MCDOWELL COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A Stevens Correctional Officer was arrested after he was caught with drugs and intending to smuggle drugs to inmates.
Sheriff Muncy directed Corporal Martin to take K9 Azra to Stevens Correctional Center on Virginia Ave. Corporal Martin was instructed to have K9 Azra sniff every vehicle in the public parking lot. Upon arrival at the center, Corporal Martin parked near the lot’s main entrance on the far-left side. With K9 Azra, the Corporal thoroughly searched all vehicles, starting from the left side. K9 Azra detected illicit substances in a silver Chevy Trax LS with West Virginia license plate D19454A, registered to Correctional Officer Charles Vanover. After confirming the registration, Corporal Martin contacted Lt. David Mullins. Lt. Mullins arranged for Correctional Officer Vanover to meet with Corporal Martin. Officer Vanover confirmed vehicle ownership and consented to a search after K9 Azra’s alert.
A bag of tobacco and Zyn Pouches were found in the vehicle. Officer Vanover mentioned a friend leaving the tobacco in the car.
During the search, Officer Vanover admitted to carrying a vape for an inmate at the facility. Corporal Martin then found that Correctional Officer Vanover excitedly stated that his friend had messaged him advising him about him leaving the tobacco products in the vehicle. Corporal Martin asked if he could see the messages, and Correctional Officer Vanover advised him that he no longer had the messages. Martin then found that Correctional Officer Vanover became excited. It was apparent and believed by Corporal Martin that he was more nervous than the general public during an encounter with law enforcement.
He also confessed to planning to deliver controlled substances to other inmates for financial gain. Corporal Martin read Officer Vanover his Miranda Rights and conducted an interview. The search of the tobacco bag revealed suboxone strips, marijuana, and suspected heroin. It was determined that Officer Vanover intended to smuggle these substances into the correctional facility. Based on the evidence gathered, it is believed that Officer Vanover was planning to distribute controlled substances within the facility.
It should be noted that Correctional Officer Vanover’s Driver’s License is suspended for unpaid citations effective May 15, 2024, and he openly admitted to Correctional Officer Kimbleton in front of this Corporal that he didn’t have insurance on his vehicle.
Corporal Martin was assisted by Deputy Cline in Welch of McDowell County.
