Women hid meth, phones in candles to smuggle them into Nebraska prison, affidavit says

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Two women are facing several felony charges after they tried sneaking drugs into a Lincoln prison in 2021, court documents say.

On April 20, 2021, a package for an inmate was delivered to the Reception and Treatment Center, and the facility’s religious coordinator picked it up.

The inmate had known about the package and asked about it, according to an arrest affidavit.

The package – which contained seven large candles, four smaller candles, incense and religious clothes – went through an X-ray scanner.

The candles contained “unknown items,” so they were turned over to the Nebraska State Patrol, the affidavit says.

During an investigation, authorities discovered that the candles contained 22.6 grams of synthetic cannabis compounds and 57.04 grams of meth.

The candles also held multiple cellphones, glass pipes, rolling papers and vape pens, according to the affidavit.

LeAnne Strong, 53, and Dawnelle Vaughn, 39, had made the candles to sneak contraband inside prisons, the affidavit alleges.

Investigators discovered the duo’s identities through surveillance videos, interviews and fingerprints.

Vaughn was taken into custody on Nov. 17, and Strong was arrested Wednesday, according to court records.

Prosecutors have since charged Vaughn with five felonies, including conspiracy to deliver meth.

Strong was charged Thursday with four felonies, including conveyance of an article to an inmate.

Both of the women’s bonds have been set at $150,000.  They each must pay $15,000 to be released from jail.

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