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Ohio Revised Code

Ohio Rev. Code § 2921.36 (2026)

Illegal conveyance of weapons, drugs or other prohibited items onto grounds of detention facility or institution

✓ current as of May 2026
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Effective:
September 30, 2025
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 96 - 136th General Assembly
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(A) No person shall knowingly convey, or attempt to convey, onto the grounds of a detention facility or of an institution, office building, or other place that is under the control of the department of mental health and addiction services, the department of developmental disabilities, the department of youth services, or the department of rehabilitation and correction any of the following items:

(1) Any deadly weapon or dangerous ordnance, as defined in section 2923.11 of the Revised Code, or any part of or ammunition for use in such a deadly weapon or dangerous ordnance;

(2) Any drug of abuse, as defined in section 3719.011 of the Revised Code;

(3) Any intoxicating liquor, as defined in section 4301.01 of the Revised Code, except for small amounts of wine for sacramental purposes when the person engaging in the specified conduct is a cleric, as defined in section 2317.02 of the Revised Code.

(B) Division (A) of this section does not apply to any person who conveys or attempts to convey an item onto the grounds of a detention facility or of an institution, office building, or other place under the control of the department of mental health and addiction services, the department of developmental disabilities, the department of youth services, or the department of rehabilitation and correction pursuant to the written authorization of the person in charge of the detention facility or the institution, office building, or other place and in accordance with the written rules of the detention facility or the institution, office building, or other place.

(C) No person shall knowingly deliver, or attempt to deliver, to any person who is confined in a detention facility, to a child confined in a youth services facility, to a prisoner who is temporarily released from confinement for a work assignment, or to any patient in an institution under the control of the department of mental health and addiction services or the department of developmental disabilities any item listed in division (A)(1), (2), or (3) of this section.

(D) No person shall knowingly deliver, or attempt to deliver, cash to any person who is confined in a detention facility, to a child confined in a youth services facility, or to a prisoner who is temporarily released from confinement for a work assignment.

(E) No person shall knowingly deliver, or attempt to deliver, to any person who is confined in a detention facility, to a child confined in a youth services facility, or to a prisoner who is temporarily released from confinement for a work assignment a cellular telephone, two-way radio, or other electronic communications device.

(F)(1) It is an affirmative defense to a charge under division (A)(1) of this section that the weapon or dangerous ordnance in question was being transported in a motor vehicle for any lawful purpose, that it was not on the actor's person, and, if the weapon or dangerous ordnance in question was a firearm, that it was unloaded and was being carried in a closed package, box, or case or in a compartment that can be reached only by leaving the vehicle.

(2) It is an affirmative defense to a charge under division (C) of this section that the actor was not otherwise prohibited by law from delivering the item to the confined person, the child, the prisoner, or the patient and that either of the following applies:

(a) The actor was permitted by the written rules of the detention facility or the institution, office building, or other place to deliver the item to the confined person or the patient.

(b) The actor was given written authorization by the person in charge of the detention facility or the institution, office building, or other place to deliver the item to the confined person or the patient.

(G)(1) Whoever violates division (A)(1) of this section or commits a violation of division (C) of this section involving an item listed in division (A)(1) of this section is guilty of illegal conveyance of weapons onto the grounds of a specified governmental facility, a felony of the third degree. If the offender is an officer or employee of the department of rehabilitation and correction, the court shall impose a mandatory prison term from the range of definite prison terms prescribed in division (A)(3)(b) of section 2929.14 of the Revised Code for a felony of the third degree.

(2) Whoever violates division (A)(2) of this section or commits a violation of division (C) of this section involving any drug of abuse is guilty of illegal conveyance of drugs of abuse onto the grounds of a specified governmental facility, a felony of the third degree. If the offender is an officer or employee of the department of rehabilitation and correction or of the department of youth services, the court shall impose a mandatory prison term from the range of definite prison terms prescribed in division (A)(3)(b) of section 2929.14 of the Revised Code for a felony of the third degree.

