A Baton Rouge public defender has taken personal leave after being accused of trying to smuggle marijuana into the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola.

East Baton Rouge Parish public defender Mike Mitchell emphasizes that Nelvil Hollingsworth is on leave -- he has not been suspended. Mitchell tells WAFB-TV that he will review the facts, and people shouldn't jump to conclusions.

Mitchell tells WBRZ-TV he will handle Hollingsworth's cases.

Hollingsworth is free on $10,000 bond after being arrested Saturday at the prison and booked on one count of smuggling contraband into a prison.

He did not return a call Sunday from The Associated Press. WAFB reports that Hollingsworth had no comment when contacted Sunday.