Police say recent parolee was teaching teens how to throw packages over prison fences

COLDWATER, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) – A recent parolee could be facing more charges in Branch County after police say he was caught with three teenagers outside the prison in Coldwater.

Police think the teens were being trained to throw contraband over the fences at Lakeland Correctional facility. That's what investigators tell Newschannel 3 after a parole absconder and three teens were caught outside the prison on Thursday.

Officials say 37-year-old Harold Lee Phillips of Eaton Rapids was teaching them how to throw packages over the fence.

“From what I understand these kids were going to make some money on this,” said Branch County Undersheriff Keith Eichler. “So the money probably looked good and let's go forward with it.”

Around 9:00 pm Thursday night two teenagers were caught throwing packages wrapped in plastic, allegedly filled with tobacco and most likely drugs, over the north fence. The teens had apparently walked more than a half a mile, across a field, through thick brush, fighting rain and snow. Investigators say Phillips, who was recently released from prison there, waited in a car with another teen.

“I'm sure he made some friends in prison, or owed them a favor in prison,” said Eichler.

Phillips spent at least six years in prison for several drug related charges and after getting out, failed to check in with his parole officer.

Eichler told Newschannel 3 that Phillips could have been training the teens in case he himself wound up back behind bars.

“He goes back, these kids were out there,” said Eichler, “if they have a license and can drive a car, they know where these facilities are. He kind of showed them the ropes on what to do.”