By Patrick McCarron
A former Staunton probation officer was convicted on Jan. 27 on two felony charges of abusing her position to engage in sexual contact with a probationer.
Meaghan Fields, 29, of Buena Vista, faces up to 10 years in prison. Charges against her for bribery and drugs were dropped after she entered an Alford plea on two charges of abusing her power to engage in sexual contact with a probationer.
An Alford plea occurs when a defendant does not admit to guilt, but acknowledges that there is enough evidence to prove her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
According to her indictment, Fields used a gun to intimidate others from bringing up her sexual relations with the probationers.
Fields’ attorney did not respond to three phone calls seeking comment.
According to a press release from Attorney General Mark Herring, Fields worked as a gang specialist in Virginia’s department of corrections. Sexual encounters occurred during and after Fields’ working hours from January 2011 to October 2012, case files indicate.
The press release says she resigned after she was caught in the act. She was indicted last September after a lengthy investigation.
In the press release, Herring said Fields tainted public trust for the judicial system.
“I will not tolerate actions by those in positions of power which would erode the public’s confidence in our criminal justice system and our government as a whole,” Herring said.
Virginia Department of Corrections spokesman Larry Traylor said potential probation officers must go through a background check and graduate from a training academy before being hired.
“It’s a vetted process,” said Traylor.