Two charged with trying to mail drugs into the Manatee County jail, cops say

Two Bradenton men set up what they thought was an elaborate plan to mail drugs into the Manatee County jail, but a recorded phone call in which they used their real names proved to be their downfall, according to the sheriff’s office.

Jordan Bledsoe, 29, is in jail on charges of violating his probation after serving 10 months for aggravated battery in May of 2019. While on probation he tested positive for methamphetamine use and went back to jail.

Bledsoe and John Headley, 57, were charged Feb. 20 with felony introduction of a controlled substance into a detention facility.

Deputies say Bledsoe and Headley set up a scheme to have post cards with suboxone strips under the stamps mailed to another inmate by Headley using a fake name. Deputies determined the intended recipient was Bledsoe and then reviewed his recorded phone calls from the jail.

In those conversations, Bledsoe identified himself by name and asked Headley if he, “Sent those out Monday morning.”

Headley responded, “Those post cards,” according to the arrest report.

Bledsoe then acknowledged they were sent and knew when to expect them, but deputies gathered further information in another call Bledsoe made to an unidentified female, saying, “Babe will you try and do something for me, try to get a hold of Chuck or Chuckie, tell them if they want to make a little bit of money to do this for me.”

The post cards were seized and tested prior to delivery inside the jail.

Headley was released on a $1,500 bond the day after his arrest while Bledsoe remains in custody on the new charge and the probation violation charge.