Cox case gets continuance

By Susan Gibbs, Record Reporter
Published: December 3, 2008

The 39-year-old Greene County woman charged with having sex with William Monroe High School athletes has been granted a continuance.
Tammy Harlow Cox, of 3543 Celt Road in Stanardsville, will next appear in the Greene County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court Tuesday, January 22, 2009 at 11 a.m.
Interviewed following Cox’s court appearance Thursday, November 20, Commonwealth Attorney Ronald L. Morris explained: “After a review of the file, the Commonwealth … changed or modified some of the charges.“
As a result, the defendant was entitled to a continuance, Morris added.
Cox, who was arrested October 3, was originally charged with the following: two felony counts of taking indecent liberties with a child while in a custodial or supervisory relationship and three misdemeanor counts of causing or rendering children delinquent.
A teary-eyed Cox listened as Judge Susan L. Whitlock amended the warrants to allege one felony count of taking indecent liberties with a child while in a custodial or supervisory relationship, and four misdemeanor counts.
The misdemeanor counts, said Morris, allege that Cox “had consensual sexual intercourse with minors under the age of 18 and over the age of 15.“
Morris said that he was not at liberty to discuss details of the cases at this time because they have not yet gone to trial.
The investigation of Cox began as a result of a locker room hazing incident in August at WMHS, according to Greene County authorities.
Shortly after the hazing incident was reported to Superintendent of Schools Dave Jeck in September, three players informed Coach Tom Hoffman of “inappropriate conduct” by a parent. That information was turned over the Sheriff’s Office.
According to an affidavit prepared by signed by Sgt. James Watson, Greene County School District Assistant Superintendent Debra Brown advised the Sheriff’s Office that “Cox has been telephone ‘texting’ male high school students. Three male students, all under the age of 18 and over the age of 15 have received or viewed ‘text’ message(s) involving indecent language … (and) strong sexual content … (and) … a picture sent from … Cox’s cellular telephone, where she exposed her full face and breast.“
A search warrant was issued on September 24. The search, executed the next day, resulted in the seizure of Cox’s cellular phone.
Cox remains free on a $5,000 personal property bond.
When she appears in court January 22, the four misdemeanor counts will be set for trial and the felony count will be set for preliminary hearing, Morris said.
Each misdemeanor carries the possibility of up to 12 months in jail and up to a $2,500 fine, Morris said.
“The remaining felony … (alleges) … that she was in a supervisory role with one of the juveniles at the time the sexual relationship occurred,“ he added. “(That) charge carries a maximum of five years in the penitentiary.“