Prisoners of Love : Two Nevada Inmates Tie the Knot After 2-Month Jailhouse Courtship

Two prisoners met for the first time at their wedding ceremony, two months after they became acquainted through an air vent while serving sentences on different floors at the County Jail.

Deborah Kay Miller had never met Deon Porchia in person before Thursday’s brief ceremony in District Judge Dell Guy’s courtroom. They were joined by an audience of 20 court clerks, secretaries, bailiffs and lawyers.

Both are prisoners at the Clark County Detention Center. Miller, housed on the ninth floor, and Porchia, housed on the seventh, began their courtship two months ago by talking to each other through an air vent every night.

“He even used to sing from his cell up to mine and I loved his laugh,” said Miller, 35.

Earlier Thursday, Guy had revoked Miller’s probation on a drug charge and sentenced her to three years in prison. Porchia, 28, ha been sentenced to two to 21 years on his robbery conviction. The Nevada prison system does not allow conjugal visits.

Miller’s lawyer, deputy public defender Patricia Justice, ordered a modest sheet cake with the pair’s names spelled out in the icing and brought several cans of soda.

An electronic mail message went out on the courthouse computer inviting personnel to attend the ceremony, the first marriage for both the bride and groom.

After the couple had a few bites of cakes and several sips of soda, a bailiff announced that it was time to go. The handcuffs and leg irons were refastened, the judge offered his best wishes and the couple exchanged longing glances. Then they were gone.