By Michael Copley
Staff writer

Karen Nelson Peregoy was arraigned in Powhatan on August 6, charged with aiding in the attempted escape of a prisoner.

Peregoy worked as a nurse at the James River Juvenile Detention Center in Powhatan.

According to sworn testimony from Powhatan Sheriff’s Office Detective Kevin Wolfe, Peregoy provided Joseph Parrish Jr., a 17-year-old prisoner of that facility, with a handcuff key that she obtained on the internet.

“Google it,” said Wolfe after court, “you can get it [a handcuff key] right on the internet.”

In a statement to investigators, Peregoy indicated that Parrish had intimidated her with threats of violence from the Pagans, a motorcycle gang he claimed to be associated with.

Corrections officers “found the key on the floor of the pod with his [Parrish’s] other personal effects,” said Wolfe.

Wolfe stated that authorities also found an unaddressed letter, written by Parrish, which outlined an escape plan that included a strategically placed cell phone to use once he was out.

James River Juvenile Detention Center superintendent Pat Carrington entered a motion Wednesday to have Parrish transferred to an adult facility.

She would not comment on the incident, nor on Peregoy’s employment status at the facility.