Four charged in contraband smuggling scheme at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center
VENN
CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- Four people -- including at least one now-former employee -- are facing charges after a months-long investigation at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center in Chesterfield County. Among those charges is a child sex crime, as well as drug and contraband-related offenses.
On Friday, July 18, the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) issued a press release after four individuals were indicted in a "broad scheme to smuggle contraband into the Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center."
The investigation began after multiple items, including cell phones and vape pens, were found within the facility.
"The Department of Juvenile Justice prioritizes, enforces and proactively ensures safety of all staff and youth in the Bon Air Correctional Facility," the DJJ said in the release. "Significant security improvements over the past few years and regulated quarterly searches [led] to the discovery of multiple items of contraband in Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center."
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As a result of this investigation, four people were charged, including 35-year-old Rejae T. C. Cuffee of Richmond, 38-year-old Francheska S. Hunt of Richmond, 53-year-old Kathryn S. Brice of Albemarle County and 20-year-old Isaiah D. Zampini of Chesterfield County.
Cuffee was hit with five felony charges, including the carnal knowledge of a minor aged 15 or older, the possession of a Schedule I or II controlled substance -- that being methadone and oxycodone, per the DJJ -- and delivering vape pens to a DJJ resident.
Hunt is accused of providing contraband to DJJ residents. She received four felony charges in connection with that alleged conduct.
Brice faces three felony counts in connection with a conspiracy to obtain and provide cell phones to DJJ residents. Zampini faces four felony charges of the same nature.
Investigators determined that the contraband was connected to a "group of individuals outside of the facility." However, at least one of the accused is a former employee, per the release.
"Previously employed individuals are no longer employed at the Department of Juvenile Justice," the DJJ said.
8News asked the DJJ to confirm which of the individuals listed are former employees. An update will be provided when possible.
"These indictments are a part of an ongoing effort that includes many Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice resources," the DJJ said in the release. "Together, these resources help to make Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center safe for residents and Department of Juvenile Justice employees."
Cuffee is not the first person to be charged with a child sex crime out of Bon Air Juvenile Justice Center this year. In March, a former correctional officer was charged with the May 2024 sexual assault of a juvenile female resident.
Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center has been under increased scrutiny in the past several months following a series of incidents at the facility, including multiple fires being set by "unruly and noncompliant" male juvenile residents.
