Coram
A Bartholomew County Jail inmate accused of hiding narcotics in a body cavity, which led to a series of overdose incidents, accepted a plea agreement Monday.
Dai Von Coram, 28, of 1922 Indiana Ave., has agreed in Bartholomew Superior Court 1 to plead guilty to dealing in methamphetamine as a Level 2 felony and dealing in narcotics as a Level 4 felony.
In return, the prosecution agreed to dismiss all other charges filed in three separate cases against Coram. Felonies that were dismissed include two counts of dealing in methamphetamine, two counts of possession of methamphetamine and trafficking with a jail inmate.
Under normal circumstances, Coram would receive from 12 to 42 years in prison for the charges he admits committing. While Worton says the plea agreement limits him to no more than 15 years executed, the judge could add a period of probation or other restrictions upon Coram’s release. Sentencing is scheduled for 3 p.m. on Sept. 24.
During Monday’s hearing, Coram told Worton he has a substance abuse problem. Worton responded that the defendant will be eligible for treatment for his addiction while in prison.
On Feb. 26, four possible overdoses occurred at about the same time in the jail’s “M Block.”
One inmate appeared to be unconscious and had a very light pulse, court documents state. Three rounds of naloxone were administered before the inmate regained consciousness and was transported to Columbus Regional Hospital for further medical care.
Shortly after this incident, another “M Block” inmate began experiencing overdose symptoms and was also taken to the emergency room, receiving naloxone on the way to the hospital, court documents state. Two other inmates in the same area of the jail also experienced overdose symptoms and were transported to the hospital.
Jail staff reported the only new inmate who had arrived in “M Block” was Coram.
Investigators say they learned Coram had placed the heroin/fentanyl in pieces of aluminum foil hidden between the cheeks of the defendant’s buttocks. The body scan did not show the foil.
When the overdoses occurred, the defendant told investigators he became frightened and flushed the remaining drugs down the toilet, court documents state.
Coram was also treated at Columbus Regional Hospital after showing signs of being under the influence of his narcotics before he was sent back to jail.
