THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, November 17, 1995 TAG: 9511170205
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LARRY W. BROWN, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 47 lines
A Norfolk woman who was caught on an incriminating undercover videotape with a former Richmond City Councilman pleaded guilty Wednesday to two felony drug possession charges in Henrico Circuit Court.
Tammie L. Taylor, 24, was released on bond while she awaits a Jan. 24 sentencing for possession of heroin and cocaine.
She was arrested with former Councilman Chuck Richardson, 47, Sept. 17 after being secretly videotaped in the apartment of a friend, who also was working as a police informant. Police raided the apartment after the informant cued them.
Taylor's conviction brought closer to an end a tale of love and drugs that began to spiral out of control when she and Richardson were arrested. Richardson, a councilman for 18 years, resigned the next day.
According to reports, the two met in a Richmond drug rehab center in July 1994 and had been dating since then. Richardson, who had a history of heroin addiction, was the target of the September sting operation that snared Taylor.
The videotape shows the former councilman placing a small amount of heroin on a table and accepting $50 in return. Another videotape recorded in August showed Taylor apparently preparing to use crack cocaine in the same informant's kitchen.
Charges against Taylor of heroin distribution and conspiracy to distribute heroin were withdrawn Wednesday in exchange for the guilty pleas. She could face a maximum 20 years in prison, but state sentencing guidelines indicate a suspended prison sentence with no active jail time.
Taylor attended Maury High School. Her drug problems started after graduation, she said in a past interview. In court Wednesday, Taylor said she was in recovery and was living in Norfolk under her sister's care.
Richardson pleaded guilty to heroin distribution Sept. 27. He is scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 8. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Tammie Taylor
KEYWORDS: DRUG ARREST CONVICTION by CNB