AUGUSTA — A Skowhegan woman is charged with unlawful drug possession of cocaine after she allegedly overdosed in jail and was taken to the hospital, where nurses reported finding crack and a crack pipe in her prosthetic leg.

Sonya Marie Engelhardt, 41, who also has an address in Athens, appeared before a judge Wednesday afternoon on that misdemeanor charge as well as a charge of violating condition of release, both of which occurred April 2, 2018, according to a complaint filed at the Capital Judicial Center.

Sonya Engelhardt

Engelhardt initially had been taken to the Kennebec County jail after being arrested by Waterville Police.

“Once inside the jail, Engelhardt overdosed and was transported to MaineGeneral (Medical Center),” wrote Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Jeffrey Boudreau in an affidavit filed at the court. “According to Deputy Savage, once at the hospital, the nursing staff took a crack pipe out of Engelhardt’s prosthetic leg that has a little Baggie in it with a usable amount of crack cocaine.”

Engelhardt was on bail at the time, according to the complaint.

On Wednesday, she pleaded not guilty to both charges via video from the Kennebec County jail.

Attorney Matthew Kanwitt, representing Engelhardt as attorney of the day, requested $400 bail and a Maine Pretrial Services contract, saying that it could include a provision that her prosthetic leg could be checked for drugs. He also said it was “a very small amount of cocaine involved.”

“She does report to me she has successfully worked with Maine Pretrial in the past,” he said, adding that she currently works two part-time jobs.

The prosecutor, Assistant District Attorney Carie James, requested $1,000 cash with a Maine Pretrial Services contract.

James said Engelhardt is on a deferred disposition involving burglary and theft charges in Somerset County and there will be a motion to terminate that deferral, meaning that earlier case will move forward to a sentencing hearing.

James also said Engelhart has a criminal record that includes theft and drug possession.

The judge agreed to the defense request for bail saying he trusted Maine Pretrial Services’ supervision.

Bail conditions prohibit Engelhardt from possessing alcohol and illegal drugs and subjects her to random searches of her person and vehicle for those items.

Walker told her, “If you choose to violate these conditions you can almost be assured you will not be able to get on bail again.”

Betty Adams — 621-5631

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Twitter: @betadams

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