Inmate tries to sneak razor blades, other contraband into Suffolk jail, sheriff's office says

A just-sentenced inmate bound for state prison was caught trying to sneak ceramic razor blades, drugs and other contraband into a Suffolk jail in Yaphank, the sheriff's office said Tuesday.

Although the inmate, 36-year-old William Santiago of Holtsville, initially denied possessing contraband, on May 18, he later acknowledged what was hidden in his body, after an officer spotted it, according to Sgt. Paul Spinella, a spokesman for the sheriff's office, which runs the jail.

Once an inmate is sentenced, he is subject to being strip-searched, which is what uncovered the contraband, the spokesman said.

After the contraband was seen, Santiago produced from his body: "three large ceramic razor blades, six small ceramic razor blades, one small bag of fentanyl, eleven bundles containing over 100 strips of suboxone, K2 (synthetic marijuana), match strikers, rolling papers, and numerous match heads," the office said in a news release.

In addition to the sentence of 3- to 6- years for felony criminal possession of a weapon, for which he had just been sentenced, he now faces 11 additional counts of promoting prison contraband in the first degree, nine counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, one count of promoting prison contraband in the second degree and two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree, the release said. 

Santiago is to be arraigned on these charges Thursday at First District Court in Central Islip, according to online court records. 

Santiago couldn't be reached for comment, and the court records do not list an attorney.

By Matthew Chayes

matthew.chayes@newsday.comchayesmatthew

Matthew Chayes, a Newsday reporter since 2007, covers New York City.