Former Amherst quarterback sentenced on drug charges

AMHERST — Former Amherst County football star and Virginia Tech hopeful Peter Rose was expected, under state sentencing guidelines, to leave court Wednesday as a free man, but as a convicted felon.

Rose, who was found guilty in a trial earlier this year of two misdemeanor charges and two felony charges of selling drugs to an undercover Amherst County Sheriff’s deputy, instead left with a 30-day sentence and only misdemeanor convictions.

His attorney, Joseph Sanzone, said the court’s leniency could allow Rose to get the financial aid he needs to go to college since felons are typically ineligible for government assistance and other scholarships.

“Peter can redeem himself,” Sanzone said. “He can do things to make us proud of him.”

After the verdict, those who had packed the courtroom poured out into the lobby, cheering and thanking God.

“I thank the Lord for freeing my son,” John Rose said.

The charges, filed in May, stemmed from a deal Rose made in late April to sell a quarter of an ounce of marijuana to a young deputy who had posed as a student at the high school for nearly a year, according to testimony at his trial. He sold a similar amount to the deputy again on May 7.

As Amherst County’s quarterback in 2006 and 2007, Rose led the Lancers to two state titles. Before his arrest, The Associated Press and Virginia High School League Association named him the Virginia Group AA Player of the Year.

He had been recruited to play cornerback at Virginia Tech. That scholarship offer was revoked after Rose was arrested and charged with two misdemeanor counts of distributing marijuana and two felony counts of selling the drug within 1,000 feet of a school.

Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Cary Payne argued against setting aside the felonies. Payne said he supported a probation-only sentence, but stressed that Rose had arranged the drug deals in the parking lot at Amherst County High School and completed them at the McDonald’s on U.S. 60, within 1,000 feet of Amherst Elementary School.

During two hours of testimony, former coaches, teachers and others who had watched him grow up testified Rose was well mannered and talented beyond his success on the football field.

Former Amherst County High football coach and current Washington & Lee head coach Scott Abell said he was devastated to hear Rose had been arrested. Abell said Rose had made stupid mistakes during a three-week period of his life, but had “the character to come back and make good for his mistakes.”

Rose testified Wednesday the only time he had ever sold drugs was to the undercover deputy, to which Payne replied, “That’s got to suck.”

Rose said his family had always struggled financially. He had money in his pocket, knew a man was dealing drugs in his neighborhood and saw an opportunity to make easy money, he said.

“Temptation came and I failed,” he said.

Judge Michael Gamble said Rose will have to serve about 15 days of his 30-day jail sentence.

Gamble said he would dismiss a remaining felony drug charge against Rose as long as he completes 100 hours of community service, undergoes a substance abuse assessment and any required treatment, remains on good behavior and passes any drug tests.

The judge said he would consider suspending some of those requirements should Rose be accepted into college.