ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, March 4, 1997 TAG: 9703040082
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LAURENCE HAMMACK STAFF WRITER
A deputy clerk in Roanoke Circuit Court became a defendant Monday when a grand jury indicted her on charges of possessing cocaine and marijuana.
Tierney A. Monroe, 35, was charged along with her 19-year-old son, who is accused of running a crack house out of their Southwest Roanoke home. Although Monroe is not charged with distributing drugs, authorities contend that she possessed cocaine and marijuana and knew they were being sold from her home.
Regional Drug Prosecutor Dennis Nagel declined to comment on the evidence against Monroe. But he did say that her case illustrates how pervasive a problem crack has become in the Roanoke Valley.
"We have charged doctors and lawyers, professional and blue-collar workers, so it would be absurd to think that court workers would be immune from this as well," Nagel said. "It's unfortunate, but people seem to make their choices regardless of what jobs they have, and what jobs they risk."
As a deputy clerk in the criminal division of the clerk's office, Monroe was responsible for record-keeping and sometimes appeared in court to call cases, swear in witnesses and record their testimony on tape.
Monroe, who has worked in the office for about four years, did not show up for work Monday. Circuit Court Clerk Arthur "Burt" Crush said she has been suspended, pending further investigation.
Police raided Monroe's home on the 1700 block of Chapman Avenue Southwest the night of Feb. 11, according to a search warrant filed three weeks ago in a Circuit Court filing cabinet about 15 feet from her desk.
In an affidavit explaining why they wanted to search the house, police said an informant had recently purchased crack from someone named "Shannon" in the house, and that there were more drugs remaining when he left.
The informant is an admitted drug user who has provided information that led to three drug arrests in the past month, according to the warrant.
After searching the house, police seized 30 potential pieces of evidence. The warrant listed as evidence 10 undisclosed quantities of substances thought to be crack and marijuana, a .25-caliber handgun and ammunition, a razor blade with what appeared to be cocaine residue on it, a set of digital scales, numerous plastic bags and a pager.
Monroe's son, Shannon Brown, was charged Monday with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. At the time of the raid, he was free on bond awaiting trial for another drug charge, authorities said.
Nagel said Monroe will be allowed to remain free on a personal recognizance bond. She could not be reached for comment Monday.
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