Former Allegheny County corrections officer accused of bringing drugs into jail
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - A former Allegheny County corrections officer was arrested for allegedly bringing drugs into the jail.
Thirty-four-year-old Raymond Toomey resigned on Dec. 12, two days after the facility's internal affairs started investigating him.
K2, a synthetic cannabinoid, was found in the jail after a corrections sergeant became suspicious of an interaction between Toomey and Lamar Castile, an inmate, Allegheny County police said.
Investigators said a search of Toomey's car and house turned up suboxone, payment for the drugs and an electronic device used to communicate about the contraband payment and pickup.
According to the criminal complaint, Toomey admitted to investigators he picked up the synthetic marijuana from Castile's relative to deliver in jail in exchange for about $2,500 dollars.
He turned himself in to police on Monday and was taken to the jail to await arraignment on charges of contraband, criminal conspiracy, possession with intent to deliver and related offenses.
Toomey was arraigned before a judge and released on nonmonetary bond. He has a preliminary hearing scheduled for next month.
His attorney Casey White said he's relieved the first step is over.
"Some mistakes were made," said White. "Some admissions were made, and that's the objective here, is to have this move swiftly through the criminal justice system, and hopefully all parties can move forward."
Police also filed charges against Castile and his relative. Police said Castile is already in jail and 33-year-old William Gilliam was arrested on Tuesday afternoon.
"My goal is to show the judge, whoever it may be, that he was cooperative," said White. "He didn't hide from the fact. You have to remember the Allegheny County Jail is filled with people who have been accused of crimes and in this situation, Mr. Toomey was the object of some manipulation."
This also isn't the first time Toomey is facing charges.
Back in 2017 when he was a Pittsburgh police officer, Toomey was placed on paid administrative leave after he was charged for a domestic violence incident in Massachusetts.
Shortly after those charges were dropped and Toomey was back on the job, cell phone video surfaced of Toomey kicking and kneeing a man on the South Side.
According to the criminal complaint, the man allegedly threatened Toomey and a bar employee. That incident was also investigated.
"He resigned, and it was an amicable resolution," said White. "He understands those previous allegations would shed a further negative light but, again, it's mutually exclusive."
White said he's not concerned about these past accusations but instead focused on preparing for the court case in January.
"Again, he just wants to expedite this and be an everyday, regular guy and move forward, and he'll support his kids," White said.