Women charged with passing drugs to an inmate

HOUGHTON — Two Houghton County women are facing charges for allegedly trying to pass drugs to an inmate at the jail.

Charges are being pursued against two women — 28-year-old Jamie Pauline Ekdahl of Calumet and 35-year-old Sarah Jean McMahon of Laurium. The Houghton County Sheriff’s Office says they allegedly tried to pass a controlled substance to an inmate at the Houghton County Jail after he appeared for a court hearing.

According to court documents, the drug was buprenorphine hydrochloride, which is an opioid medication used to treat opioid addiction that can also be abused. Both women were arraigned in 97th District Court in Houghton and charged with Delivery or Manufacture of a Controlled Substance — a felony punishable by up to 7 years in prison, and Furnishing Contraband to Prisoners — a 5 year felony.

Bond was set at $10,000 cash each. They are currently lodged in the Houghton County Jail. They are scheduled to have a probable cause hearing next week and a preliminary exam in three weeks.