Heather Robinson faces five felony counts tied to unauthorized inmate communications.
OMAHA, NE — Douglas County sheriff’s deputies arrested former corrections employee Heather Robinson after investigators said she let jail inmates use her phone for photos, video calls and outside messages while she worked in the facility’s GED program.
Robinson, 38, is charged with five felony counts of allowing a committed offender to have unauthorized communication. The case has put new attention on security inside the Douglas County Department of Corrections, where Robinson had worked for years as an education and vocational services supervisor. County officials said the GED program has continued, but with security changes after the allegations surfaced.
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said investigators were contacted in March by staff at the Douglas County Department of Corrections after concerns were raised about Robinson’s conduct. Authorities said Robinson was suspected of letting inmates communicate with people outside the jail through her personal cellphone. Douglas County Department of Corrections Director Michael Myers said Robinson was placed on administrative leave March 29 after the department became aware of concerns involving her alleged actions. Myers said Robinson resigned the next day, March 30, while the matter was still under review.
Investigators said the case focused in part on an inmate, age 21, who was in the jail’s GED program. Authorities said Robinson allowed the inmate to use her phone during one-on-one instruction. The inmate was allowed to take photos and join video calls, and Robinson also is accused of sending text messages to the inmate’s family on his behalf. Sheriff’s deputies assigned to the Fugitive Warrants Division arrested Robinson on an active warrant after prosecutors pursued the felony counts. She was booked into jail after the arrest.
Court and law enforcement records described more evidence tied to the jail classroom. Investigators said a search warrant from March showed they suspected Robinson was posting pictures for two inmates on a Facebook account called “Tee Ghee.” The account included a photo of an inmate posing shirtless inside a jail classroom and a screenshot of a video call, according to the warrant. The warrant said multiple inmates reported hearing that Robinson took photos of two inmates and allowed them to use FaceTime with friends and family.
Investigators also reported finding a bottle of corn syrup in Robinson’s desk that tested positive for Delta-9 THC. An arrest report cited a Facebook conversation in which Robinson referred to being questioned about contraband and mentioned being a “drug runner,” while denying part of the allegation. Authorities also said a note they described as being in Robinson’s handwriting discussed “dropping” something for an inmate and being worried about cameras. Another note referred to Robinson’s feet being rubbed for 7.5 months in exchange for something, according to the affidavit.
One inmate later told investigators that Robinson requested foot rubs from him in exchange for using her phone. The inmate also said he knew of narcotics being moved through the GED classroom and said the room was a possible drop-off point because inmates from different housing units were brought there. Officials have not said whether other people will be charged. The allegations have not been proven in court, and Robinson is presumed innocent unless convicted.
The case marks a sharp turn for a program Robinson had publicly described as an important part of helping people in custody prepare for life after jail. In 2024, Robinson told First Alert 6 that the GED program had about 135 people on a waitlist and 50 to 80 people in class at any given time. “We all benefit when people do better,” Robinson said at the time. She said Douglas County wanted people to “take advantage of every opportunity and be the best person that they can be.”
The Department of Corrections said the criminal case was referred to the sheriff’s office after the internal review showed some of the alleged conduct may have violated the law. Myers thanked department employees for their work and said the agency would not comment further because of the pending criminal case. By June 17, Myers said the jail’s GED program was still operating after several security modifications. He also said Robinson’s former position had been filled.
Robinson appeared in court June 17, where her bond was set at $75,000. Court filings said a public defender could not be assigned because of a conflict of interest, so a private attorney was appointed. The next court date is scheduled for July 27. The sheriff’s office has said the investigation remains open and asked anyone with information about Robinson or possible crimes tied to her work at the Department of Corrections to contact investigators.
The arrest also drew local attention because deputies were recorded taking Robinson into custody at an apartment complex in La Vista. The video showed the moment sheriff’s deputies moved in on the former corrections employee after the warrant was issued. Officials have not released a full list of the security changes made inside the GED program, and they have not said how many inmates were interviewed during the investigation.
As of Sunday, the criminal case remained pending in Douglas County, with Robinson facing five felony counts and a July 27 court date. County corrections officials said the GED program remains active, and sheriff’s investigators said the broader review is continuing.
Author note: Last updated June 21, 2026.