BECKLEY, WV (LOOTPRESS) — An inmate is facing additional charges after correctional officers allegedly discovered a bag containing pills and suspected drugs during the booking process at Southern Regional Jail.
According to the West Virginia State Police, Beckley Communications was contacted by Southern Regional Jail staff at approximately 4:19 p.m. on Sunday, July 5, 2026, regarding contraband allegedly found on an inmate.
Troopers arrived at the jail later that evening and learned that inmate Hali Sweeney had allegedly been found with contraband while being booked into the facility.
According to an officer’s report, Sweeney underwent a body scan as part of the booking process. After an abnormality was reportedly detected, she was taken to a restroom for an unclothed body search.
Police say that after entering the restroom, Sweeney went into a corner and attempted to conceal something. An officer directed her to move to the center of the room, at which point she allegedly handed over a black felt bag and said there was “dope” inside.
A search of the bag allegedly uncovered:
- 18 yellow capsules marked “SG 180”
- Seven white oval capsules
- Three bags containing a fine white powder
A trooper identified the yellow capsules as gabapentin, which is classified as a Schedule V controlled substance in West Virginia. The white powder and white oval pills are expected to be sent to the West Virginia State Police Forensic Laboratory for testing and identification.
According to the report, Sweeney declined to speak with the investigating trooper about the contents of the bag.
Sweeney is now facing three counts under West Virginia law related to allegedly bringing or possessing contraband in a correctional facility.
The charges are accusations, and the accused is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
