WELCH, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Three people have been arrested following an investigation into an alleged attempt to deliver drugs and other contraband intended for an inmate at a McDowell County correctional facility.
According to the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office, officials at Stevens Correctional Center contacted the department on Sept. 15 after monitored inmate communications allegedly indicated that Amber Dawn Hardwick, of Huntington, and inmate Willie Jay Copley, formerly of Dunlow, had arranged for contraband to be left at Premier Park in Welch.
Authorities said correctional inmate work crews were expected to be in the area.
Chief Deputy Martin responded to Premier Park and located a vehicle matching a description provided by correctional officials. Hardwick and Patrick James Marcum, of South Point, Ohio, were found inside the vehicle and detained.
According to the sheriff’s office, Hardwick directed investigators to a concealed package underneath a train at the park. Deputies said the package consisted of a modified energy drink can containing two packages, one allegedly containing tobacco and another containing a substance suspected to be methamphetamine.
Deputies later searched the vehicle and allegedly discovered three additional plastic bags containing a crystal-like substance suspected to be methamphetamine. Pills believed to be gabapentin were also recovered, which authorities said Marcum claimed belonged to him.
Hardwick and Marcum were taken into custody and transported to the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office for processing.
Copley, an inmate at Stevens Correctional Center who was previously convicted of first-degree murder in another county, was also arrested in connection with the alleged conspiracy.
Authorities said the defendants are accused of offenses related to attempting to introduce contraband into a correctional facility, attempted delivery or possession of controlled substances, conspiracy and other related offenses.
The McDowell County Sheriff’s Office credited officials and intelligence personnel at Stevens Correctional Center for their assistance in the investigation.
All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
