Wednesday, May 20WATCHFUL EYE

Tag: VADOC

MS-13 inmate accused in 2nd correctional officer stabbing in Virginia
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MS-13 inmate accused in 2nd correctional officer stabbing in Virginia

A prisoner who is a “confirmed affiliate” of MS-13 is accused of another stabbing, this time at Greensville Correctional Center, Virginia Department of Corrections announced. Inmate Axel Wilfredo Ortiz Garcia, a 26-year-old Guatemalan national, is accused of stabbing two correctional officers on Tuesday at around 2:30 p.m., VADOC disclosed. VADOC has not yet revealed details about the events that led up to the incident because an investigation is still underway but confirmed both officers have been discharged from the hospital. VADOC also explained that Ortiz Garcia, who has maximum security status, was being temporarily detained at Greensville due to a court order from Sussex Circuit Court related to his prosecution for an incident at Sussex 1 State Prison. He is accused in the A...
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No more private-run state prisons in VA, state takes control of Lawrenceville
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No more private-run state prisons in VA, state takes control of Lawrenceville

There are no more private-run state prisons in Virginia. As previously reported, in December, Virginia Department of Corrections announced a plan to take over control of Lawrenceville Correctional Center, which was the state’s only privately-run prison. On schedule, VADOC announced that it assumed control of the Lawrenceville today, August 1. VADOC assumed control from the GEO Group, a company that owns, leases, and manages prisons in the U.S., Australia, and South Africa. Lawrenceville opened in 1998, and today marks the first time during its existence that the facility has been run by the state, VADOC confirmed. “Today marks a new day at Lawrenceville Correctional Center,” said director Dotson. “Our Department is excited to assume operations at this facility – and to ...
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VADOC taking control of Lawrenceville prison from GEO Group in August
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VADOC taking control of Lawrenceville prison from GEO Group in August

VADOC recently confirmed the department is still on track with its takeover plan Lawrenceville Correctional Center is in its final weeks under private management. Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) will assume control of the prison on August 1. VADOC announced its intention to take over the state’s only privately-run prison last December. In a press release earlier this month, the department revealed a VADOC team conducted a shakedown at Lawrenceville and discovered an array of contraband, including drugs, phones, and cash. VADOC added that it is still set to take control of the facility next month. Lawrenceville is currently run by GEO Group, a company that owns, leases, and manages prisons in the U.S., Australia, and South Africa. But Lawrenceville is its only operat...
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Red Onion prisoner hit with murder charge for cell mate’s death
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Red Onion prisoner hit with murder charge for cell mate’s death

A grand jury in Wise County charged 36-year-old Julian Leon Mitchell with aggravated murder for the death of his cell mate. On August 23, 2023, corrections staff found Jowell Legendre unresponsive in his cell at Red Onion State Prison, VADOC stated. The staff performed life-saving measures and Legendre was transported to Dickenson Community Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Mitchell shared the cell with Jowell, and according to VADOC, he told security staff Legendre fell from the top bunk. After an investigation, VADOC presented the evidence to Wise County Commonwealth’s Attorney, and an indictment was filed last week, on May 15, VADOC reported. Mitchell’s criminal history includes 2012 convictions for using a firearm in commission of a felony and aggravated malicious woun...
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VADOC: Gun, drugs & police chase amid Indian Creek CC interdiction operation
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VADOC: Gun, drugs & police chase amid Indian Creek CC interdiction operation

Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) announced there were three arrests and nine denied visits amid an “intensive interdiction operation” at Indian Creek Correctional Center in Chesapeake. Yesterday, VADOC revealed that, on March 30, they partnered with Virginia State Police and Chesapeake Police Department for an intensive operation to screen visitors for drugs and other contraband. Items found during the searches, include drugs, drug paraphernalia, alcohol, syringes, and three handguns, VADOC stated. In addition to those who were turned away, those arrested include a Virginia Beach woman, 32-year-old Brittney Salley, who reportedly turned up at the facility although she hadn’t shown up in court and had an outstanding warrant for failure to appear, VADOC noted. Salley wa...
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MS-13 gang inmates stab and kill K-9 in Sussex I
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MS-13 gang inmates stab and kill K-9 in Sussex I

