Site last updated: Sunday, August 16, 2026

Log In

Reset Password
Butler County's great daily newspaper

Inmates allegedly had drugs in prison

Two inmates find themselves in deeper trouble after guards found drugs in their cells at the Butler County Prison, authorities said.

Arraigned Wednesday on felony charges of possession of a controlled substance by an inmate were Scott W. Braden,34, of Meadville, Crawford County; and Darin L. Burke, 27, of McKeesport, Allegheny County.

A Sunday search of Braden’s cell in the restrictive housing unit turned up three full Suboxone strips in an envelope that was under his mattress, said Butler County Detective Tim Fennell.

Suboxone is a drug prescribed to treat addiction to heroin and powerful painkillers like oxycodone. It comes in thin strips, which dissolve under the tongue.

Braden has been in the prison since July 11 after Butler police arrested him for driving drunk in a stolen minivan traveling the wrong way in the 100 block of North Bluff Street.

During a search of the vehicle, officers found a wallet that contained credit cards belonging to Braden and a University of Pittsburgh student.

The student, a woman, did not know Braden had her debit card or Pitt identification card.

Police said they found another credit card, this one belonging to a Butler Township man, when they searched Braden’s shorts.

The owner of that card later told investigators that his vehicle had been broken into and the card stolen, documents said.

Police later determined Braden had used the man’s card to make nearly $50 in purchases at stores in Butler and Center townships.

He is being held on $45,000 cash bail in connection with several different cases.

Meanwhile, the odor of marijuana on Dec. 1 led guards to Burke’s cell, which also is in the restrictive housing unit, according to court documents.

While being striped searched, a red balloon fell out of Burke’s sock. He tried to hide it by stepping on it. Inside the balloon, Fennell said, was about 2 grams of suspected marijuana.

A drug test later confirmed Burke had THC, the hallucinogenic chemical in marijuana, in his system, documents said.

Burke, a felon, has been in the prison since Nov. 30 when the U.S. Marshals Service placed him there on a hold detainer. It was not known this morning why the marshals picked him up.

More in Digital Media Exclusive

Subscribe to our Daily Newsletter

* indicates required
TODAY'S PHOTOS