John Edward Roach II, a 47-year-old former corrections officer at South Central Regional Jail in Charleston, West Virginia, has been indicted on federal drug trafficking charges after allegedly agreeing to smuggle 50 grams or more of methamphetamine into the facility. The arrest, confirmed by U.S. Attorney Mike Stuart, follows a months-long investigation by federal and local law enforcement agencies.
The indictment, unsealed today, alleges that on or about April 11, 2019, Roach accepted $2,000 to use his position of authority to transport approximately four ounces of methamphetamine into the jail. The deal was struck with an individual cooperating with law enforcement, and Roach was arrested before he could deliver the drugs behind bars.
“This allegation is very serious,” said U.S. Attorney Mike Stuart. “The allegation that a corrections officer was dealing methamphetamine in a correctional facility is extremely troubling and led to this indictment. We expect every correctional officer to uphold the rule of law unlike the inmates for which they stand guard.”
According to court documents, Roach’s arrest came after coordinated surveillance and wire intercepts by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, the St. Albans Police Department, and the Boone County Sheriff’s Office. The investigation exposed a dangerous breach of trust within the jail’s security apparatus.
Roach now faces one count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a methamphetamine mixture—a charge that carries a possible maximum sentence of 40 years in federal prison if he is convicted. Assistant United States Attorney Drew O. Inman is leading the prosecution.
As of today, Roach remains in federal custody pending a detention hearing. The case is a stark reminder that those sworn to enforce the law are not above it. An indictment is merely an allegation, and Roach is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Key Facts
- State: West Virginia
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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