Chesapeake Beach Woman Charged In Calvert Detention Center Inmate Funds Investigation

PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. — A Chesapeake Beach woman has been charged after investigators alleged she used administrative access at the Calvert County Detention Center to create unauthorized prepaid debit cards tied to former inmates and divert county-maintained funds.

Paige Johnna Eldred, also listed in charging documents as Paige Johnna Ruggles, 31, of Chesapeake Beach, is charged with one count of embezzlement/misappropriation, 10 counts of stealing another person’s credit card and three counts of fraudulent use of another person’s credit card for less than $100, according to court and charging documents.

The case stems from an investigation by the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office after a former inmate returned to the Calvert County Detention Center seeking money remaining in an inmate commissary account. According to the application for statement of charges, a review of detention center financial records found the funds had already been processed and disbursed through the Prestige Prepaid Mastercard inmate release card system.

The former inmate reported never receiving any funds or a release card, according to charging documents.

Investigators then conducted a broader audit of the prepaid debit card program and inmate fund disbursement records. The audit allegedly found multiple suspicious prepaid debit cards created in the names of former inmates, with activity occurring months or years after the inmates had been released from custody.

Charging documents allege Eldred had administrator-level access to financial systems used to create, activate, fund, monitor and manage inmate release cards. Investigators also documented that she had physical control of the credit and debit card production equipment kept in her office, along with access to physical checks issued to inmates.

The report notes that funds deposited into inmate commissary accounts are held in a digital balance within the detention center’s accounting system and maintained through a county treasurer account. When a person is released or transferred, remaining money must be returned by check, prepaid card or official transfer documentation, according to the charging documents.

Investigators reported that no signed release receipts were located in the files of the inmates tied to the case.

According to charging documents, the audit identified 10 former inmates whose names were used to create suspicious prepaid debit cards. Investigators also reported timing discrepancies, including card activity months or years after release dates and one card created before the person’s actual release date.

The report documented rapid balance inquiries across multiple unrelated cards and alleged that on July 5, 2024, cards belonging to two different former inmates were used at the same location within one second of each other.

Spending activity was concentrated at local merchants in Prince Frederick, Lusby, California and surrounding areas, including grocery stores, coffee shops, restaurants and other businesses, charging documents state. Investigators described the pattern as inconsistent with use by former inmates who had no knowledge of the cards.

The total identified financial loss to Calvert County was approximately $750 to $800, according to the application for statement of charges. Investigators reported that the losses included funds loaded onto unauthorized cards, successful transactions, service fees and insufficient-funds charges.

Eldred was issued a criminal summons on May 23, 2026, and court records show the summons was served May 28, 2026. The charging document lists 14 total counts tied to alleged activity between June 2024 and November 2024.

A preliminary inquiry is scheduled for July 6, 2026, at Calvert District Court in Prince Frederick.

Under Maryland law and the penalties listed in the charging document, Eldred could face up to 20 years and nine months in jail and $6,500 in fines if convicted on all counts and ordered to serve the maximum penalties consecutively.

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