A Chesapeake woman was taken into custody last week by the Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Office and charged with multiple felonies, including possession of a controlled substance and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
According to a press release from the sheriff’s office, deputies with the sheriff’s office responded to a call in the Willow Springs Road area at approximately 6 p.m. on March 16, which reported a woman “slumped over in the driver’s seat of a vehicle.”
Upon arriving at the scene, deputies made contact with the woman and were able to “safely rouse her.” A sheriff’s office K9 was deployed to conduct and open-air sniff of the vehicle and alerted deputies to the presence of illegal drugs. A subsequent search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of cocaine, clonazepam, a stolen 9 mm handgun and more than $5,000 in cash, as well as digital scales and “additional drug paraphernalia.”
Joann Hoyle, 38, of Chesapeake was taken into custody and charged with four felony offenses: possession of a schedule I or II drug with intent to distribute, possession of a schedule IV drug with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm while in possession of a controlled substance and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
She is currently being held without bond at Rockbridge Regional Jail. A preliminary hearing on the charges is scheduled for June 3 in Rockbridge County General District Court.
“This case highlights the ongoing dangers of illegal drugs and firearms in our communities,” said Sheriff Tony McFaddin. “Because of our deputies’ vigilance and proactive enforcement, a significant quantity of drugs, more than $5,000 in suspected drug proceeds, and a stolen firearm were removed from our community. We will continue to aggressively pursue those who bring this type of activity into Rockbridge County.”
