Sherry Johnston: Brought Down By Text Messages

As the world awaits news of the imminent birth of Bristol Palin's baby (the daughter of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin was due before Christmas), authorities are outlining the felony drug case against her baby daddy's mama, Sherry Johnston.

Sherry, the mother of Levi Johnston, was arrested December 19 after she sent a pair of text messages to police informants discussing drug transactions before her arrest on felony drug charges, the Anchorage Daily News reports.

According to the state's biggest newspaper, an affidavit says Sherry Johnston sent text messages referring to "coffee" as a code for the drug OxyContin, a strong prescription painkiller sometimes called "hillbilly heroin" on the street.

Johnston sent a text message to one informant on October 1 - well into Sarah Palin's campaign for the vice presidency on the Republican ticket - writing:

"Hey, my phones are tapped and reporters and god knows who else is always following me and the family so no privacy. I will let u no when I can go for cof."

THE JOHNSTONS: One happy, prescription-drug dealing, baby-making family.

Authorities say the case began in September when drug investigators intercepted a package containing 179 Oxycontin pills. That led to the arrest of the suspects.

They agreed to be informants, and 10 days after Johnston said there wasn't enough privacy for a drug sale, she texted again to set up a meeting at a store.

The document indicates that the informant received $800 to make a purchase, meeting investigators later with 10 pills of 80-milligram Oxycontin.

A second purchase was made the following day, authorities said. This time the informant wore a hidden camera and a microphone to record Sherry Johnston.

A third purchase allegedly occurred November 26. The informant was wired for the transaction and this time, Alaska police videotaped the meeting.

Sherry Johnston was arrested last week after police arrived at her Wasilla home with a search warrant. She is currently free after posting bail.