Thefts lead to grand larceny charges heard in NK court

A Quinton man stole a nail gun and a Lanexa man stole a go-cart, but both crimes amounted to grand larceny charges and separate trials in New Kent Circuit Court.

Christopher Woodrow Holt, 40, of 14636 Rockahock Road in Lanexa, was convicted of stealing a $400 nail gun from Andrew Michael Wiggins on May 5. At sentencing on July 7, Judge Thomas B. Hoover reduced the charge to petty larceny and sentenced the defendant to 12 months in jail with all but 10 days suspended.

Hoover agreed to a motion by defense attorney Todd Duval to reconsider the grand larceny conviction, labeling the offense as a “minor felony.”

Last Nov. 19, Wiggins allowed Holt use of the nail gun for work on a project at Wiggins’ home, but Holt never returned the tool. Wiggins made several phone calls to Holt between Nov. 19 and Dec. 9, but none were returned. Wiggins eventually drove to Holt’s residence and found the nail gun stashed away in Holt’s pickup truck.

Hoover ruled at a May 5 trial that Holt’s refusal to return the calls showed criminal intent. At sentencing, Hoover denied Duval’s motion to set aside the verdict, but eventually agreed to reconsider.

In the case of Marvin Kenneth Otey, 40, of 7600 Mimosa Lane in Quinton, the defendant was indicted in May for grand larceny last Jan. 12 of a go-cart belonging to Deborah Brandon along with conspiracy to commit grand larceny.

As part of a plea deal reached on July 7, Otey pleaded guilty to the grand larceny charge while the conspiracy count was dropped.

In summarizing evidence, prosecutor Linwood Gregory told the court the go-cart was being stored at an unoccupied house and was reported missing by Brandon on Jan. 12. A hacksaw used to cut a chain securing the vehicle was found at the scene.

A few days later and while on patrol, New Kent Deputy Joey McLaughlin spotted a go-cart matching the description of the stolen vehicle at Otey’s residence. The defendant claimed a cousin had dropped off the vehicle so he could work on it.

Gregory said another man admitted to investigators on Jan. 21 that he collaborated with Otey to steal the go-cart.

Otey remains free on bond, but faces up to 20 years in prison when sentencing takes place in August. He also must pay $250 in restitution to Brandon to cover damages to the vehicle.