COMMANDERS

Commanders

Colonel Eric Young - Superintendent

Colonel Young was born and raised in Staunton, VA. He is a 30-year Law Enforcement Veteran with Augusta County Sheriff's Office and Middle River Regional Jail.

Colonel Young has served in various capacities with the Augusta County Sheriff's Office to include, corrections, patrol, School Resource Officer, bicycle patrol, civil process, court security and Chief of Security. Since the opening of Middle River Regional Jail in April 2006,

Colonel Young has continually served as one of the original administration members.

As the Superintendent, he oversees the entire facility as well as handling the yearly budget.
Colonel Young was promoted from Lt. Colonel in July 2022, after being promoted from Major in January 2022.

Major Tony Heflin - Director of Operations

Major Heflin began his career at the Augusta County Sheriff's Office as a Jailor in 1992 and was promoted to the rank of Corporal in 1993. He was moved to the Sheriff's Officer in 1997 where he was assigned to different divisions to include: Circuit Court Baliff, Civil Process, Crime Prevention, Professional Standards, and Administrative Sergeant.

In 2016 Major Helfin came to MRRJ as a Sergeant over Training and Accreditation and was promoted to the Rank of Lieutenant in 2018.

Major Heflin is a DCJS General Instructor, Firearms Instructor, CPR Instructor, VLEPSC Accreditation Manager and Certified VLEPSC Accreditation Assessor. He has also completed the VARJ Leadership Program and is CJM Certified.

The Director of Operations oversees of the following departments within Middle River Regional Jail: Shift Personnel, Community Corrections, Records, Intake, Classification, Transportation, Inmate Accounts and Property. Major Heflin also assists the Superintendent with the yearly budget. Major Heflin reports directly to the Superintendent.

Major Heflin was promoted to the Rank of Captain in 2019, and Major in 2022.

Major Lori Nicholson - Director of Support Services

Major Nicholson began her career in the Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) as a Correctional Officer in 1988 at Augusta Correctional Center in Craigsville, Virginia. She was promoted to the Rank of Correctional Sergeant in 1994. This position included Training Sergeant General DCJS Instructor with Specialties in Lamb Baton, Defensive Tactics, First Aid CPR and Chemical Munitions.

She transferred to Fluvanna Correctional Center in 1997 and was promoted to the Rank of Lieutenant. She was placed on a transition team to help open the largest female multi-classification correctional facility on the East Coast. She was promoted to Correctional Captain in 2004.

In 2005 Major Nicholson left the (VADOC) and was placed on the Transition Team to help open Middle River Regional Jail.

The Director of Support Services oversees the following departments within MRRJ: Food Services, Maintenance, Information Technology, Mail Room, Medical, Mental Health, Training, Programs, Education and Jail Accreditation. Major Nicholson also assists the Superintendent with the yearly budget. Major Nicholson reports directly to the Superintendent.

Major Nicholson's background includes working with Juvenile Offenders and currently is one of the Commissioners for the Office on Youth for the Staunton District. She served on the Board for the Children Advocacy Center for the Shenandoah Valley from October 2015 to December 2021. She has a passion for the youth of our community and their well-being. Major Nicholson is the mother of two sons and a member of the Friendship Church of Staunton.

Captain Todd Lloyd - Chief of Operations

Captain Todd Lloyd began his career at the Augusta County Sheriff's Office as a Jail Officer in 1996. In June 1998, he graduated from the 84th Basic Law Enforcement Academy, and was then assigned to different divisions to include: Court Bailiff, Civil Process, Shift Patrol and Augusta County SWAT Team. He served as a Criminal Investigator from 2002 until 2006.

While working in the Narcotics Division from 2006 to 2014, he was promoted to Corporal and was one of the supervisors on the Drug Task Force. Captain Lloyd was nominated to attend the FBI National Academy in Quantico, VA, then served as supervisor of the Warrant Service Division from 2014 to 2016.

In 2016, Captain Lloyd was promoted to Sergeant, continuing to serve as Warrant Service Division Supervisor, until moving to MRRJ as Lieutenant of Investigations.

He became Chief of Operations at MRRJ in 2020.

Captain Leslie Powell - Chief of Security

Captain Powell began his career in Corrections in 2004 at the Riverside Regional Jail in North Prince George, VA. During his time at Riverside Regional Jail he was assigned to various positions; to include Pod Officer, Response Team, Watch Commander Sergeant, Classifications Supervisor, Major Hearings Sergeant, Gang Coordinator, Office of Professional Review Sergeant, Office of Professional Review Lieutenant, Alternate Public Information Officer, Watch Commander Lieutenant, and Chief of Housing Unit Management.

Captain Powell is a member of the Virginia Gang Investigator's Association and the American Jail Association.

Captain Powell is a DCJS General Instructor, DCJS Firearms Instructor, a Certified Gang Specialist, Certified Jail Manager and has a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice.

He became Chief of Security at MRRJ in 2019.

Captain Wyatt Brown - Chief of Support Services

Captain Brown was born and raised in Staunton, VA. He is a 15-year law enforcement veteran with The Staunton Police Department and Middle River Regional Jail. While at SPD, Captain Brown served as a Police Officer, Field Trainer, and Investigator and was assigned to the Joint Narcotics Task Force. He holds a variety of instructorships including specialties in firearms, use of force, digital forensics, less-lethal munitions, crisis intervention and mental health training.

He has been with MRRJ since 2016, serving as an Officer, Sergeant, Information Technology Supervisor, and Lieutenant. He has served as the Assistant ADA Coordinator for MRRJ and is the current the ADA Coordinator.

He has a BA from James Madison University and an MA 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 holds the Certified Jail Manager certification.

He was promoted to Captain and became the Chief of Support Services in February 2022.

John Lilly - Chief of Programs

Mr. Lilly began his career at MRRJ as the Programs Director in December of 2005 bringing 3 and a half years of experience as a Counselor in the Virginia DOC. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Communication Arts from Concord University in Athens. WV.

Mr. Lilly has been involved in youth sports as a coach, coaching kids from Elementary to High School in Football and Basketball.

He believes in giving people the tools and opportunities to turn their lives around. He is thankful for the many agencies, groups, and individuals in the area for the time, effort, and energy that they donate to enable us to provide the many opportunities and services made available to those incarcerated at MRRJ.

Regina Chestnut - Chief of Medical

Regina Chestnut graduated from Fort Defiance High School and BRCC with Associate Degree in Nursing. Regina has been a nurse for 33 years. She worked at Kings Daughter’s Hospital, Medical/Surgical, Emergency Department, Labor and Delivery, The Women’s Center, Carilion Family Medicine, Augusta County Schools and currently works at MRRJ.

She was a volunteer with Staunton Augusta Rescue Squad and was the first female on the junior squad in 1980

Born and raised in Augusta Co. Love spending time with my parents, husband, and daughter. Love being outside, gardening and the beach

MIDDLE RIVER REGIONAL JAIL