Multiple Inmates at Southern Regional Jail Arrested for Possession of Controlled Substances

BEAVER, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Multiple inmates at Southern Regional Jail were charged after having drugs and snorting them.

On Monday, October 14, 2024, authorities at Southern Regional Jail in Beaver, West Virginia, arrested four female inmates after discovering suspected controlled substances inside their cell. At approximately 3:49 a.m., a correctional officer reported suspicious activity to law enforcement, prompting an investigation.

The jail’s surveillance footage showed inmates Casey Porter, Christina Gardner, Ashley McKinney, and Billy Gwinn engaging in suspicious behavior in Cell H5. The video revealed that Gwinn and Porter were concealing what appeared to be controlled substances on them, and all four inmates were observed snorting the substance off a piece of paper while taking turns acting as lookouts.

During the investigation, officers conducted a search of the inmates. Gwinn was seen attempting to dispose of a bag of suspected heroin and tobacco by dropping it and kicking it through the gate. Additionally, Porter was found with a bag of suspected fentanyl during a body search.

After being read their Miranda rights, both Gwinn and Porter admitted to transporting the drugs into the facility and disclosed that the other inmates had used the narcotics as well. Gardner and McKinney also admitted to using the fentanyl.

All four inmates were arrested and charged with multiple offenses. Billy Gwinn and Casey Porter were charged with inmate possession of contraband, transporting contraband into a state facility, and conspiracy-drug charges. Gardner and McKinney were charged with possession of a controlled substance and conspiracy-drug charges. The investigation is ongoing, and the inmates were booked in Raleigh County, West Virginia.