Aylett tandem accept plea deals in New Kent Circuit Court

Two Aylett men who were involved in a July 14 burglary accepted plea deals during New Kent Circuit Court proceedings Monday afternoon.

Gregory Reed Wilhelm, 47, and Jason Bill Dunlow, 19, entered Alford pleas of guilty, stipulating while they maintain their innocence, evidence presented would be enough to convict the duo of the crime.

In a summary of evidence provided by Commonwealth’s Attorney Linwood Gregory, Wilhelm and Dunlow entered the home of Steven Hepner on Tunstall Road after the victim had left the premises to run an errand. Hepner returned to find the front door of his home kicked in. An inspection of the property revealed several firearms, credit cards, and pieces of jewelry had been stolen.

In the following few days, both Dunlow and Wilhelm pawned several items at an Ashland pawnshop. On July 23, Dunlow sold a stolen crossbow to a neighbor, who turned down offers to purchase firearms.

An investigation followed, leading authorities to the home of Wilhelm and Dunlow. After receiving permission from Wilhelm’s wife, a search of the home was conducted, resulting in the location of several firearms and stolen merchandise in a black plastic bag. The bag was sent to the forensics department with results revealing fingerprints belonging to Wilhelm and Dunlow found on the bag. The two were arrested soonafter.

Under the plea agreement, Dunlow entered Alford guilty pleas to one count each of grand larceny and intent to sell stolen property. One charge of burglary was dropped. He received a 10-year sentence on the grand larceny charge with all but three months suspended. Ten years on the intent to sell stolen property were suspended.

Wilhelm entered Alford guilty pleas to one count each of burglary, grand larceny, and intent to sell stolen property as part of his plea deal. One charge of nonviolent felon possession of a weapon was dropped. He will serve three years, three months active on the burglary conviction, with the 16 years, nine months suspended. Twenty years on the grand larceny charge and 10 years on the intent to sell stolen property charge were also suspended. Both men must also pay $3,975.33 in restitution.

In other circuit court proceedings:

–Erin Merrill Bierwirth, 33, of the 6700 block of Halstead Lane, Providence Forge, accepted a plea deal and entered guilty pleas to an amended charge of receiving stolen property (originally embezzlement) and obtaining money by false pretenses. Two charges of uttering, one charge of embezzlement, and one charge of misdemeanor identification theft were dropped. In a summary of evidence, Bierwirth was a bookkeeper for Ronald Marshburn and used his information to purchase an all-terrain vehicle without his permission on June 12. She also attempted to use a check under the victim’s name to pay her rent on Aug. 19. Formal sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 4, with conditions saying that she will be admitted to the Women’s Detention and Diversion program if she qualifies or will serve one year in jail. She must also pay $2,050 in restitution.

–Laura Lee Carter, 33, of 17 Woodsman Road, Hampton, had all time suspended on felony charges of identity theft (second offense), forgery, perjury, misdemeanor reckless driving, and misdemeanor driving revoked upon the condition she completes the Women’s Diversion program. On Oct. 19, Carter accepted a plea deal and entered Alford pleas of guilty to the aforementioned charges where she signed her sister’s name on a summons after being pulled over.

–Mason Andrew Hudson, 23, of the 7600 block of Cheshire Road, Richmond, accepted a plea deal and entered a guilty plea to a single count of possession of a controlled substance (morphine). In a summary of evidence, last Aug. 14, Hudson was on the property of his father’s home in the Rockahock Campground where he was barred. The father advised detectives about possible drugs in his house and a subsequent search revealed syringes that had traces of morphine in them. Under the agreement, Hudson received a five-year jail sentence with all but three months suspended upon the condition he completes a rehabilitation program.

— Howard Keith Jones, 48, of the 6000 block of Golden Wheel Road, Providence Forge, was sentenced on one count each of DUI (third offense) and driving revoked-felony endangerment. Jones accepted a plea deal during an earlier trial. He received a five-year sentence with all but three months suspended on the DUI conviction, and all five years on the driving revoked conviction were suspended upon condition to complete the Detention and Diversion program. He must also pay a $1,000 fine.

–Roger Lee Little Jr., 46, of the 3200 block of Mattaponi Ave., West Point, entered guilty pleas to one count each of felony eluding police, driving as a habitual offense (second or subsequent offense), and misdemeanor DUI as part of a plea agreement. In a summary of evidence, last June 21, a Virginia State Trooper received a be-on-the-lookout car for a vehicle driving erratically on Interstate 64. Once the trooper located the vehicle, the defendant fled, leading the officer on a 25-mile chase that lasted 35 minutes before being stopped by other troopers. Little failed a field sobriety test and a review of his record revealed he was a habitual offender. Under the plea agreement, he will serve one year each on the felony charges, with four years suspended on each. Six months on the misdemeanor DUI were suspended, but he must pay a $250 fine.