NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — A Virginia Beach woman spent two decades in a profession that’s on the right side of the law.

But Tuesday, Tashonna McKinzie, 49, went before a judge on a charge that she’s part of a drug conspiracy. She’s one of four people arrested July 29 in two cities — Norfolk and Virginia Beach.

With former co-workers from the sheriff’s office in attendance, McKinzie stood for her arraignment hearing in Norfolk General District Court. According to court documents, she faces the same charge in Norfolk and Virginia Beach — drug conspiracy to sell or distribute Schedule I/Schedule II controlled substances for profit. However, her attorney, Eric Korslund, cautioned they are only allegations.

“She’s not in custody, and we’re very thankful for that,” Korslund said. “These are serious charges. There’s two other individuals who are charged in this conspiracy, if you will. And that’s our position. So she knows these individuals, but she didn’t participate in any drug conspiracy.”

McKinzie was arrested July 29 and was immediately fired from her inmate placement job at the Norfolk jail. According to sources, on the job is where she met co-defendant Bradley Shines, who shared an address with McKinzie in the southern region of Virginia Beach.

“They had a romantic relationship,” Korslund said. “They dated each other on and off, but that, in no way, means that she shared a drug conspiracy with him.”

A neighbor told 10 On Your Side the Virginia Beach SWAT team visited the home twice in the past few days.

Shines, also arrested July 29, has been charged with distribution manufacturing, selling drugs near a school and possession of a weapon. He has previous drug charges in Norfolk dating back to 2007, six years after McKinzie started working at the jail.

McKinzie was released on bond.

Eboni Mallory and Brenton Thatch of Galveston Street — one of the Texas streets not far from Interstate 64 and Little Creek Road — were also arrested July 29.

Mallory, who also has a Philpotts Road address, faces a long list of serious charges, including drug distribution, possession with intent to sell and manufacture drugs and possession of a gun while distributing drugs.

Thatch faces similar charges, but also faces a charge of selling drugs and possessing a weapon near a school.

Both Mallory and Thatch face a terrorism charge that falls under a new law that is related to the potentially deadly drug, fentanyl.

Mallory is due in court Aug. 8 — that’s when a judge will confirm whether she has an attorney.

Thatch is due in court Sept. 17 — that’s the same day Shines is scheduled to appear before a judge.