An inmate allegedly attempted to smuggle drugs into the Middleton correctional facility after being ordered to return following his release due to COVID-19 concerns.

Eric Jalbert, 31, turned himself into the Essex County Correctional Facility on April 21 following an order from Salem Superior Court. While he was being booked, authorities allegedly found 15 Suboxone strips and a small bag each of marijuana and tobacco during a body scan, according to the Essex County Sheriff’s Department in a news release.

He’s being charged with two counts of introduction of contraband to a correctional facility and one count each of possession of a class B substance (Suboxone), and possession with intent to distribute a class B substance (Suboxone), the release said.


A judge dropped Jalbert’s $50,000 bail to house arrest with GPS monitoring back on April 14, according to authorities, while he awaited trial for a trafficking fentanyl over 10 grams charge. This decision was reversed on April 21 since the judge said he couldn’t serve his house arrest at his mother’s home — she lives in a housing complex for seniors and the disabled and guests aren’t allowed to stay more than two weeks. The judge further noted that Jalbert left the apartment “on numerous occasions” while on house arrest.

Jalbert is to be arraigned on the new charges at a later time, authorities said.

Get Boston.com's e-mail alerts:

Sign up and receive coronavirus news and breaking updates, from our newsroom to your inbox.