MOUNT STERLING — A former employee at Western Illinois Correctional Center is facing three felony charges in connection with smuggling drugs and a cellphone into the Mount Sterling prison.

Joshua D. Havens, 49, of Mount Sterling was arrested on Feb. 21 by Illinois State Police during an ongoing investigation into reports of contraband being brought into the prison. Havens wasn't formally charged until April 26. Those charges stem from incidents that occurred on Nov. 30, state police said.

Havens is accused of two counts of unauthorized bringing of contraband into a penal institution by an employee, both Class X felonies. One count alleges Haven brought in controlled substances and the other alleges he brought in a cellphone, according to Brown County State's Attorney Michael Hill.

Class X is the most severe class of felony in Illinois, aside from first-degree murder.

The third charge is for possession of a look-alike substance with intent to deliver, a Class 3 felony. Hill said Havens is accused of trying to bring into the prison 100 pills that looked like a controlled substance but weren't. Look-alike drugs appear to be the same with respect to packaging, shape, color and/or size.

Havens, who was a carpenter at the prison, was the only person arrested, state police said. The investigation, which is being conducted by state police and the Illinois Department of Corrections, is ongoing.

Havens resigned on March 1, according to Naomi Puzzello, public information officer for the DOC.

Havens was released from jail because he was charged with non-detainable offenses, Hill said. Havens' first appearance in Brown County Circuit Court is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Monday.

Story updated to reflect Joshua Havens' employment status.