CENTREVILLE— A former employee with the Alabama Department of Corrections has pleaded guilty to five charges in Bibb County Circuit Court.

O’Quindell Rashad Pernell, 22 of Selma pleaded guilty this week to possession of controlled substance; possession of marijuana, first degree; promoting prison contraband, second degree; attempted distribution of controlled substance and promoting prison contraband, first degree.

District Attorney Michael Jackson of the 4th Judicial District said this was a blind plea, meaning Pernell did not enter into a plea agreement with Jackson’s office.

Sentencing is set for May 14 after a pre-sentence report on Pernell is completed.

Jackson said Pernell worked as a correctional officer at the Bibb Correctional Facility, a state prison, in Brent.

“On March 31, 2009, during a routine search of employees, Pernell was found to have hidden under his clothing, the following: cocaine, marijuana, cell phones and hydrocodone (Loratab) pills,” Jackson said.

After an interview Pernell admitted to bringing the items into the prison. He said he was supposed to receive $400 from and inmate, the district attorney added.

A search of his vehicle resulted in recovery of marijuana and several cell phone chargers, Jackson said.