Man allegedly tried to smuggle meth into jail through laundry bin

GILLETTE (WNE) — A 51-year-old man allegedly tried to sneak more than 25 grams of meth into the Campbell County Jail during the booking process Wednesday night.

Earl Elliott was arrested Wednesday on a warrant for failing to appear on a juvenile matter. He was taken to the jail, and as he was being booked, detention staff found a black case with suspected meth in it, said Sheriff Scott Matheny.

Staff reviewed video footage of Elliott’s booking process and learned he had the black case and tried to hide it in his laundry bin, which was provided to him to put his clothes in. The meth in the case weighed 26.49 grams with packaging.

In addition to the warrant, Elliott also was charged with felony possession of meth, possession of meth with intent to deliver and taking drugs into jail, Matheny said.

This story was published on July 18, 2025.