'American Idol' Star From Point Pleasant Denies Heroin Charge

A Point Pleasant native who was a former star on "American Idol" denies that she was involved in heroin distribution before her arrest last week, according to her attorney.

Antonella Barba, 31, ran into trouble with police while she was on her cell phone sitting in the driver’s seat of a rented vehicle in downtown Norfolk on Thursday, Eric Korslund, a Virginia-based criminal defense attorney, told Patch.

A police officer asked for her identification and soon let her go, but another police officer then pulled her over with a police dog and searched the vehicle. He found drugs, Korslund said, but Barba denies knowing they were there.

"She was very cooperative with police. She gave them full identification," Korslund said.

As for her state-of-mind, Korslund said, "She's been doing very well considering the circumstances."

Barba was arraigned Monday morning via video on a felony heroin drug charge, or one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, according to Amanda M. Howie, spokeswoman for the Office of the Norfolk Va. Commonwealth’s Attorney.

Barba, whose next scheduled court date is Oct. 22, remains in custody after she was arrested and jailed in Norfolk, Va. Thursday and charged with trying to sell 100 or more grams of heroin, according to the Norfolk Sheriff's Office.

Barba, who made it into the final 16 of the sixth season of American Idol about a decade ago, was arrested on the 500 block of Duke Street in Norfolk around 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, police said. No other details were provided.

Barba sang three songs before she was eliminated from the show. She's attempted to have a successful singing career, but she initially ran into some hot water when some provocative photos of her surfaced online.

Barba released the single "Jersey Girl" but her career never appeared to take off. She still identifies herself as a singer, violinist, pianist on Instagram page and sang the National Anthem before a Los Angeles Dodgers baseball game. She also sang recently with other "American Idol" alums on Jimmy Kimmel's TV show.

She has an official website that says "Coming Soon," but it doesn't appear there's been much activity on it lately.

Norfolk Sheriff's Office photo