A local prosecutor instrumental in the continued success of Lancaster County’s Drug Court has been recognized with Pennsylvania’s highest award for specialty court work.

Cheryl Ondechek, an assistant district attorney for District Attorney Craig Stedman, was recently given the Louis J. Presenza Award.

Ondecheck is the only person in the state to receive the award this year, from the Pennsylvania Association of Drug Court Professionals.

Ondechek has been Stedman’s prosecutor in drug court since its inception here 12 years ago. She and County Judge David Ashworth, who presides over drug court, are the only remaining original members of the program.

More than 135 participants have graduated successfully from the specialty court, which serves lower-level offenders with drug addictions.

Judge Ashworth nominated Ondechek for the award.

Ondechek has been a prosecutor with the Lancaster County District Attorney’s office for 31 years.

She also recently began prosecuting cases in the county’s Veterans Court.

MEDIA CONTACT: Brett A. Hambright, 717-295-2041; bhambright@co.lancaster.pa.us