(3) Whoever violates division (A)(3) of this section or commits a violation of division (C) of this section involving any intoxicating liquor is guilty of illegal conveyance of intoxicating liquor onto the grounds of a specified governmental facility, a misdemeanor of the second degree.

(4) Whoever violates division (D) of this section is guilty of illegal conveyance of cash onto the grounds of a detention facility, a misdemeanor of the first degree. If the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a violation of division (D) of this section, illegal conveyance of cash onto the grounds of a detention facility is a felony of the fifth degree.

(5)(a) Except as provided in division (G)(5)(b) of this section, whoever violates division (E) of this section is guilty of illegal conveyance of a communications device onto the grounds of a specified governmental facility, a misdemeanor of the first degree, or if the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a violation of division (E) of this section, a felony of the fifth degree.

(b) If the offender is an officer or employee of the department of rehabilitation and correction or the department of youth services or a contractor or employee of a contractor providing services to the department of rehabilitation and correction or the department of youth services, a violation of division (E) of this section is a felony of the third degree, and the court shall impose a mandatory prison term from the range of definite prison terms prescribed in division (A)(3)(b) of section 2929.14 of the Revised Code for a felony of the third degree.

Last updated October 20, 2025 at 2:11 PM

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 159 cases (65 in the last 5 years), 1994–2026 · leading case: State v. Childs, 2024 Ohio 4699 (Ohio Ct. App. 2024).
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State v. Childs, 2024 Ohio 4699 (Ohio Ct. App. 2024). · cites it 25× “{¶ 3} Over one year later, on November 22, 2019, a Franklin County Grand Jury indicted appellant on five more counts: illegal conveyance of drugs of abuse onto grounds of a specified government facility (hereinafter “illegal conveyance”) pursuant to R.C. 2921.36, a third-degree…”
State v. Sowry, 803 N.E.2d 867 (Ohio Ct. App. 2004). · cites it 11× “{¶ 1} Defendant, Stephen Sowry, appeals from his conviction for knowingly conveying drugs onto the grounds of a detention facility in violation of R.C 2921.36(A)(2), a felony of the third degree.”
State v. Cargile, 2009 Ohio 4939 (Ohio 2009). · cites it 11× “c {¶ 17} Cargile additionally asserts that R.C. 2921.36 is not aimed at prisoners. He claims that the intent of R.”
State v. Deckard, 2017 Ohio 8469 (Ohio Ct. App. 2017). · cites it 6× “16CA14 3 of R.C. 2921.36; (2) possession of drugs (heroin), in violation of R.”
State v. Wilson, 2017 Ohio 7127 (Ohio Ct. App. 2017). · cites it 3× “11, and one count of illegal conveyance of drugs of abuse onto the grounds of a specified governmental facility, a third-degree felony under R.C. 2921.36(A). Each count carried a forfeiture specification regarding the fentanyl.”
State v. Keister, 2022 Ohio 856 (Ohio Ct. App. 2022). · cites it 5× “The State offered photographs of two signs reading “Body Scanner Now in Use!! Contraband found beyond this point can/will result in additional charges for O.R.C. 2921.36 – illegal conveyance into a detention facility.”
State v. Oliver, 656 N.E.2d 348 (Ohio Ct. App. 1995). · cites it 6× “03(A)(1) and (2), trafficking in drugs, and R.C. 2921.36, illegal conveyance of prohibited items into a detention facility.”
