Karen S. Holt, 61, of Valparaiso, is accused of bringing contraband into the Westville Correctional Facility in Westville on Nov. 6, 2026. Investigators were contacted at approximately 3:59 p.m. after staff reported smelling marijuana from Holt’s property.

A sergeant followed the odor to Holt’s jacket pocket, where he found an oval-shaped object wrapped in what appeared to be a blue balloon or glove and brown paper towel, along with a pack of Newport cigarettes. Investigators collected the items and searched Holt and her property again. The affidavit says no additional contraband was found.

Holt waived her Miranda rights and agreed to speak with investigators, according to the affidavit. She acknowledged the questioning concerned contraband she had brought into the facility. Holt allegedly said she concealed the oval-shaped object in her vaginal cavity. Asked what she knew was in the package, she said, “they said it was marijuana”.

Holt said the cigarettes were for her personal use and that she had hidden them in the waistband of her uniform pants. Asked if she had trafficked contraband into the facility before, she initially said, “no, this was my first time”. Asked how much she was paid for the package, she said, “nothing, they were supposed to give me $200 but they haven’t given it to me yet”.

The affidavit says Holt later admitted she had trafficked packages “about 4 or 5 or 6 times” and had received several payments, including two $500 transactions, one $200 transaction and several $75 transactions. She said one incarcerated person wanted her to hold his money. Asked why, she replied, “I don’t know”.

Investigators say Holt told them she met a woman at a Walmart in Plymouth on Nov. 4 to pick up the package found on Nov. 6. The affidavit also describes an earlier meeting with a former incarcerated person at a Portage restaurant on Oct. 26, followed by Holt bringing a package into the facility on Oct. 28. Holt allegedly acknowledged knowing the packages contained drugs and said the package found Nov. 6 contained marijuana and a cellphone.

The affidavit also alleges Holt had sexual relationships with incarcerated people. Holt nodded when asked whether she was romantically and sexually involved with one incarcerated person. She said they had intercourse in his room multiple times and told investigators they spoke by phone and said to one another, “I love you”. The affidavit further alleges Holt had sexual intercourse with another incarcerated person.

Holt was suspended without pay pending an investigation and taken to the LaPorte County Jail.

Charges filed November 9, 2026:

Bribery, Level 5 felony

Trafficking with an inmate involving a controlled substance, Level 5 felony

Sexual misconduct, Level 5 felony