Jerome Ersland Cited for Possession of Drugs in Prison

Jerome Ersland is in trouble in prison.  The department of corrections confirms
Erlsand was disciplined for possession of contraband following a visit from his
son.  The DOC says Ersland’s son, Jeff
Ersland, visited his father and following the visit a guard noticed Jerome put
something in his pocket.   The guard asked Ersland what it was and the
DOC says Ersland replied it was a candy bar. 
A search revealed it was patches of a powerful pain killer,
Fentanyl. 

The DOC says Ersland’s son admitted to smuggling in the drug
into the prison because his father was in pain.

Ersland was written up for possession of contraband and
received another reprimand for testing positive on a urine drug screen.  It is unknown what drug was in Ersland’s
system or where he received any illicit medications.

“We’ve got a poor decision at a crucial time, why would
you do that?” questioned Doug Friensen, Ersland’s attorney.  Friesen says the incident was a mistake and
could do damage to the appeal process.

“There's no getting away that this is a screw up,”
Friesen told Fox 25.  “I sympathize with
the pain is he is in. But the reality is you've got some pain here, I think
you've got a halfway legitimate shot at getting out of here and not spending
the rest of your life in here; you know why take any chances?”

Ersland wore a back brace during the time he worked at
Reliable Pharmacy, but doctors at the Oklahoma County jail said there was no
medical need for the brace.  Ersland was
on high doses of morphine during the time of the robbery that ended with him
killing one of the would-be robbers.

Friesen says since he’s been off the pain medications,
Ersland’s demeanor has changed.  “He has admitted
to me, quite frankly, that he is thinking much clearer now while he is in constant
pain.”

The DOC will turn its investigation over to the Cleveland
County District Attorney’s office.  The
district attorney will decide what, if any, charges will be filed against Jeff
or Jerome Ersland. 

Posted: Thursday, November 29 2012, 09:51 PM CST