Knox County Sheriff Daniel Weckesser informed the Knox County Board of Commissioners during their August 28 meeting that his department will conduct regular searches using K9 units at the Knox County Jail. The initiative aims to reduce the amount of drugs possessed by inmates.
According to a YouTube recording of the meeting, Weckesser explained that inmates conceal drugs within body cavities, wrapped in a manner that evades detection by body scans. Indictments and charges related to drug smuggling into the jail, as well as an overdose incident, prompted the sheriff to enhance search measures.
The video also shows Knox County Jail Administrator James Crawford reporting that on August 28, the jail housed 83 inmates—35 from Mount Vernon and the remainder from Knox County. In response to commissioners' inquiries, Weckesser confirmed that while the jail can accommodate 24 female inmates with a total capacity of 100, it has previously housed up to 106 individuals. The cost of housing one inmate is approximately $65 per day.
Crawford joined the Knox County Sheriff's Office with over 28 years of public safety experience, according to a Facebook post. He began his career in 1996 with the Coshocton County Sheriff's Office Mounted Unit and advanced through various ranks until he was elected sheriff of Coshocton County, serving from 2021 to 2025.
In the meeting video, Crawford said that more than 22 years of his public safety experience were in administration. He has managed budgets, union contracts, and vendor contracts throughout his career, which has made him well-versed in budgeting. Crawford expressed satisfaction with what he has observed at the Knox County Sheriff's Office and invited commissioners and others to tour the jail with prior arrangements.
