Three accept plea deals as part of New Kent Circuit Court proceedings

Three individuals entered into plea agreements as part of proceedings held Monday in New Kent Circuit Court:

–Adolphus Wallace, 58, of the 11000 block of Canora Lane, Providence Forge, entered a guilty plea to one count of credit card theft. One count of misdemeanor credit card fraud was dropped as part of the plea deal.

In a summary of evidence, Ricky Lee Testerman left his debit card by accident on the counter of a local hardware store on July 5. He later returned and discovered it was missing. Testerman checked his bank account and noticed unauthorized charges to his card were made at a nearby gas station. Security footage showed Wallace using the card at the time and the transaction coincided with the video. Wallace was questioned and admitted to taking the card without permission.

Under the plea agreement, Wallace was sentenced to five years in jail with all time suspended. He must pay $346 in restitution to the victim and the victim’s bank.

–John Steven Wilkinson, 58, of Highland Springs, pled guilty to an amended charge of misdemeanor threatening to commit an illegal act through the use of a telephone (originally making a bomb threat).

In a summary of evidence, New Kent Sheriff’s Office received a call on Sept. 16 from New Kent Social Services office that the defendant had made a threat to commit a violent act to damage the building. A subsequent investigation revealed the defendant was agitated at the time due to not receiving proper medication. Wilkinson admitted he did call the department but did not recall what was said during the altercation.

Under the agreement, Wilkinson received a 12-month sentence with all time suspended.

–Traci Lynn Winkle, 29, of Charles City, pled guilty to one count each of possession of methadone, misdemeanor DUI (first offense), misdemeanor driving revoked, and an amended charge of misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia (originally misdemeanor possession of marijuana). One charge of possession of cocaine was dropped as part of the plea agreement.

In a summary of evidence, on Aug. 22, New Kent deputy Joey McLaughlin received a be-on-the-lookout for a truck driving erratically on Route 60. The deputy located the vehicle and noticed it swerving from lane to lane as well as changing speeds at an irregular pace. After initiating a traffic stop, the detective smelled the odor of marijuana emitting from the vehicle. A background search on Winkle’s license revealed her license was suspended and a warrant for her arrest out of a neighboring jurisdiction. The defendant was arrested and a subsequent search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of a pill bottle containing methadone pills.

Under the agreement, no formal finding was rendered but sentencing guidelines recommended a range of one day to three months to serve. A presentence report is being prepared with formal sentencing scheduled for February.