State v. Jones, 2013 Ohio 5889 (Ohio Ct. App. 2013). · cites it 14× “Jones argues that because R.C. 2921.36 “includes aggravating elements that must be found before penalty enhancement” and “contains separate sub- parts with distinct offense levels,” the statute is subject to the R.”
State v. Blackburn, 118 Ohio St. 3d 163 (Ohio 2008). · cites it 2× “2004-CRA-1049 {¶ 3} On December 17, 2004, Blackburn was arrested and charged with the illegal conveyance of weapons or prohibited items onto the grounds of a detention facility or institution, in violation of R.C. 2921.36, a third-degree felony. He spent one day in jail.”
State v. Higgins, 917 N.E.2d 363 (Ohio Ct. App. 2009). · cites it 7× “{¶ 10} Appellee was indicted on March 28, 2008, on one count of illegal conveyance of drugs of abuse onto the grounds of a detention facility, a felony of the third degree, in violation of R.C. 2921.36. She filed a motion to suppress evidence and requested an oral hearing.”
State v. Plaster, 843 N.E.2d 1261 (Ohio Ct. App. 2005). · cites it 6× “Plaster, appeals his conviction and sentence entered by the Richland County Court of Common Pleas, on one count of illegal conveyance of a prohibited item into a detention facility, in violation of R.C. 2921.36(C), following a jury trial. Plaintiff-appellee is the state of Ohio.”
State v. Bateman, 2011 Ohio 5808 (Ohio Ct. App. 2011). · cites it 2× “DID THE TRIAL COURT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF CRIMINAL RULE 11 IN ACCEPTING THE APPELLANT’S PLEA OF GUILTY TO ONE (1) COUNT OF ILLEGAL CONVEYANCE OF DRUGS OF ABUSE ONTO GROUNDS OF A DETENTION FACILITY, IN VIOLATION OF ORC 2921.36(A)(2)(G)(2), A FELONY OF THE THIRD DEGREE,…”
Show all 159 citing cases →
— Ohio Rev. Code § 2921.36(A) — 6 cases
State v. Wilson, 2017 Ohio 7127 (Ohio Ct. App. 2017). “11, and one count of illegal conveyance of drugs of abuse onto the grounds of a specified governmental facility, a third-degree felony under R.C. 2921.36(A). Each count carried a forfeiture specification regarding the fentanyl.”
State v. Childs, 2024 Ohio 4699 (Ohio Ct. App. 2024). “{¶ 3} Over one year later, on November 22, 2019, a Franklin County Grand Jury indicted appellant on five more counts: illegal conveyance of drugs of abuse onto grounds of a specified government facility (hereinafter “illegal conveyance”) pursuant to R.C. 2921.36, a third-degree…”
State v. Maltos, 2019 Ohio 4900 (Ohio Ct. App. 2019).
State v. Andrews, 2016 Ohio 8517 (Ohio Ct. App. 2016).
State v. Johnson, 2017 Ohio 1480 (Ohio Ct. App. 2017).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 2921.36(A)(1) — 5 cases
State v. Cargile, 2009 Ohio 4939 (Ohio 2009). “c {¶ 17} Cargile additionally asserts that R.C. 2921.36 is not aimed at prisoners. He claims that the intent of R.”
State v. Woodall, 2023 Ohio 1334 (Ohio Ct. App. 2023).
State v. Sheldon, 2023 Ohio 2998 (Ohio Ct. App. 2023).
State v. Elder, 2017 Ohio 292 (Ohio Ct. App. 2017).
State v. Markley, 2021 Ohio 3340 (Ohio Ct. App. 2021).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 2921.36(A)(1)(G)(1) — 1 case
State v. Oviedo, 2015 Ohio 135 (Ohio Ct. App. 2015).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 2921.36(A)(2) — 116 cases
State v. Sowry, 803 N.E.2d 867 (Ohio Ct. App. 2004). “{¶ 1} Defendant, Stephen Sowry, appeals from his conviction for knowingly conveying drugs onto the grounds of a detention facility in violation of R.C 2921.36(A)(2), a felony of the third degree.”
