Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, January 6, 1993 TAG: 9301060151
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By LAURENCE HAMMACK STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
EX-COUNSELOR IS ACQUITTED IN DRUG CASE
A former prison counselor has been acquitted of charges that she conspired to smuggle steroids into the Botetourt Correctional Unit.Judge George E. Honts III dismissed the charge against Gaye Moffitt after hearing testimony during a bench trial Monday in Botetourt County Circuit Court.
"In no way was she ever involved in a drug conspiracy," said Tony Anderson, a Roanoke lawyer who represented Moffitt.
Moffitt had faced a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
David Spigle, assistant commonwealth's attorney for Botetourt County, said an investigation at the prison - known as Camp 25 - began last year when an inmate attempted to bring a prison guard into the conspiracy. The guard pretended to go along with the scheme while working with police.
The inmate promised to pay the guard in exchange for steroids, which he apparently wanted as part of his weightlifting program, Spigle said.
Moffitt's alleged involvement in the conspiracy was that she agreed to hold some money for the inmate until the deal could be struck.
While Moffitt was not authorized to hold money for inmates, Honts ruled that "she was completely in the dark as far as what the money was to be used for," Spigle said.
Jerry Wilson, the inmate who allegedly initiated the plan, still faces trial on a conspiracy charge. Timothy Dressler, a second inmate who contributed money for the steroids, has pleaded guilty.
Moffitt did not testify Monday, as Honts threw out the charge before the stage in the trial at which the defense would have the option of presenting evidence.
Anderson said Moffitt was placed on leave without pay following her indictment by a grand jury last fall. It was unclear Tuesday whether she will return to her job as a counselor at the prison camp, which is near Troutville.