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MIDDLE RIVER REGIONAL JAIL
Staunton | Waynesboro | Harrisonburg | Augusta County | Rockingham County
MRRJ Commanders
Dedication * Expertise * Passion
Colonel Eric Young – Superintendent
Colonel Eric Young was born and raised in Staunton, VA. He is a 30-year veteran of law enforcement, having served with both the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office and Middle River Regional Jail.
Throughout his career with the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office, Colonel Young held a wide range of positions including corrections, patrol, School Resource Officer, bicycle patrol, civil process, court security, and Chief of Security.
When Middle River Regional Jail opened in April 2006, he became one of the original members of the administration and has served continuously since that time.
In his current role as Superintendent, Colonel Young oversees the entire facility while also managing the yearly budget.
His leadership journey at the jail includes promotions from Major to Lt. Colonel in January 2022, followed by his promotion to Colonel in July 2022.
Lt. Colonel Tony Heflin – Deputy Superintendent
Lt. Colonel Tony Heflin began his career with the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office in 1992 as a Jailor and was promoted to Corporal the following year. In 1994, he transferred to the Sheriff’s Office, where he served in several divisions including Circuit Court Bailiff, Civil Process, Crime Prevention, Professional Standards, and Administrative Sergeant.
In 2016, Lt. Colonel Heflin joined Middle River Regional Jail as a Sergeant over Training and Accreditation. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 2018, Captain in 2019, Major in 2022, and ultimately to his current rank of Lt. Colonel in 2023.
Lt. Colonel Heflin holds multiple certifications: he is a DCJS General Instructor, Firearms Instructor, CPR Instructor, State-Certified VLEPSC Accreditation Manager, and VLEPSC Accreditation Assessor. He has also completed the Virginia Regional Jail Leadership Program and earned the designation of Certified Jail Manager (CJM).
In his current role as Deputy Superintendent, Lt. Colonel Heflin oversees Finance, Human Resources, the Director of Operations, and the Director of Support Services. He reports directly to the Superintendent.
Major C.G. Irvine - Director of Operations & Security
Major Irvine began his career at the Augusta County Sheriff's Office as a jailor in 2004. He transitioned to MRRJ in April of 2006 where he has held numerous positions. He’s held the title of Shift Officer, Shift Corporal, Work Force Corporal, Assistant Watch Commander (Sergeant), Watch Commander (Lieutenant), Lieutenant of Operations, Lieutenant of Community Corrections, Captain of Operations.
He is a graduate of the National Jail Leadership Command Staff Academy class 46.
In August, 2025 he was promoted to Director of Operations & Security.
Major Wyatt Brown - Director of Support Services
Major Wyatt Brown, a native of Staunton, Virginia, serves as the Director of Support Services at Middle River Regional Jail. Since joining MRRJ, he has held progressive leadership positions including Sergeant, Information Technology Supervisor, Lieutenant, and Captain. In August 2025, he was promoted to Major and assumed his current role.
Major Brown is a certified instructor in firearms, use of force, digital forensics, less-lethal munitions, crisis intervention, and mental health training. He has also served as the facility’s ADA Coordinator.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from James Madison University and a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice and Business Management from American Military University. He is a member of the Virginia Gang Investigator’s Association and a life member of the American Jail Association, where he has earned the Certified Jail Manager (CJM) designation.
Regina Chestnut – Director of Medical
Regina Chestnut graduated from Fort Defiance High School and Blue Ridge Community College with an Associate Degree in Nursing. She has been a nurse for 33 years.
Her professional experience includes work at King’s Daughter’s Hospital in Medical/Surgical, the Emergency Department, and Labor and Delivery, as well as The Women’s Center, Carilion Family Medicine, and Augusta County Schools.
In addition to her nursing career, Regina served as a volunteer with the Staunton-Augusta Rescue Squad and was the first female to join the junior squad in 1980.
She currently serves as the Director of Medical at Middle River Regional Jail.
Captain Todd Lloyd – Chief of Security
Captain Todd Lloyd began his career with the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office in 1996 as a Jail Officer. In June 1998, he graduated from the 84th Basic Law Enforcement Academy and went on to serve in multiple divisions including Court Bailiff, Civil Process, Shift Patrol, and the Augusta County SWAT Team. From 2002 to 2006, he served as a Criminal Investigator.
In 2006, he was assigned to the Narcotics Division, where he served until 2014. During this time, he was promoted to Corporal and became one of the supervisors on the Drug Task Force. He was later nominated to attend the FBI National Academy in Quantico, VA. Following his time in Narcotics, he supervised the Warrant Service Division from 2014 to 2016.
In addition to his law enforcement service, Captain Lloyd is the current ADA Coordinator for MRRJ. He is a graduate of the National Jail Leadership Command Staff Academy Class 39 and holds the Certified Jail Manager (CJM) certification with the American Jail Association.
In 2016, Captain Lloyd was promoted to Sergeant, continuing as Warrant Service Division Supervisor before joining Middle River Regional Jail as Lieutenant of Investigations. He went on to serve as Chief of Operations in 2020, Chief of Support Services in 2023, and was promoted to Chief of Security in 2025.
Captain Amber Hostetter – Chief of Support Services
Captain Amber Hostetter began her career with Middle River Regional Jail in 2005 as a Jail Officer. Over the years, she has served in numerous positions including Records, Community Corrections, Programs, Human Resources, Training and Accreditation, Medical, Watch Commander, Intake, Lieutenant of Operations, and Lieutenant of Training.
She earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Virginia Commonwealth University and a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources from Liberty University. She has also completed the Virginia Association of Regional Jail Leadership Initiative, where she later served as a mentor for future classes.
Captain Hostetter is a graduate of the National Jail Leadership Command Academy through the American Jail Association and became a Certified Jail Manager (CJM) in 2021. She is also a DCJS General Instructor, First Aid/CPR Instructor, and currently serves as the Training Committee Chair for the Virginia Association of Regional Jails.
In 2025, Captain Hostetter was promoted to her current position as Chief of Support Services.
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Captain James Ramsey - Chief of Operations
Captain Ramsey began his career at the Augusta County Sheriff's Office as a jailor in 2004. He transitioned to MRRJ in April of 2006 where he has held a number of positions in all three divisions. He has served as a Shift Officer, Watch Commander (Sergeant/Corporal), Intake Supervisor (Corporal), Lieutenant of Support, and Lieutenant of Security. Captain Ramsey is a graduate of the National Jail Leadership Command Academy through the American Jail Association
In August, 2025 he was promoted to his current position as Chief of Operations.