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Prison officer charged with delivering pot

By Tony Gonzalez
Published: August 05, 2009

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An Augusta County Correctional Center officer has been jailed on charges of delivering marijuana to inmates.

April M. Hogsett, 26, of Staunton, is being held at Middle River Regional Jail in Verona on the Class 5 felony charge that carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

A special agent of the Virginia Department of Corrections Office of the Inspector General executed a search warrant Friday night on Hogsett’s vehicle and seized a phone, plastic baggies and letters before the woman was arrested Saturday.

An informant told authorities that Hogsett, known as “Lisa,” was in contact with inmate Anthony Roach, 33, who was known for distributing drugs in jail, according to the warrant. Roach is being held on gun and drug convictions from Henrico County, according to court records. Hogsett was to get marijuana from another woman acquainted with Roach, authorities said.

Authorities say they confirmed the informant’s story with a phone call and inmate money order records.

A Department of Corrections spokesman would not discuss the investigation, but said Hogsett started work at the Augusta County Correctional Center last year and remained employed there as of Tuesday.

“But there will be a due process that will take place regarding her employment,” spokesman Larry Traylor said. “If she’s unable to perform her duties, she will be terminated.”

Charging documents against Hogsett were not available in Augusta County General District Court and were not listed on court dockets, but a Middle River Regional Jail official said that the single count against Hogsett was to be heard in that court.

NBC 29 contributed to this report.