A second employee at Mt. Pleasant Correctional Facility has been charged in connection with alleged contraband smuggling. Joseph Dean Martens Jr. faces felony counts of Unlawful Activity and Possession of Contraband in a Correctional Institution after reportedly accepting $3,500 to smuggle tobacco products into the prison. The alleged incident occurred on October 1, 2024, with charges filed on April 2, 2025.
Martens’ arraignment is set for May 27 at 8 a.m. at the Henry County Courthouse.
His arrest follows the March case involving Kimberly Joe Kerr, a former counselor at the facility, who is accused of engaging in a sexual relationship with an inmate and smuggling contraband. Kerr pleaded not guilty during her April arraignment. Her jury trial is scheduled for August 12.
