Two arrested after allegedly hiding contraband in Bowie County jail bathrooms

TEXARKANA, Texas–A man and woman are in Bowie County custody for allegedly hiding contraband in public bathrooms at the Bowie County jail annex in downtown Texarkana on multiple dates over the last several months.

Qadeem Malik Hill-Fulton, 22, and Autumn Amelia McChester, 22, were arrested Sept.8 after being detained by the Bowie County Sheriff’s Office in the lobby of the jail. Staff alerted deputies that a man and woman suspected of previously hiding contraband in public bathrooms in the lobby were on site.

While Hill-Fulton and McChester were detained by BCSO, jail staff searched the bathrooms, finding two packages in the women’s room. The packages allegedly contained just under an ounce of suspected marijuana, nearly two ounces of loose tobacco, four packs of cigarettes, four lidocaine patches, a nicotine vape, two cell phones and three cell phone charges, according to a probable cause affidavit.

Hill-Fulton and McChester had entered the jail lobby on previous dates in August. On Aug. 25, they allegedly entered the lobby, used the public restroom and left without visiting anyone at the jail. On that day, jail staff found packages of cigarettes and suspected marijuana. On another date, McChester entered the lobby, entered the restroom and asked jail staff about visitation.

McChester allegedly told jail staff she was retrieving the required photo identification from her car and would return to visit an inmate, but did not come back that day. Staff discovered a package in the trash can that had been wrapped in toilet paper.

Investigators with the Bowie County Sheriff’s Office were able to identify the car McChester was driving as a silver 2019 Buick Enclave. On Aug. 28, Hill-Fulton was allegedly seen driving the same vehicle, which is reportedly registered to McChester, outside the recreation yard at the jail. Hill-Fulton allegedly tossed a package containing suspected marijuana over the fence.

On Aug. 23, McChester and a male passenger allegedly entered the jail lobby but did not visit an inmate. The following day, three baggies were reportedly discovered in the men’s room, taped beneath the sink, which contained 1.25 ounces of suspected marijuana, four bundles of cigarettes wrapped in plastic, three packages of rolling papers, two lighters, a Motorola flip phone and a phone charger, the affidavit said.

On Sept. 4, packages of tobacco and suspected marijuana were found in the men’s bathroom in the lobby men’s room. Surveillance footage showed that it was likely left by a man driving McChester’s car and was the same man seen with McChester on previous dates, the affidavit said.

Investigators sent still photos of the man with McChester to area law enforcement agencies. Other officers allegedly identified Hill-Fulton as the man seen driving McChester’s car and with her as a passenger on different dates.

Hill-Fulton is currently being held in the Bowie County jail with bail set at $300,000. McChester is being held with bail set at $225,000.

McChester is facing three counts of prohibited substance in a correctional facility while Hill-Fulton has been charged with four counts. If convicted, they face two to ten years on each count.

The cases have been assigned to 202nd District Judge John Tidwell.