Vanessa Hernandez, 40, pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor charge of receiving or buying stolen goods. She was sentenced to serve 30 days of incarceration with another 11 months suspended.

The charge was amended from a felony to a misdemeanor.

According to evidence summarized in court, on June 20, 2021, the Appomattox County Sheriff’s Department received a call from a male whose iPhone was stolen at Smith Mountain Lake.

The phone was later pinging in Appomattox County. Deputies showed up at the residence and questioned Hernandez and a man who was her boyfriend. The couple claimed they found the phone and that perhaps a drug dealer had placed it in their backpack.

However, it was discovered that $45 was withdrawn from an ATM at the Farmville Walmart. Hernandez admitted to having the SIM card, and turned over the phone and SIM card.

Hernandez may serve her sentence on weekends and abide by 12 months of good behavior and have no contact with the victim as conditions of the suspended time.

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