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Woman Accused Of Smuggling Heroin, Cellphones Into San Quentin Pleads Not Guilty

NOVATO (CBS/AP) -- A Los Angeles school aide has denied charges that she smuggled heroin and cellphones to a San Quentin inmate on death row.

Teri Orina Nichols pleaded not guilty to the smuggling charges last week. She said that she wants the prison to investigate how the contraband got through security.

The prison maintains that the 47-year-old Nichols hid heroin, 18 cellphones, 18 cellphone chargers and two unidentified blue pills under her clothing during a visit with 50-year-old Bruce Millsap.

Millsap is serving time for a series of murders and robberies in Los Angeles, Orange and San Bernardino counties.

The Marin County District Attorney's Office says Nichols could face up to four years in jail if she is convicted.

© Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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