CLEARFIELD — A former employee of the state prison in Houtzdale is charged with felony contraband for allegedly having drugs at the facility.

Stephen Harris Webster, 39, Altoona, is also charged with intentional possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and a traffic summary in connection to his actions on Aug. 11.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, police were called to SCI Houtzdale because Webster was suspected of bringing contraband inside the prison.

A corrections officer told the responding trooper Webster had “denied consent to be searched and resigned from his position.” Webster was still on site in his vehicle in the parking lot.

As police passed his vehicle, they noticed he was reaching under his seat.

He accelerated his vehicle to a “high rate of speed while traveling through the parking lot,” according to court documents.

Eventually, Webster stopped at the entrance to the prison where he agreed to speak with the officers.

He allegedly admitted he had placed heroin under the front seat and believed there was an uncapped needle also under the seat.

A search of the vehicle uncovered a bag with a white powdery substance believed to be heroin, seven stamp bags and the used needle, according to the report.

Webster waived his right to a preliminary hearing Wednesday during centralized court in Clearfield County, sending the case on to the county court.

He is free on $10,000, unsecured bail.