Inmate allegedly brought fentanyl into jail and delivered it to another inmate who nearly died

Inmate allegedly brought fentanyl into jail and delivered it to another inmate who nearly died

Travis Michael Gale of Oceana County faces four felony charges in connection to the incident

Gale

LUDINGTON — A 31-year-old Oceana County man who is a habitual offender faces multiple charges for allegedly bringing fentanyl into the Mason County Jail and furnishing it to another inmate who nearly died after taking the drug, according to Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole.

“On Nov. 15, 2023 shortly before 6 p.m., Mason County corrections deputies were notified of a ‘medical emergency’ in a cell within the Mason County Jail,” stated Sheriff Cole. “Corrections deputies immediately began life saving measures on the inmate, which included CPR and the administration of NARCAN. The inmate was provided further medical treatment by members of the Ludington Fire Department, Ludington Police Department, Mason County Sheriff’s Office road patrol deputies and Life EMS. Life EMS transported the inmate to Corewell Health Ludington Hospital, and he did survive the incident, making a full recovery.

“Mason County Sheriff’s Office detectives and road patrol deputies investigated this matter and concluded that the inmate had ingested fentanyl.”

Mason County Sheriff’s Office detectives swore to a four-count felony warrant Tuesday, Jan. 16, against Travis Michael Gale on charges of:

• Controlled substance — delivery/manufacture (cocaine, heroin or another narcotic) less than 50 grams, which is a felony punishable by up 20 years.
• Jails — furnishing contraband to prisons, a five-year felony.
• Jails — prisoner in possession of contraband, a five-year felony.
• Controlled substance — possession (cocaine, heroin or another narcotic) less than 25 grams, which is a four-year felony.

Gale has a lengthy criminal record and is being charged as a fourth-offense habitual offender. He was lodged in the Mason County Jail on an unrelated charge when the latest charges were filed. He remains lodged on a $250,000.00 cash/surety bond.

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