State v. Cargile, 2009 Ohio 4939 (Ohio 2009). “c {¶ 17} Cargile additionally asserts that R.C. 2921.36 is not aimed at prisoners. He claims that the intent of R.”
State v. Childs, 2024 Ohio 4699 (Ohio Ct. App. 2024). “{¶ 3} Over one year later, on November 22, 2019, a Franklin County Grand Jury indicted appellant on five more counts: illegal conveyance of drugs of abuse onto grounds of a specified government facility (hereinafter “illegal conveyance”) pursuant to R.C. 2921.36, a third-degree…”
State v. Deckard, 2017 Ohio 8469 (Ohio Ct. App. 2017). “16CA14 3 of R.C. 2921.36; (2) possession of drugs (heroin), in violation of R.”
State v. Keister, 2022 Ohio 856 (Ohio Ct. App. 2022). “The State offered photographs of two signs reading “Body Scanner Now in Use!! Contraband found beyond this point can/will result in additional charges for O.R.C. 2921.36 – illegal conveyance into a detention facility.”
— Ohio Rev. Code § 2921.36(A)(2)(G)(2) — 7 cases
State v. Bateman, 2011 Ohio 5808 (Ohio Ct. App. 2011). “DID THE TRIAL COURT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF CRIMINAL RULE 11 IN ACCEPTING THE APPELLANT’S PLEA OF GUILTY TO ONE (1) COUNT OF ILLEGAL CONVEYANCE OF DRUGS OF ABUSE ONTO GROUNDS OF A DETENTION FACILITY, IN VIOLATION OF ORC 2921.36(A)(2)(G)(2), A FELONY OF THE THIRD DEGREE,…”
State v. Roby, 2022 Ohio 223 (Ohio Ct. App. 2022).
State v. Watson, 2021 Ohio 2549 (Ohio Ct. App. 2021).
State v. Clinkscale, 2016 Ohio 773 (Ohio Ct. App. 2016).
State v. Henry, 2020 Ohio 1040 (Ohio Ct. App. 2020).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 2921.36(A)(3) — 1 case
State ex rel. Johnson v. Talikka, 1994 Ohio 260 (Ohio 1994).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 2921.36(B) — 1 case
State v. Childs, 2024 Ohio 4699 (Ohio Ct. App. 2024). “{¶ 3} Over one year later, on November 22, 2019, a Franklin County Grand Jury indicted appellant on five more counts: illegal conveyance of drugs of abuse onto grounds of a specified government facility (hereinafter “illegal conveyance”) pursuant to R.C. 2921.36, a third-degree…”
— Ohio Rev. Code § 2921.36(C) — 3 cases
State v. Plaster, 843 N.E.2d 1261 (Ohio Ct. App. 2005). “Plaster, appeals his conviction and sentence entered by the Richland County Court of Common Pleas, on one count of illegal conveyance of a prohibited item into a detention facility, in violation of R.C. 2921.36(C), following a jury trial. Plaintiff-appellee is the state of Ohio.”
State v. Qualls, 2020 Ohio 3753 (Ohio Ct. App. 2020).
State v. Patton, 2020 Ohio 937 (Ohio Ct. App. 2020).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 2921.36(E) — 1 case
State ex rel. McDougald v. Sehlmeyer (Slip Opinion), 2021 Ohio 666 (Ohio 2021).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 2921.36(G)(2) — 8 cases
State v. Wilson, 2017 Ohio 7127 (Ohio Ct. App. 2017). “11, and one count of illegal conveyance of drugs of abuse onto the grounds of a specified governmental facility, a third-degree felony under R.C. 2921.36(A). Each count carried a forfeiture specification regarding the fentanyl.”
State v. Dillard, 2014 Ohio 4974 (Ohio Ct. App. 2014).
State v. Jones, 2013 Ohio 5889 (Ohio Ct. App. 2013). “Jones argues that because R.C. 2921.36 “includes aggravating elements that must be found before penalty enhancement” and “contains separate sub- parts with distinct offense levels,” the statute is subject to the R.”
State v. Griffin, 2020 Ohio 2936 (Ohio Ct. App. 2020).
State v. Andrews, 2016 Ohio 8517 (Ohio Ct. App. 2016).
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