Police: Prison Drug Smuggling Ring Busted in Chester County

A Chester County Prison correctional officer smuggled heroin and prescription drugs to inmates for $100 a delivery, according to charges filed by the Chester County District Attorney.

Douglas Keck, 45, of Pottstown, is one of eight people, including four prisoners, who have been charged in relation to the alleged drug smuggling ring that began in February. They face counts of conspiracy, drug dealing, criminal use of a communication device and related charges.

According to Chester County DA Thomas Hogan, Keck befriended inmate Ray Gibase in February while covering the H Block of the prison. Together, Keck and Gibase allegedly concocted a scheme where Gibase would have friends of the inmates acquire the drugs, then Keck would get the drugs and bring them to Gibase for $100. Gibase then distributed the drugs to his fellow inmates, according to police.

Gibase, 36, is listed as a fugitive from a halfway house in Brookhaven. The other inmates charged in the scheme are Richard Nicoletti, 38, Steven Wambold, 24, and Victor Rodriguez, 27. The civilians accused of participating in the smuggling ring include Vladislav Babayan, 30, of Bristol, Brittany Pestcoe, 21, of Douglassville, and Ivelise Rodriquez, 34, of Philadelphia.

According to police, five deliveries were made between February and March before detectives caught word of the scheme. By monitoring the phone calls from the suspected inmates, investigators learned of a planned transaction for March 23 between Keck and Pestcoe, Gibase’s girlfriend. Detectives observed the transaction at a Wawa in North Coventry Township and approached Keck, who brought his four-year-old son along, according to the DA. Keck has also been charged with endangering the welfare of a child.

“As a result of his greed, this correctional officer is going from guarding inmates to being an inmate,” Hogan said in a statement.

Keck has been fired from the prison.