Seven years ago, she was 21 years old and a Miss USA contestant. Today she is facing a felony criminal charge of bringing illegal drugs into a government facility. Kia Hampton is accused of trying to smuggle three grams of marijuana into the Allen Correctional Institution, located about a two-hour drive north of Cincinnati.
The Fox News article about her arrest does not include information about whether or not she will also face marijuana possession charges.
The Louisville resident represented Kentucky in the 2001 Miss USA pageant. According to online sources, that year’s contest was hosted by TV star William Shatner. Ms. Hampton did not place in the top 10 contestants.
According to a Louisville newspaper, she was apparently trying to smuggle the marijuana into the prison for inmate Jeremy Kelly. Their relationship was not detailed.
After she arrived at the correctional facility on May 26, she was served a search warrant, the report states. Officers from the Ohio State Highway Patrol said they heard evidence in recorded phone calls that she would be carrying weed inside the prison that day.
While officers were questioning her, she allegedly dropped a white balloon on the floor. It contained about 3 grams of pot.
She has been indicted by an Allen County grand jury for illegal conveyance of drugs of abuse onto the grounds of a specified governmental facility.
As our readers know, Ohio has harsh punishments for those convicted of drug crimes. To protect yourself, your rights and your freedom, speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney before talking to police or prosecutors.