Ex-CPS investigator pleads guilty in Augusta County to molesting young girl, gets prison
STAUNTON — A former Child Protective Services investigator with Shenandoah Valley Social Services is headed to prison after being convicted Wednesday of molesting a young girl several years ago.
Jessica M. Duff, 44, of Raphine, pleaded guilty to a charge of aggravated sexual battery during a hearing in Augusta County Circuit Court.
According to Augusta County's Human Resources Department, Duff is a former Family Services Specialist III with CPS. The Virginia Department of Social Services said the position includes investigating claims of child abuse. Duff's employment began in 2010 and ended in 2018.
The victim was not connected to Duff's employment with CPS, according to evidence.
In court Wednesday, Augusta County Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney Lorna Hilliard said an investigation of Duff began in March 2023 following a CPS referral. Hilliard said the investigation revealed the girl was fondled by Duff at her Raphine home in 2018. Duff was 38 years old at the time, the prosecutor said.
A year before that, Hilliard said the same victim was sexually abused by Duff in Staunton. Last week, Duff pleaded guilty in Staunton to three charges of aggravated sexual battery, court records show.
Evidence in Staunton showed that in 2023, the victim told her mother Duff had sexually abused her a few years prior. Staunton Chief Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney Joe Perry said the sexual abuse was ongoing. The prosecutor said the girl told authorities Duff attempted to make her actions appear normal and that she "made it seem like they were in love." Perry said it was grooming behavior.
In the Staunton case, Duff was sentenced to 10 years in prison with all 10 years suspended.
In Augusta County, per a plea agreement, Duff was given 20 years behind bars with 15 years suspended, leaving her with a five-year prison term to serve.
Given a chance to address the court Wednesday, she declined.
Duff will be registered as a sex offender. A protective order was also issued by Circuit Judge Shannon Sherrill that prohibits her from having contact with the victim.
"And that will last the rest of your life," the judge said.
Duff's guilty pleas nixed two scheduled jury trials. She is now being held at Middle River Regional Jail in Verona awaiting transfer to the Virginia Department of Corrections.
Brad Zinn is the cops, courts and breaking news reporter at The News Leader. Have a news tip? Or something that needs investigating? You can email reporter Brad Zinn (he/him) at bzinn@newsleader.com. You can also follow him on X (formerly Twitter).
This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Ex-CPS investigator pleads guilty in Augusta County to sex abuse
