A criminal complaint filed through District Judge Matthew Kirtland’s office said a Franklin police officer was dispatched to the Venango County jail Thursday evening for the report of a new female inmate who had failed to declare possession of narcotics upon entering the facility.
The woman was identified as Samantha Jo Stevenson, 26, the complaint said.
Test results positively identified the white substance as cocaine, the complaint said.
The items were found in Stevenson’s possession during a strip search during intake processing, the complaint said. During the search, the Dilaudid tablet fell to the floor and was recovered by corrections officers, the complaint said.
Stevenson then removed a small paper square from her person and handed it to corrections officers, the complaint said. Stevenson identified the items as Dilaudid and cocaine and said she had been planning to use them at a later time, the complaint said.
Stevenson said she had forgotten she had the items with her, the complaint said.
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.
A preliminary hearing is tentatively scheduled Aug. 23 in Central Court.
Stevenson previously faced 748 identity theft-related charges after allegedly stealing nearly $40,000 while working as a caretaker between December and April.
The charges were withdrawn in July and could be refiled pending further investigation.
