A Middlesboro woman in jail on trafficking and other charges is now facing five additional counts of trafficking in controlled substances, promoting contraband, tampering with physical evidence, five counts of wanton endangerment and violation of conditions of release after another inmate overdosed in the Bell County Detention Center on March 27.

Jailer Robin Venable contacted Middlesboro Police Sgt. Ryan Collins on Thursday, March 28 to disclose the overdose that centered around Heather York, 30 of Middlesboro, according to a report from WRIL.

During the incident, jail staff responded to yelling inmates asking for medical help due to inmate Lora Messer exhibiting overdose behavior after coming in contact with heroin and/or fentanyl.  After Narcan was administered, Messer was taken to Pineville Community Health Care for further treatment.

Venable said that he spoke with the inmates in the cell and Heather York admitted to providing the substance to Messer and four other inmates.  York went on to state that she had more drugs hidden in her body cavity than what she had turned over to police at the time of her arrest. She claimed she didn’t want to get sick and used the drugs herself, but the next day was confronted by other inmates to have her share with them which she did.  After using, Messer then began overdosing.

The five other inmates, Messer, April Brock, Evelyn Jones, Beth Wooten and Genesia York were all charged with possession of controlled substance fentanyl (conspiracy) and promoting contraband -1st degree (conspiracy).

York was additionally charged by Sgt. Collins with five counts of trafficking in controlled substance – 1st offense (carfentanil, fentanyl, or fentanyl derivatives), promoting contraband – 1st degree, tampering with physical evidence possession of controlled substance – 1st degree (Fentanyl), five counts of wanton endangerment – 1st degree, and violation of conditions of release.

York was originally arrested on Monday, March 25 along with 35-year-old Daniel Hall of New Tazewell after Sgt. Collins made a traffic stop following a lengthy investigation into regular drug trafficking from Knoxville to Middlesboro.

Hall was driving the vehicle and York was a passenger when Collins made the stop at approximately 11:30 p.m. at the Circle K on Cumberland Avenue.

Collins said that both Hall and York were acting nervous and he saw a yellow pop can in the floorboard with holes poked in it and burn marks.  During the stop both Hall and York were asked if there was anything illegal in the vehicle and they only admitted to the can.

Collins was assisted by Officer Preston Saylor during a search of Hall and they found a clear container holding suspected crack cocaine in his possession.  A search of the vehicle revealed several drug paraphernalia items, which included a pipe, metal coils for smoking, and digital scales. When asked if she had anything on her, York stated she had approximately a half-gram of suspected Heroin/Fentanyl inside a body cavity.

Both Hall and York were transported to Middlesboro Police headquarters for processing where York retrieved the substance and turned it over to officers. They were then lodged in the Bell County Detention Center.

Daniel Hall was charged with possession of controlled substance – 1st degree, 1st offense (cocaine), importing carfentanyl, fentanyl, or fentanyl derivatives, trafficking in controlled substance – 1st offense (carfentanyl, fentanyl, or fentanyl derivatives), buying/possessing drug paraphernalia, improper display of registration plates, failure to register transfer of motor vehicle, and improper equipment.

Heather York was charged with importing carfentanil, fentanyl, or fentanyl derivatives, trafficking in controlled substances – 1st offense (carfentanil, fentanyl, or fentanyl derivatives), and buying/possessing drug paraphernalia.