Jailers, two other charged in county jail contraband case

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Bob True Beisly III

Nevada Daily Mail

Two Vernon County correctional officers, an inmate and a fourth citizen have been charged in connection with the delivery of marijuana to the jail, apparently in exchange for money.

Three of the four suspects have been arrested -- correctional officers James Tumm and Colby Prough, and inmate Bob Beisly III -- and the Vernon County Sheriff's Office is seeking the public's help in locating the fourth suspect, Joanna Roberts, identified as Beisly's girlfriend in court documents. Roberts was still at large as of Wednesday evening. The Vernon County Sheriff's Office urges anyone with information about her whereabouts call (417) 667-6042.

Tumm, of Nevada, and Prough, El Dorado Springs, are each charged with the felony of delivery or possession of a controlled substance at a county jail. Bond was set at $10,000 for each of them. Prough was expected to post bond Wednesday, court officials said.

James Tumm

Bob True Beisly III also faces the same felony charge and is being held in lieu of a $100,000 cash-only bond.

Roberts also is charged with delivery or possession of a controlled substance at a county jail.

Court documents say that on Sept. 12, Beisly, who was in custody at the time on probation violation warrants, asked to speak with Vernon County Sheriff Ron Peckman. Beisly informed Peckman that he had paid a bribe to the two jailers to smuggle marijuana to him, inside the jail.

That night, Roberts, admitted to Chief Deputy Shayne Simmons that she had given money to Prough and Tumm at Beisly's request, court documents said.

Colby Prough

Roberts told the deputy that she had met Prough in the parking lot at the Vernon County Jail on Sept. 8 and gave him a check for $1,500, along with an envelope containing a small amount of marijuana and other items to be given to Beisly; security cameras also recorded the Prough's meeting Roberts and taking an envelope from her.

According to court documents, Prough admitted to having delivered the package, but denied knowing that marijuana was one of the items inside, saying he believed the envelope contained mail, a photo, a lighter and tobacco. Prough admitted that he met Roberts again on Sept. 10, at the Pilot truck stop in Nevada, where he received $1,700 in cash in lieu of cashing the $1,500 check. Prough said the money was a loan from Beisly.

Roberts also told the deputy that she'd met Tumm at the Sutherlands parking lot Sept. 10 and had paid him $1,000, stating the money was a wedding gift from Beisly to Tumm. Tumm admitted receiving the money from Roberts. He also admitted he knew that Prough had received and delivered the envelope and that Prough also had received money from Beisly.

Tumm's arraignment is scheduled for Sept. 24. Tumm is represented by Kendall Vickers, Nevada. "We intend to provide a vigorous defense, and I'm still looking into the facts," Vickers said, declining further comment at this time.

No court date was available Wednesday evening for Prough; who had no attorney on file at the time.

Beisly's arraignment is slated for Oct. 15; and documents did not list an attorney for Beisly.

Comments

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I'm curious why Beisly would set up this deal, then inform the sheriff of what took place. Especially when he and his girlfriend may be facing some felony charges now. Beisly must have expected immunity or reward of some type. Prough took a check? And took the check in the jail parking lot probably videotaped. Duh!

-- Posted by undeded on Thu, Sep 20, 2012, at 10:43 AM
Well it just shows how messed up our system is. A sherif that cant control his Jail, Jailers that are soposed to be good people and just dont care. Sad part is their is WAY more than that going on.

-- Posted by nevadaoutlaws on Thu, Sep 20, 2012, at 2:11 PM
I'd say if he is taking action on things its under control. It would be hard to be there 24/7 and watch everything that happens. Thats why its all on camera. I'm not going to be negative to the office. I'm sure they have several employees that go to work each day and do their job correctly. I'm not going to let two bad apples change my views.

-- Posted by Denis Cannon on Thu, Sep 20, 2012, at 2:21 PM
Two bad apples? Where have you been? There are a lot more problems than just two jailers getting caught. I would say things are catching up to him and he can't control them anymore. I have had enough and I think its time for a change. I voted for a republican for the first time in my life during the primary and I'll do it again in November. It's time for Ron to hang it up and let someone else take over.

-- Posted by matchstick on Thu, Sep 20, 2012, at 2:48 PM
Tumm is a good man and has never been in trouble for anything. He is not a bad apple. He is a newlywed with a baby on the way. You really think a guy with all that going on would even think of being involed in such non sense as this? I think not

-- Posted by kayrose_red on Thu, Sep 20, 2012, at 2:49 PM
This stuff has been going on for a long time, The only reason Ron is doing any thing about it now is because of reelection. he wants to show for the fist time of being sherif he is doing somthing. It is all a ploy to try and make shure he gets reelected.

-- Posted by nevadaoutlaws on Thu, Sep 20, 2012, at 3:05 PM
popcorn cookie- I am the kind of person that will believe it when I see it. Too many rumors around here to believe anything that anyone says, and im not going to believe it coming from someone who has spent "many days over the years" in the county jail. Just my opinion.

These two men will have their day in court.

