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Former social worker’s sentencing on drug charges delayed

By Brad Zinn/staff • bzinn@newsleader.com • July 3, 2008

http://www.newsleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080703/NEWS05/80703018/1002/NEWS01

WAYNESBORO — A former Child Protective Services worker for Shenandoah
Valley Social Services had her sentencing on drug charges delayed
Thursday morning in Waynesboro General District Court.
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Authorities arrested Cherrianne Long, 32, of Grottoes on June 26, 2007,
after she was spotted in the 200 block of Port Republic Road, an area
known for drug trafficking. Police said an unidentified man was sitting
in Long’s 1983 BMW. As police questioned the man, Long exited a nearby
building and approached the car. The man and Long gave authorities
differing versions for being in the area, according to Waynesboro police.

After noticing a bulge in Long’s pants pocket, police searched her and
found oxycodone and methadone. Long was charged with two counts of
possession of narcotics with intent to distribute.

The Virginia Department of Forensic Science said 47 tablets of oxycodone
and six tablets of methadone were seized. Waynesboro prosecutor Charles
Ajemian said Long was trading drugs for drugs when caught.

At Thursday’s hearing, Judge Humes J. Franklin Jr. said he needed a
delay in sentencing because he wanted to review a more recent
psychiatric report on Long.
“I’m not ready to sentence her until I see how the treatment
progresses,” the judge said.

During the hearing, Long, who has no prior felony arrests, was praised
for her past work at the Department of Social Services and for her
commitment to overcoming her drug problems.

“She struggles with it in a really heroic manner, in my opinion,” said
Ajemian, who noted he will seek continued drug treatment for Long when
she is sentenced.

Long pleaded guilty to the felony drug charges in November. Sentencing
in the case could come as early as next week. Long remains free on bond.