Woman accused of sending inmate book that had more than words

RACINE CO. (WITI) -- 26-year-old Serena Contreras is charged -- accused of trying to mail marijuana to a Racine County inmate.

A criminal complaint in the case charges Contreras with one count of manufacture/deliver THC, under 200 grams (repeater) -- a felony charge.

Contreras has a criminal history dating back to 2008, with convictions for retail theft, disorderly conduct, obstructing and identity theft.

A criminal complaint against her in this latest case says a Racine County Sheriff's deputy was approached by a Racine County Jail Property Clerk with a package she believed "smelled funny."

The complaint says the package was delivered via UPS, and was intended for an inmate at the jail.

The Sheriff's deputy found that the package contained a book. Inside the spine of the book was three marijuana joints, along with 13 matches, according to the complaint.

Investigators reviewed jail call logs for the inmate to which the package was supposed to be delivered, and discovered a conversation from February 20th, 2014 between the inmate and Contreras. During the conversation, the inmate is heard expressing his frustration with the fact that the package was taking so long to arrive. Contreras is heard reassuring the inmate that the package was sent and should arrive soon, according to the complaint.

Investigators spoke with Barnes & Noble personnel, who reported a customer had purchased the book on February 8th and brought the book back on February 10th.

The complaint says at this time, the cashier "repurchased" the book, and then "resold" the book to Contreras -- and then had the book shipped directly to the Racine County Jail -- something that violates store policy.

The complaint says the Barnes & Noble employee responsible quit the next day.

If convicted in this case, Contreras faces a maximum of three years and six months in prison, and/or a maximum of $10,000 in fines.