Johnston County Sheriff Steve Bizzell and District Attorney Susan Doyle have requested the SBI investigate allegations made against Johnston County jailors from four bail bond agents.

The allegations involve jailors being paid kickbacks in exchange for giving preferential treatment to certain bail bondsmen.

Sheriff Bizzell told WTSB he takes the allegations seriously but believes the detention officers will be cleared. WTSB is reporting on the contents of a four-page letter sent to Sheriff Bizzell, District Attorney Doyle, Chief District Court Judge Andy Corbett and Clerk of Court Will Crocker dated July 27. The letter is signed by Royle Fox of American Bail Bonds, William Clark of 1-2-3 Bail Bonds, Niki Daniels of DNA Bail Bonds and Dawn Holden-Daniels of Ain’t Misbehavin‚Bail Bonds. Calling themselves “Agents Who Have Had Enough,” they claim corruption among jailors is costing them business. Allegations include detention officers being paid 1 percent of a bond to refer inmates to specific bondsmen and $300 being paid to a jailor for “weekend services.”

The N.C. Department of Insurance (DOI), which licenses bail bonds agents, has also been asked to assist the SBI with the investigation.

“District Attorney Susan Doyle and I jointly requested the SBI investigate the allegations of illegal conduct of a bondsman and Johnston County Jail employees,” Sheriff Bizzell told WTSB Tuesday. “It really comes down to detention officers recommending inmates to certain bondsmen.”

Sheriff Bizzell said inmates can select any bondsman, and a list of all bondsmen is posted beside a telephone in the booking area of the jail where inmates are allowed to make one phone call.

“Unlawful, unethical and unprofessional conduct will not be tolerated in our jail,” Sheriff Bizzell wrote in an internal letter to Jail Capt. Bonnie Strickland dated Aug. 4. “I am confident that this investigation willclear any employee of the Johnston County Jail of any criminal wrongdoing and will reinsure the integrity of our jail.”

Bondsmen are typically paid 10 to 15 percent of a secured bond, which is not refunded.