'American Idol' Star From Point Pleasant Out Of Jail, Goes Home

A Point Pleasant native who was once a star on "American Idol" has been released from jail after she was arrested for heroin distribution earlier this month, officials said.

A Virginia judge released Antonella Barba, 31, under the condition that she’s to live with her parents in New Jersey, be monitored by GPS, and have a curfew between 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., authorities said.

Barba was released on Saturday and a preliminary hearing was scheduled for Dec. 18.

Barba was arrested and jailed in Norfolk, Va. on Oct. 11 and charged with trying to sell 100 or more grams of heroin, according to the Norfolk Sheriff's Office. Through her attorney, she has denied the charge.

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 Oct. 11, police said.

Eric Korslund, a Virginia-based criminal defense attorney, told Patch that Barba 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, Va.

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 later arraigned 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.

A decade ago, Barba sang three songs before she was eliminated from American Idol. 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