Federal Judge, U.S. Marshal Thank LC Sheriff’s Department for Work During COVID-19 Pandemic

During the Lafayette County Board of Supervisors meeting Monday, U.S. District Judge Sharion Aycock and U.S. Marshal Daniel McKittrick thanked Sheriff Joey East and his staff for their work during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s really difficult when you are dealing with an incarcerated population in close quarters and trying to keep them safe,” Aycock said at the meeting. “And yet, at the same time, (you helped) us to carry on with business.”

Aycock said the pandemic forced the U.S. District Court for the Northern District to use virtual meetings to deal with federal prisoners held at the Lafayette County Detention Center.

“That required the coordination with the people at the county jail – having those prisoners available at the right time, at the right hour. It made all the difference in the world and allowed us to continue our operations,” Aycock said.

The Lafayette County Detention Center holds federal prisoners for the U.S. District Court and the U.S. Marshal’s Office while they await trial.

“We had only one federal prisoner test positive (for COVID-19),” McKittrick said. “And they got through it OK.”

Accepting the plaque Monday along with Sheriff East was LCSD Maj. Alan Wilburn, Jail Administrator Johnny McDonald and Jail Nurse Mary Sellers.

“What we know is that we have one of the best operations going, and we are so proud of the people who were on the ground making that happen at this facility (detention center),” Aycock said. “You never see us. We never see you all, but somehow you made it work where we could continue to do what we’re supposed to be doing.”