ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY, Va. (WDBJ) – A woman from Chesapeake was arrested and charged after a K9 alerted deputies to the presence of illegal drugs in a vehicle Monday evening, according to the Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies said 38-year-old Joanne Hoyle, of Chesapeake, was arrested and charged with:
- Possession with Intent to Distribute a Schedule I/II Controlled Substance
- Possession with Intent to Distribute a Schedule IV Controlled Substance
- Possession of a Firearm While in Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon
At 6:00 p.m. March 16, 2026, units responded to the Willow Springs area for a report of Hoyle slumped over in the driver’s seat of a vehicle. Deputies arrived and safely woke her up, according to the sheriff’s office.
During the investigation, a K9 alerted deputies to the presence of illegal drugs after an open-air sniff of the vehicle. A search of Hoyle’s vehicle turned up cocaine, clonazepam, $5,000+ in cash, digital scales, a stolen handgun, and additional drug paraphernalia; according to investigators.
“This case highlights the ongoing dangers of illegal drugs and firearms in our communities. Because of our deputies’ vigilance and proactive enforcement, a significant quantity of drugs, more than $5,000 unsuspected drug proceeds, and a stolen firearm were removed from our community,” said Sheriff Tony McFaddin…