Teens accused of planning to throw phones over prison fence

LEAKESVILLE, Miss. (AP) - Authorities say two teenagers were planning to throw bags of contraband - including cash, cocaine and dozens of cellphones - over security fences for inmates inside a southeastern Mississippi prison.

The Mississippi Department of Corrections said in a news release that a Leakesville police officer was acting on information when he arrested a 16-year-old and 17-year-old who were driving a car Saturday that held bags of contraband, including 51 cellphones, $500 in cash, 25 cellphone batteries and various drugs.

Officials believe the teenagers are part of a major smuggling ring involving the South Mississippi Correctional Facility in Greene County.

On Sunday, in an unrelated case, authorities arrested 42-year-old Tony Shoots after finding a bag of contraband between two perimeter fences at the prison. It’s unclear whether Shoots has an attorney.