HEARING SET FOR SHERIFF'S DEPUTY ACCUSED OF SMUGGLING DRUGS INTO JAIL

PROVO -- A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for a former Utah
County sheriff's deputy accused of smuggling drugs into the Utah
County Jail for an inmate.

Melissa Sprague, 34, is charged with one count of possessing of drugs
with the intent to distribute, a first-degree felony, and one
misdemeanor count of possessing drug paraphernalia.

County sheriff investigators allege Sprague agreed to smuggle
methamphetamine into the jail for an inmate, who she reportedly had a
personal relationship with, prosecutors say.

At the time, Sprague worked as a corrections officer at the
jail.

Sprague has reportedly been in negotiations with the Utah County
Attorney's Office for a plea bargain.

Judge Ray Harding has set the matter for a preliminary hearing Oct. 1.