An investigation is underway at the Howard McLeod Correctional Center (HMCC) after a contraband cell phone was discovered during a routine cell search, according to a report. The search on Saturday, April 20th, 2024, of a cell housing inmates Antwan McCray and Timothy Holloway yielded a black AT&T cellular telephone.
Following the discovery, the phone was retrieved by Oklahoma Department of Corrections (ODOC) staff, and data was extracted from McCray's phone on Thursday, July 17th, 2024.
The data extraction reportedly revealed that on April 11th, 2024, inmate McCray was communicating via the contraband phone with an individual identified on Facebook as a former inmate, Delwyn Thomas. Analysis of the text exchanges allegedly indicated that McCray attempted to procure K2 sheets from Thomas through legal mail at HMCC.
Correctional Officer John Pugh's report detailed the initial cell search on April 20th. In addition to the cell phone found later, CO Pugh reported finding a broken drill bit, approximately six inches long, under McCray's mattress. A blue Motorola smartphone was also discovered adhered to the bottom of the cell's desk. According to CO Pugh, inmate Holloway subsequently admitted that the blue smartphone belonged to him.
On August 13th, 2024, investigators interviewed inmate Mc-Cray. After being read his Miranda Warning, McCray agreed to speak. He was questioned about the items found in the cell and the phone extraction. McCray reportedly denied knowing Thomas or anyone he communicated with on the phone.
He admitted to using the phone but claimed it did not belong to him, stating he used it to talk to 'chicks.' McCray also denied any involvement with attempting to receive contraband through legal mail and stated the drill bit was not his.
A review of the cell phone extraction on August 15th, 2024, allegedly revealed several photos of inmate McCray inside what appeared to be a prison cell, wearing orange prison clothing, and with other inmates.
Investigators also reportedly found screenshots of McCray on video calls with a female and screenshots of him video-chatting about MoneyPak transactions. A search of the phone's text messages reportedly uncovered messages containing Mc-Cray's state identification number along with the HMCC address.