Election year or not the Sheriff is doing his job. Everyone just uses the election year as an excuse. Someday their will be another Sheriff and people will be talking negative about him on here as well. You can't please everyone it seems. The elected positions are just easy targets to criticize, but they must be doing something right or they wouldn't be in that position.

-- Posted by Denis Cannon on Thu, Sep 20, 2012, at 4:49 PM
Throw away the key, Beislys have caused enough problems! How many strikes are enough?

-- Posted by speedy on Thu, Sep 20, 2012, at 8:56 PM
Please keep in mind that the charges against these people are only accusations; they have not been found guilty in a court of law.

-- Posted by Lynn A. Wade, Nevada Daily Mail editor on Thu, Sep 20, 2012, at 10:34 PM
Thank you Mr. Wade, I wish people would keep that in mind.

-- Posted by kayrose_red on Thu, Sep 20, 2012, at 10:59 PM
I don't know Prough so no comment on him. Beislys reputation speaks for him, he deserves what he gets. I do know Tumm and his family, they are good people but even good people make mistakes. If he did what he is being accused of I am sure he will take his punishment and learn from his mistake without excuses. Like I said he is a good person and has a good family to support and help him through this time of trouble.

-- Posted by ccmom on Fri, Sep 21, 2012, at 10:03 AM
I'm amazed at how quickly people are to judge in this situation. The citizens of Vernon County should let this play out in court before making such slashing comments. The court system is designed to bring justification if needed. Designed, maybe not capable as has been stated in comments, but all need their day in court before commenting on anyone's guilt. Show a little decency for this situation.

-- Posted by CLD on Fri, Sep 21, 2012, at 11:24 AM
I agree that you should be innocent until proven guilty. If you are already a trouble maker like Beisly then you should expect people to judge you otherwise. Yes, it is shocking that correctional officers are suspected as being involved in something like this. I don't know if anyone has noticed but most of the cops and deputies in our area are just local people. There are stories all the time about good guys gone bad. How do you blame the Sheriff for that? I would say if you have an issue with the Sheriff you have been a former arrestee, know someone who has been, or you're just ignorant. This has nothing to do with the Sheriff. Most of the crime is going on outside of the jail and that is where I prefer he spend his time.

-- Posted by Ozzieray on Fri, Sep 21, 2012, at 2:13 PM
I also know Tumm and his family, he played football with my son from little league on up till they graduated..He was a very good kid and very polite, His parents raised him better than this..AND LIKE THEY SAY, THEY ARE INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY...so there for I do not think they should be able to mention names or post pictures till after they are proven guilty.

-- Posted by classylady on Fri, Sep 21, 2012, at 2:33 PM
Unfortunatley Classylady, that isn't how it works anywhere. Not just here in Nevada. It's nice that this person has people that are supporting him despite the accusation. Again, the Sheriff has nothing to do with the fact that things like this become public knowledge.

-- Posted by Ozzieray on Fri, Sep 21, 2012, at 2:58 PM
I don't think I mentioned anything about the sheriff, I was just stating a fact. This needs to be changed.

-- Posted by classylady on Fri, Sep 21, 2012, at 3:26 PM
I agree with you classy lady. people make assumptions bases on what they read. so who's to say the judge for the case won't or maybe even a jury. no names should be posted. in my mind its called defamation of character. tumm is a newlywed with a baby due soon. even if he is proven innocent this article will still be out there. so he will have a very difficult time finding an employer.

-- Posted by kayrose_red on Fri, Sep 21, 2012, at 7:44 PM
in this town, you are guilty THAN you have to prove your innocence. Where were you people when others have been charged and found guilty by the town BEFORE a trial ever happened. sure don't see you standing up for them. in this town, it's all who you know. the 'system' in this town is broken. it needs to be fixed. both sheriff and police dept have a long way to go, individuals on both forces walk around this town like they are Chuck Norris on Walker Tx Ranger, they use their job to bully people when they are worse than those they arrest. arrogant, bullies. like i said before, thugs in jail and thugs on the force.

-- Posted by bewise on Tue, Sep 25, 2012, at 9:26 AM
....... sounds like thugs on NDM website as well

-- Posted by Denis Cannon on Thu, Sep 27, 2012, at 4:55 PM
sorry Denis Cannon, if you are referring to me. I am just tired of all the holier than thou people in this town that judge people and put them down. yet when they 'know' someone, of course they couldn't have done what they are being charged with. they are 'good' people. 'good' people do stupid things too.

-- Posted by bewise on Fri, Sep 28, 2012, at 5:27 PM
Rumors or not....things have gone on in the past with Peckman and it is always over looked. I think the feds need to be brought in because there is alot more going on at the jail and outside than anyone realizes. He has made a real mess of things. Anyone who was wanting a cartoon character of himself posted on the front of the Sheriffs Dept Building should have told us something right off the bat. Yosimite Sam? Yea, right. Come on people.

-- Posted by HEREWEGOAGAIN10 on Tue, Oct 2, 2012, at 8:02 AM

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