MS-13 gang members stabbed and killed K-9 Rivan while the dog was responding to an attack at Sussex I State Prison, VADOC announced. On Tuesday, April 2, three “verified members of MS-13” housed at Sussex I “viciously attacked another inmate,” while a fourth inmate appeared to be supervising the attack, VADOC stated. Officer Kharmishia Phillip Fields, a trained K-9 handler, and Rivan were working the area and responded to the incident to stop the attack. They were ultimately able to restore order, but Rivan was “violently and repeatedly stabbed and kicked by the inmates” involved in the attack, VADOC reported. K-9 Rivan, a Belgian Malinois who has been on the team since 2019, died at the facility while VADOC staff were attempting life-saving measures, the state corrections authori...
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Decision put off on VA bill calling for free inmate communications
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Decision put off on VA bill calling for free inmate communications

Virginia inmates will not get free telephone call, video calls, or messages this year if Senate Bill 378 has to deliver it. SB 378, presented by Senator Jennifer Boysko of Herndon, called for the Department of Corrections to provide telephone systems and web-based or electronic communications systems free of charge.  And the bill barred DOC from receiving any commission from telephone systems, “so prisons don’t profit from the calls or videos,” Boysko told members of the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee. With Boysko’s bill, each inmate would have been allowed to have at least 20 phone numbers of their approved call list. SB 378 also required correctional facilities to have at least one phone for every 10 inmates in a housing unit. Senator Boysko presents the cas...
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Charges filed in 2 drug cases at Deerfield Correctional Center
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Charges filed in 2 drug cases at Deerfield Correctional Center

Southampton County Commonwealth’s Attorney Eric A. Cooke filed indictments against suspects for two separate drug seizures at Deerfield Correctional Center. Both incidents date back to last summer. According to VADOC, on August 12, Mary Margaret Marchio came to Deerfield to visit inmate Leopold T. Ashe. After visitation, Ashe was searched and was reportedly found to have surgical mask containing suspected drugs. VADOC Drug Task Force launched an investigation, and the department determined that Marchio and Ashe were allegedly conspiring to traffic drugs into the facility during their visit. Cooke charged both with two counts of possession of unlawful controlled substances, possession of Buprenorphine and Naloxone (Schedule III), and delivery of drugs, firearms, explosives, etc....
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Drugs and gun found at River North Correctional lands 2 women in jail
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Drugs and gun found at River North Correctional lands 2 women in jail

A visit to River North Correctional Center, a male prison in Independence, landed two women in jail with gun and drug charges. According to VADOC, certain staff members “acted on intelligence” that someone would try to supply contraband to an inmate at the facility. On Sunday, January 7, a VADOC K-9 drew attention to an unnamed female visitor, and that led to a search of that individual’s vehicle. In the vehicle, VADOC said personnel found a 9 mm handgun with a loaded magazine along with a variety of drugs and contraband, including: A baggie containing an unknown white substance A crystalline substance suspected to be methamphetamine A spoon containing white residue A glove containing white powder A bottle of kratom Buprenorphine THC edibles A scale Two sy...
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Weapons, drugs, & other contraband seized at Greensville Correctional
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Weapons, drugs, & other contraband seized at Greensville Correctional

Virginia Department of Corrections announced an operational plan is being developed specifically for Greensville Correctional Center after an array of contraband was discovered including drugs and weapons. From October 30 to November 14, Greensville staffers and members from a statewide Special Response Team conducted “intensive searches” in a “comprehensive shakedown of inmate housing,” VADOC announced. A large number of substances and drugs were seized during the effort, including: (Photo: VADOC) Heroin Cocaine Buprenorphine strips THC and THC Wax Possible crack cocaine Possible spice Steroid tablets A white, powdery substance A white, crystalline substance A brown, powdery substance A brown, liquid substance A grey, powdery substance A bl...
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