NORMAN — Charges against convicted killer Jerome Ersland and his son, Jeffrey Ersland, were filed Monday in Cleveland County District Court.
Jerome, 61, was charged with possession of contraband in a penal institution and Jeffrey, 36, was charged with bringing contraband into a penal institution after an incident that happened Nov. 25.
During a visit to his father at the Joseph Harp Correctional Center, Jeffrey allegedly gave his father pain medication in the form of two transparent transdermal Fentanyl patches.
The Department of Corrections officer escorting Jerome Ersland saw him pick something up off a table and place it in his left front pocket. The officer then asked Ersland what he had picked up and Ersland said it was a candy bar, according to the affidavit.
The officer then asked Ersland to show him and Ersland provided him with the two patches, which the officer took to medical staff. The officer was informed that the patches were stronger than morphine and are not issued to offenders at the correctional center, court records stated.
The affidavit stated that on Nov. 26, Jeffrey called a law enforcement officer and admitted that he had taken the transdermal patches to his father, Jerome, because he had been complaining of shoulder pain.
Jeffrey also said he knew what he had done was wrong and he knew he would be in trouble for what he had done.
On Nov. 30, Jeffrey called a law enforcement agent and admitted again to the incident.
“Ersland stated that he made a mistake and was scared and had done this because he wanted to help his dad because he is in so much pain,” court records stated.
Jerome Ersland was presented with a misconduct charge Dec. 13 for possession or manufacturing of contraband in regard to the November incident. Ersland waived his right to a hearing and pled guilty to possession of the Fentanyl patches.
OSBI results were received Jan. 2 regarding the chemical testing of the patches submitted for analysis. The results indicated that the substance discovered was Fentanyl, Schedule II.
Jerome Ersland is currently serving a life sentence for the death of 16-year-old Antwun Parker in 2009. After a jury trial in Oklahoma County, he was found guilty of shooting and killing the wounded 16-year-old robber inside an Oklahoma City pharmacy.
Jessica Bruha
366-3540
jbruha@normantranscript.com
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