proactive intervention operation did what was intended – it stopped a large amount of contraband from entering the facility and caught the person responsible,” White said. “Operations like this, which are ongoing, show the DOC is serious about stopping the flow of contraband and holding accountable those who attempt it. This case shows the potential outcome for anyone considering this kind of behavior.”
The evidence gathered in the investigation by the Florida Department of Corrections, Office of Inspector General, showed there was a planned contraband interdiction operation at CCI on May 17, 2026.
DOC investigators and two drug-detecting K-9s planned a free-air sniff of vehicles in the staff and visitor parking areas. K-9 Csili, handled by Capt. Justin McDowell, alerted to the odor of narcotics from a silver Volkswagen Jetta. The vehicle belonged to the defendant, who was at a nearby pavilion awaiting entry into the facility.
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A search of the vehicle revealed 2 grams of methamphetamine and a “cylindrical package” wrapped in black electrical tape in a suitcase in the rear of the vehicle.
DOC Det. Louis Cordova said the defendant then admitted she was concealing two more cylindrical packages “on her person.” Inside those packages, investigators found the 54 grams of methamphetamine, cell phones, and tobacco.
Basford thanked the DOC for being proactive in intercepting the contraband and its investigation that led to a successful prosecution. For more information, contact Mike Cazalas at mike.cazalas@sa14.fl.gov, or call 850-381-7454.