SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Two inmates and one visitor have been indicted by the Southampton County Commonwealth’s Attorney for separate drug-related incidents in 2023 at Deerfield Correctional Center.
According to the Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC), the first incident happened on Aug. 12, when inmate Leopold T. Ashe was visited by Mary Margaret Marchio. Ashe was searched after the visit and was found with a surgical mask that contained drugs.
A VADOC Drug Task Force investigation determined that Marchio and Ashe had allegedly conspired to traffic drugs into the prison during their visit.
Ashe and Marchio were charged with two counts of possession of unlawful controlled substances, possession of Buprenorphine and Naloxone, and delivery of drugs, firearms, explosives, etc. to prisoners or committed persons.
The second incident took place on Sept. 18, when security staff searched the bed area of Djaun L. Brooks. According to VADOC, during the search, Brooks was discovered with five bags of “a green, plant-like material,” 20 packaged pills, suspected Buprenorphine, one bottle of a clear unknown liquid and an unknown pill.
Brooks was charged with three counts of possession of unlawful controlled substances, and manufacturing, selling, giving, distributing or possessing with the intent to manufacture, sell, give, or distribute a controlled substance or an imitation controlled substance.
A spokesperson for VADOC said it continues to monitor the intake of illegal substances into its facilities. Anyone with information is asked to call 540-830-9280.
