More details have been released about a fired Alexandria sheriff’s deputy going to court next month after allegedly attempting to smuggle drugs to an inmate in the city jail.
During the first week in April, an inmate at the detention center informed the Alexandria Sheriff’s Office that at least one sworn officer had given an inmate food items and narcotics. A widespread investigation found then-Deputy Sheriff Amarachukwu W. Igwe had an “overly familiar relationship with a male inmate,” according to a recently released search warrant affidavit.
ASO found that Igwe, 33, delivered hand-written notes to the inmate around 1:45 a.m. on March 14 and around 10:40 p.m. on March 20. Then, around 1 a.m. on March 21, “Igwe handed [the inmate] a full-sized ink pen with an unknown substance within or on the exterior of the pen. Igwe can be seen removing an item from her pant pocket and appearing to transfer a substance from a device to the ink pen, before providing it to the inmate, who hides it in his sock,” according to the affidavit.
The sheriff’s office determined that the inmate arranged for drugs to be picked up after calling a D.C. phone number.
“During several phone calls from March 18, 2026, to April 2, 2026, it was determined that Deputy Igwe was instructed by [the inmate] to call his source at [phone number], to arrange pickup of drugs and receive an agreed-upon payment of $500,” according to the affidavit. “After several phone calls coordinating a pickup, a date was set for March 29, 2026, in DC near Nationals Stadium. The package was to include ‘downtowns’ (depressant drugs), ‘newspapers’ (K2 sheets), ‘orange towels’ (Suboxone strips) and Percocets.”
On April 4, Igwe returned to work and was arrested after ASO searched her assigned locker and found three baggies containing an unknown powder substance, eight circular pills with M30 imprinted on them (Oxycodone) and 50 doses of Suboxone. She was arrested that same day and taken to the Arlington County jail, where she was charged with delivery of drugs to prisoners or committed persons, a Class 5 felony punishable by one to ten years in prison.
Sheriff Sean Casey then fired Igwe.
“I commend the diligent work of our Investigations, Professionalism & Oversight Section whose proactive efforts uncovered this criminal conduct before it could jeopardize the safety of our staff or the residents of the Detention Center,” Casey said in a statement. “I have zero tolerance for actions that undermine the security of our facility and those who violate the public trust placed in them will face the full consequences of their actions.”
Igwe worked with the Alexandria Sheriff’s Office since July 14, 2025. She was released on recognizance, and her preliminary hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 18, according to court records.
