Jeannette couple accused in apparent plot to get drugs into Westmoreland County Prison

An alleged attempt to get drugs into the Westmoreland County Prison earlier this month through a district court bathroom was thwarted after jail officials learned of an apparent plot between a Jeannette couple, according to court papers.

Maria Harshey, 43, is accused of leaving drugs in the bathroom of the Jeannette district court office for her boyfriend Adam Brandonio, 45, to take back to the jail with him after a hearing, according to investigators.

Harshey and Brandonio were charged Thursday with contraband, conspiracy, drug possession and related offenses.

“We’re attempting to stop the different ways the inmates are attempting to get the stuff in,” said Westmoreland County Detective Tony Marcocci who assisted with the investigation.

Jail officials told sheriff’s deputies that Brandonio, who has been an inmate since June 25, had conversations with Harshey that indicated Harshey hid the drugs at the court office’s bathroom. Investigators found on Aug. 1 a blue finger of a latex glove that contained Suboxone strips, pills and tobacco wedged behind the toilet tank, according to court papers.

They replaced it with another glove finger filled with paper to mimic the original find, police said.

While Brandonio was at the court office Aug. 1 for a preliminary hearing on an unrelated case, he was permitted to use the restroom. Afterwards, investigators asked him about the item’s location and Brandonio told police it was in his rectum, according to court papers.

Authorities arrested Harshey Thursday at a Hempfield medical spa where she works. District Judge Joseph DeMarchis set bail at $15,000 and prohibited her from possessing or using drugs or alcohol. She was taken to the Westmoreland County Prison.

Deputy John Dixon said Harshey has access to prescriptions and a “limited amount” of controlled substances at work. A coworker at the facility will be charged after she tried to conceal Harshey’s whereabouts, Dixon said.

“When we went to apprehend (Harshey), she tried to hide in the facility and a girl tried to help her hide,” Dixon told DeMarchis during Harshey’s arraignment hearing.

Brandonio is set for arraignment Friday morning. He is being held at the jail on bail set in numerous other cases. His attorney declined to comment Thursday on the new accusations. His preliminary hearing is set for Sept. 19.

Harshey didn’t have an attorney listed in online court records. Her preliminary hearing is set for Sept. 5.