ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Friday, November 1, 1996               TAG: 9611010033
SECTION: VIRGINIA                 PAGE: B1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: S.D. HARRINGTON STAFF WRITER

EX-GOLF STAR PLEADS `NO CONTEST' STALLINS' SENTENCING IN DEC. IN DRUG CASE

Roanoke Valley golf star and former Salem physical education teacher Penny Stallins pleaded no contest Thursday to three drug-related charges in Salem Circuit Court.

She had been charged with possession of marijuana and cocaine with intent to distribute the drugs and one charge of possession of amphetamine.

But in a plea agreement with Salem Commonwealth's Attorney Fred King, the cocaine charge was reduced to simple possession.

Circuit Judge G.O. Clemens convicted Stallins, 45, on the reduced charge and the two others.

She will be sentenced in December after a pre-sentencing report is completed. She faces a maximum of 30 years in prison.

Stallins was caught in a sting operation in June in the parking lot of a Botetourt County Food Lion. After questioning at the Botetourt Sheriff's Office, Stallins led law enforcers to her home in an affluent North Salem neighborhood, King said. There police found small amounts of cocaine and amphetamine and less than 4 ounces of marijuana.

In Botetourt County Circuit Court on Tuesday, Stallins pleaded no contest and was convicted of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. She faces up to 40 years on prison on that charge.

The former Roanoke Valley golf champ said little during the Thursday hearing in Salem. She wept as Clemens reviewed the plea agreement. Neither Stallins nor her attorney, William Heartwell, would comment afterward.

Stallins taught physical education and health at Salem High School from 1983 to 1990, when she transferred to Andrew Lewis Middle School. In November 1995, she was granted a disability retirement from her teaching job at Andrew Lewis.

Stallins won the Roanoke Valley Women's Golf Association City-County Championship in 1973. In 1985-87, she became the first golfer to win the Roanoke Valley Golf Hall of Fame women's championship three times in a row.

LENGTH: Short :   45 lines
ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO:   CINDY PINKSTON Staff Penny Stallins faces a maximum of 
          30 years in prison on the Salem drug charges.  color