Prison Smuggling Attempt in Chippewa County Results inArrests, Suspects Arraigned

CHIPPEWA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. Two subjects have been arrested and arraigned in court
after attempting to smuggle drugs into a correctional facility. One of the subjects was a Michigan
Department of Corrections (MDOC) Officer.

Last month, the Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team (UPSET) East received a tip
from MDOC regarding a potential smuggling attempt involving a MDOC Officer. In partnership
with MDOC, detectives from Michigan State Police (MSP) Upper Peninsula Substance
Enforcement Team- East, along with troopers from the MSP Sault Ste. Marie and St. Ignace
Posts, initiated an investigation that led to coordinated traffic stops of the suspects’ vehicle(s).

The investigation revealed that 59-year-old Andre Taylor from Clinton Township, MI had
coordinated with 57-year-old Edward King from Detroit, MI attempting to smuggle illegal
contraband into Kinross Correctional Facility. Taylor was employed as a corrections officer with
MDOC and was on a temporary work assignment to Kinross Correctional Facility.

MSP troopers completed the traffic stops, executed search warrants, and further subsequent
investigation resulted in a significant amount of illegal contraband being seized, including:
 15 full sheets of suspected K2 paper
 50 A12 suboxone strips
 514 N8 suboxone strips
 74 grams of marijuana wax
 62 grams of methamphetamine

The estimated value of the seized items within the illicit prison system is estimated to be
approximately $443,000. In addition, $4,592 in cash was seized from Taylor, which was
suspected to be payment for the illegal operation.

Taylor and King were arrested and lodged in the Chippewa County Jail. Both Taylor and King
have been arraigned in the 91 st District Court. Taylor’s bond was set at $25,000 and King’s bond
was set at $150,000. Both have posted bond and are expected to be back in court on 2/27/25.
The defendants are considered innocent unless proven guilty.