Three women charged for Jackson County Jail inmate overdoses

Jun. 28—Three Jackson County Jail inmates have been charged with felonies for sneaking the powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl into the jail and distributing it. Two women in an inmate bloc consequently were rushed to the hospital for overdose treatment, and one was placed on a ventilator.

Sylvia Rose Hutchinson-Hernandez of Toledo, Jennifer Rene Wilkes of Talent and Sheena Ann Cortez of Medford each face felony drug and contraband charges for their roles in distributing smuggled drugs to victims Natalie Rogers and Dawn Robinson, according to court documents filed in Jackson County Circuit Court.

At about 11:24 a.m. June 20, inmates Rogers and Robinson were rushed to Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center, according to affidavits filed by Medford Area Drug and Gang Enforcement officers. Robinson remained conscious and breathing during the paramedic response, but Rogers was placed on a ventilator.

Police believe it was Hutchinson-Hernandez who first smuggled more than an ounce of fentanyl inside a body cavity when she was booked in the jail June 14 on charges that included felon in possession of a firearm and unlawful use of a weapon following a domestic dispute with her boyfriend of eight months.

When MADGE searched her June 22, Hutchinson-Hernandez still had 19.47 grams of fentanyl — about 7/10 of an ounce — in three bags inside her body.

Hutchinson allegedly distributed fentanyl to Wilkes and Cortez, and Wilkes allegedly told police that she broke off small amounts of the fentanyl to Rogers and Cortez.

As of Tuesday afternoon, Hutchinson-Hernandez, Cortez and Wilkes remained in the Jackson County Jail without bail.

Reach web editor Nick Morgan at 541-776-4471 or nmorgan@rosebudmedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MTwebeditor.