By MARISSA DECHANT
Staff writer
An Oil City woman accused of having drugs during intake processing at the Venango County jail last week was held for court Wednesday.
Samantha Jo Stevenson, 26, appeared before District Judge Andrew Fish for the preliminary hearing in Venango County Central Court.
Assistant District Attorney Brenda Servidio opened the hearing by calling Jill Reed, a pre-trial officer with Venango County Court Supervision Services, to testify about last week’s events.
The test came back positive for three controlled substances, and Reed said she received permission for the arrest of Stevenson.
Stevenson was then taken over to the Venango County jail, Reed said.
Attorney Jeffrey Misko, Stevenson’s defense counsel, confirmed with Reed during cross-examination that she didn’t recall asking Stevenson if she had any illegal substances on her person before taking her to the jail.
Servidio then called corrections officer Wagner who was present during Stevenson’s intake processing. The correction officer’s first name wasn’t made clear during Wednesday’s hearing.
Following processing, Stevenson was taken to the strip search room and was asked to remove her clothing, Wagner said.
Wagner said Stevenson asked to use the restroom and was denied.
When Stevenson removed her outer layer of clothing, a pill fell to the floor, Wagner said.
Wagner said she picked up the pill, and Stevenson also gave her a small paper square.
When asked by Misko, Wagner said none of the initial intake questions involve asking the person whether they are carrying drugs.
Fish ruled that enough evidence was presented to bind all charges over to the Court of Commons Pleas for further proceedings.
Stevenson is facing two felony counts of possession of a controlled substance and contraband by inmate prohibited and two misdemeanor counts of possession of a controlled substance and use/possession of drug paraphernalia.
She remains in jail on $20,000 bail.
