New Body Scanner at Stephens County Jail Intercepts Drugs in First Week

A new body scanner installed at the Stephens County Jail has already proven effective in detecting contraband, intercepting drugs hidden on an incoming inmate within its first week of operation.

The Stephens County Board of Commissioners approved the purchase of the Tek84 Intercept body scanner in late November 2024, utilizing funds from the opioid response fund. The aim of the new technology is to prevent illegal drugs from entering the jail.

The scanner was delivered in January 2025, and jail staff spent the following two months working on installation and training. The Tek84 Intercept can detect both metallic and nonmetallic threats, including weapons, drugs, and cell phones. It features a touchscreen monitor, photo-matching capabilities, and an ICI thermal scanner to identify potential health concerns.

During the week of March 24-28, the scanner was implemented for all incoming inmates. Within that first week, jail officers discovered over half an ounce of suspected methamphetamine and a small amount of marijuana concealed on a female inmate who had been arrested by another agency. Sheriff Rusty Fulbright noted that the location of the drugs would have been difficult to detect during a roadside search, highlighting the value of the new x-ray technology in quickly locating and confiscating hidden contraband before the booking process.

“Fighting the drug epidemic is a top priority for the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office,” stated Sheriff Fulbright. “By using this cutting-edge technology, we can hopefully intercept dangerous drugs and other contraband before they reach our inmates and stop the dangerous flow of illegal substances within our facility. This is just one of the many steps we are taking to curb the drug crisis in our community and ensure that our detention center remains safe and secure for everyone.”