Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, March 22, 1990                   TAG: 9003212196
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV4   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: NEAL THOMPSON NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG                                 LENGTH: Medium

JUDGE AGREES TO WORK RELEASE FOR DRUG DEALER

Montgomery Circuit Court Judge Kenneth I. Devore said in court Tuesday that James W. Gallimore, 30, can serve his two-year sentence in the county jail on a work-release program if he meets qualifications set by the sheriff's department.

"Its a long [application] form and a long set of rules," Sheriff Louis Barber said after the court hearing. "But if he meets the criteria, we'll consider it."

If Gallimore meets requirements, he would be the only person convicted of drug charges to work in the program, Barber said.

Gallimore pleaded guilty to a charge of selling morphine pills and a bag of marijuana to an informant and an undercover state police agent in December 1988. A grand jury indicted Gallimore on the two charges in September.

Gallimore was sentenced to two years in jail and three years on probation as part of a plea agreement between Commonwealth's Attorney Phil Keith and the defense attorney, James Turk.

After Devore accepted the agreement, Turk asked if Gallimore could serve his two years in work-release because he has a job and doesn't want to lose it. Keith did not object.

To be considered for work release, Barber said, Gallimore must have a job with a "legitimate employer" who has proper insurance and worker's compensation. He also must have regular hours and be able to follow the county's work-release transportation.

"It also has to meet the approval of the employer. Some of the major companies won't do it," Barber said.

Four county prisoners are released each day to work at local jobs and return to jail each night, five days a week.

Gallimore will begin serving his sentence March 30.