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Inmates charged with conspiring to smuggle items
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MONROE - Two inmates in the county jail were charged Wednesday with conspiring to smuggle a Bic lighter and cigarettes into the women's cell block.

Sara Marie Lawrence, 21, reportedly got hold of an extra-large Bic lighter and a few cigarettes in September while out on work-release, wrapped them in plastic wrap and concealed them in her vagina to get the contraband past guards.

Jillian Ann Gowen, 26, is charged with aiding and encouraging her in getting the items into the jail. Her initial appearance in court is Dec. 12.

Guards got suspicious when they smelled cigarette smoke coming from the women's cell block, according to court records. Interviews with other women on the block fingered Lawrence and Gowen as the culprits, as did surveillance video footage.

Lawrence is also charged with smuggling a small amount of cocaine into the jail. Her initial appearance in court is Dec. 3.

Both women have a history of heroin addiction, according to court records.