NELSON COUNTY, Va. (WDBJ) – A former Nelson County Sheriff’s Office employee was convicted Thursday of sex crimes against children and drug trafficking, the Nelson County District Court announced.

Raymond Uttaro was sentenced to life imprisonment plus 125 years with 100 years suspended, with Uttaro serving an active sentence of life imprisonment plus 25 years.

Uttaro was found guilty in May 2024 of four counts of aggravated sexual assault of a minor, four counts of furnishing oxycodone to a minor, four counts of sodomy of a minor, two counts of sexual penetration with an object of a minor, two counts of sexual intercourse with a minor, one count of kidnapping with intent to defile a child under the age of 16, and one count of sexual assault of a minor. These crimes occurred when the victim was between the ages of 11 and 15.

Uttaro was arrested in July 2023 following allegations of child sexual abuse, sparking an investigation.

“My office will vigorously prosecute any sexual offense involving a minor. I am grateful for the dedication of my victim witness advocate, Beth Phelps, and for the hard work of Sheriff Mark Embrey and the Nelson County Sheriff’s Office. Most importantly, it took tremendous courage on the part of the victim to step before the jury and testify.”

According to the sheriff’s office, Uttaro was a jailer and DARE officer. He later served as the emergency coordinator for Nelson County, which is under the supervision of the Board of Supervisors and the County Administrator. He also served with the Lovingston Volunteer Fire Department.

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