A Florida criminal defense attorney, Nathan Williams, was arrested on January 5, 2025, in connection with a months-long investigation into illegal drug smuggling at the Duval County Jail in Jacksonville. Williams, 37, faces eight felony charges, including two counts of giving drugs or controlled substances to inmates. The charges stem from his alleged involvement in a scheme to smuggle “drug-soaked” papers into the jail, which he purportedly disguised as legal documents.
The investigation, named Operation Stamp Collection, was initiated in response to a noticeable increase in drug overdoses among the inmate population at the facility. Authorities began looking into the flow of illegal substances into the jail in February 2024, and the probe eventually led to Williams’ arrest. According to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, Williams worked with inmates and their families to bring sheets of paper soaked in ADB-PINACA, a synthetic marijuana substance known as K2, into the jail. This form of synthetic drug is a Schedule I controlled substance and is often abused by inmates in various ways, including smoking or ingesting it.
Undersheriff Shawn Coarsey, speaking at a press conference, explained that Williams allegedly coordinated with inmates and their families to bring in the drug-soaked sheets, which were passed off as legal paperwork. The paper would be soaked in a liquid form of the synthetic drug and smuggled into the jail, where inmates would then use it. Authorities believe that Williams was compensated for his role in the scheme, which involved smuggling the drugs into the jail in exchange for money.
The investigation revealed that Williams, who had no prior criminal history, had been delivering the laced papers to the jail, and these actions were part of a broader effort to smuggle drugs into the facility. Coarsey emphasized that while there were 21 arrests connected to the investigation, these were individual cases, not part of a larger conspiracy. The arrests were made over the course of the investigation, and more arrests are anticipated as the inquiry continues.
In addition to the drug-related charges, Williams faces charges for giving or receiving communication from an inmate, conspiracy to introduce controlled substances into the jail, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device. Despite the serious charges, Williams, who is also a member of the National Guard, was able to post bond and was released from custody on January 7. He is scheduled to appear in court for his next hearing on January 28.
The arrest of a criminal defense attorney involved in such a scheme has raised significant concerns, particularly about the abuse of legal privileges to facilitate criminal activities within correctional facilities. The ongoing investigation seeks to uncover further details of the operation and prevent the continued flow of illegal substances into the jail system.
