Hearing waived on drug charges

View larger image James H. Allamong Jr.

WOODSTOCK -- Prominent attorney James H. Allamong Jr. waived his right to a preliminary hearing on drug charges Tuesday afternoon in Shenandoah County General District Court.

Instead, his case will go before a Shenandoah County Circuit Court grand jury, which will consider whether he should be indicted on Feb. 29.

Allamong, who has since resigned as a substitute general district court judge for the 26th Circuit, was arrested in October and charged with possession with the intent to distribute marijuana and manufacturing marijuana.

A fire at an outbuilding on his property Oct. 3 led to the discovery of 41 marijuana plants. More pot was found in Allamong's basement in a woodstove and a freezer, according to a criminal complaint.

Allamong has said he was using marijuana to ease the pain of injuries he sustained during the Vietnam War.

Prince William County Commonwealth's Attorney Paul Ebert has been brought in as a special prosecutor.

"Good luck with this situation," substitute Judge Charles B. Foley told Allamong after the hearing.