Detroit man charged with smuggling narcotics into Michigan Department of Corrections
Three U.P. prions among correctional facilities allegedly targeted
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LANSING - A Detroit man has been charged and arraigned on multiple felony counts for allegedly smuggling narcotics into eight Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) facilities -- including three in the Upper Peninsula -- through the mail.
On Monday, John Calhoun, 36, was arraigned before Magistrate Delphia Burton in the Wayne County 36th District Court in Detroit after being charged following an investigation by the MDOC, the Michigan State Police (MSP) and the Michigan Department of Attorney General.
Calhoun faces one count of conducting a criminal enterprise, a 20-year felony; one count of delivery/manufacture of a controlled substance - Schedule 1 narcotic, 50 to 449 grams, a 20-year felony; eight counts of delivery/manufacture of a controlled substance - Schedule 1 narcotic, less than 50 grams, a seven-year felony; and eight counts of bringing contraband into prisons, a five-year felony.
Calhoun is charged as a habitual fourth offender. Magistrate Delphia Burton in the 36th District Court set Calhoun’s bond at $50,000.
According to the Michigan Department of Attorney General, several pieces of mail sent to inmates across the state in June 2024 were intercepted by the MDOC under suspicion that the mail contained narcotics.
The state alleges Calhoun sent packages that appeared to be legal mail from an attorney but actually contained narcotics, and he is reportedly familiar with the way the MDOC handled mail.
"Smuggling narcotics into correctional facilities threatens the safety and security of prison staff and inmates," said Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. "I am proud of the work my office did in partnership with MDOC and MSP to uncover this alleged scheme, and we remain committed to investigating and prosecuting those who attempt to traffic contraband into Michigan prisons."
The packages at issue were allegedly sent to the following correctional facilities:
-- Chippewa Correctional Facility
-- Kinross Correctional Facility
-- Baraga Correctional Facility
-- Thumb Correctional Facility
-- Muskegon Correctional Facility
-- Earnest C. Brooks Correctional Facility
-- Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility
-- Oaks Correctional Facility
MDOC Director Heidi E. Washington said the joint operation reflects the ongoing commitment of Michigan's public safety agencies to protect the integrity of correctional institutions, uphold the rule of law and ensure the safety of both staff and incarcerated individuals.
"The department continues to invest in contraband technology, improve search procedures and thoroughly investigate contraband attempts," Washington added. "Any effort to smuggle contraband into a Michigan correctional facility will not be tolerated and the department will seek prosecution every time."
Col. James F. Grady II, director of the MSP, also commended the detectives in the investigation for their work.
"Strong partnerships like this are critical to creating a safe prison environment," said Grady. "We share a commitment to keeping contraband out of our facilities and protecting the well-being of staff, visitors and those who are incarcerated. Our detectives did an excellent job."
The MDOC continues to take significant strides to reduce contraband as part of the Safe Prisons Initiative, according to the Michigan Department of Attorney General.
The implementation of new technologies such as body scanners, package scanners and legal mail policy changes aim to deter smuggling attempts.
In December 2025, the MDOC announced they would be implementing a new policy requiring all confidential and legal mail sent to incarcerated individuals to be provided to them as a photocopy, with the originals shredded to prevent the introduction of contraband into facilities.
In addition to the photocopying policy, the MDOC implemented TextBehind DOCS in 2025, a technology used to confirm the origin of confidential and legal mail through a reliable and free sender identity verification process.
Improved search procedures, officer training and investment in intelligence activities are further intended to address security risks, Nessel's office states.
The department has reportedly stopped over 100 incidents of contraband from coming into prison facilities since the beginning of 2026.
Calhoun will next appear before the 36th District Court on Aug. 24 for a probable cause conference.
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Sophie Vogelmann can be reached at 906-786-2021 or svogelmann@dailypress.net.