Briefly… for June 6-19, 2013

Heavy traffic expected for CC event

Charles City Sheriff’s Office is issuing a traffic alert for June 8-9 when thousands of people are expected descend on Berkeley Plantation for Tough Mudder, which features hard-core, 10-12 mile obstacle courses designed by British Special Forces to test all-around strength, stamina, mental grit, and camaraderie.

With the most innovative courses, 1 million inspiring participants worldwide to date, and more than $5 million raised for the Wounded Warrior Project, Tough Mudder is labeled the premier adventure challenge series in the world. Motorists are urged to avoid the area of Route 5 at Berkeley Plantation. Saturday’s event is scheduled for 7 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday’s event is 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Charles City bridge closed until 2014

A Charles City bridge will be unusable until next year after a discovery of advanced corrosion during a Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) May 23 inspection.

Route 618 (Adkins Road) bridge at the border of Charles City and New Kent counties, will be closed to all traffic until Spring 2014.

According to VDOT residency administrator Mike Cade, an emergency contract is being initiated for the bridge’s replacement. Cade said the entire superstructure will be replaced with a new deck and railings. He also commented that prohibiting traffic will insure the process is completed as soon as possible.

Drivers are instructed to use Route 155 (S. Courthouse Road), Route 106 (Roxbury Road), and Route 60 (Pocahontas Trail) as alternative routes. Detour signs have been implemented for the 11-mile detour.

An inspection of the bridge conducted in August 2011 found it to be in fair condition. The recent more in-depth inspection revealed hidden corrosion that can only be detected through a thorough investigation.

VDOT inspects each bridge in the state in two-year cycles.

Bodies recovered from James River

Charles City County’s sheriff office recovered two bodies from the James River in less than a week.

Captain Jayson Crawley said shortly before noon on May 11, a body washed ashore under a pier at a private residence at Wilcox Wharf. When deputies arrived, the only noticeable identification consisted of a tattoo on the chest of the male’s body. The cause of death has yet to be determined as the body is currently being tested for DNA.

On May 15, the sheriff’s office received a call just before 2:00 p.m. from an off-duty police officer who discovered a body in the Weyanoke Creek vicinity.

After an investigation, the sheriff’s office identified the victim as Alfonzo White, 68, of the 1800 block of T Street, Richmond.

According to Crawley, White lived in transitional homes in Richmond and was often seen riding a red bicycle. Witnesses told Crawley that they saw a man fitting White’s description pushing a bicycle near Sandy Fields Farm on the morning of May 11. An autopsy revealed White’s death as a massive heart attack stemming from a previous medical condition. Crawley concluded saying he believes White fell into the creek after he had the attack.

Colonial Downs season begins June 8

Colonial Downs will usher in its 17th season of thoroughbred racing on Saturday, June 8, in conjunction with the Belmont Stakes.

Opening nigh will feature the $50,000 “Zeke” Ferguson Memorial steeplechase. Other premiere races include the Colonial Turf Cup on June 22, and the $500,000 Virginia Derby on July 13.

Track races will be Wednesday-Saturday evenings at 6 p.m. and Sunday afternoons beginning at 12:55 p.m. General admission is $3, with kids 12 and under free.

NK trio arrested in drug take down

Three Quinton women now face felony distribution and conspiracy charges after authorities received notification of suspicious activity.

Karen Collier Haboush, 50, of 7020 Old Roxbury Road, Emily Midgett, 32, of 1701 Arrowhead Road, and Melissa Perkins, 43, of 1730 Arrowhead Road, were arrested by Lt. Joey McLaughlin on May 23. Haboush faces five counts each of conspiracy and distribution of a controlled substance (hydrocodone). Midgett faces four counts each of conspiracy and distribution, and Perkins faces two counts each on conspiracy and distribution of a controlled substance (hydrocodone). The trio was being held without bond.

In an unrelated case, Dakota Strongwolf Hogge, 19, is charged with one count of malicious wounding.

Deputy Kris Burnette arrested Hogge, of 4557 Wahrani Ridge Road, in relation to an incident on May 23. Hogge is accused of assaulting a 20-year old Quinton man, resulting in injuries to the victim. The alleged incident is over a domestic situation.

Several more individuals were taken into custody last weekend:

Victoria Rose Fessman, 21, of 16417 The Glebe Lane, Charles City, was arrested by Capt. Chris Hamlet under one charge of intimidating a potential witness. Fessman allegedly made verbal and written threats to the witness in a domestic related incident.

Steven C. Huff was taken into custody by Deputy Wyatt Johnston after Ohio authorities alerted New Kent Sheriff’s Office of his possible whereabouts in the county. Huff, 40, of 724 Hudson Avenue, Akron, Ohio, is charged with being a fugitive from justice, felony escape, failure to pay child support, and possession of an aggravated narcotic. The charges allegedly stem from incidents in Ohio. He was being held without bond.

Megan Renee Wyatt, 32, of 5501 Olivet Church Road, Providence Forge, was arrested for allegedly obtaining drugs by false pretenses (two counts) and possession of a controlled substance. Police say Wyatt signed her husband’s name on two separate occasions to obtain narcotics without having authorization. She was arrested on May 30.

Sheriff’s deputies arrested Jerico Asaad Leggett, 21, of 808 Roberto Drive, Newport News, after he allegedly resisted arrest during a traffic stop for reckless driving on Interstate 64. He is also charged with having a capias from Newport News and driving on a suspended license.

Plea deal reached in copper theft in CC

A Charles City man who stole copper from a residence on Old Union Road accepted a plea deal during May 24 proceedings in Charles City Circuit Court.

Dallas Leno Wallace Jr., 44, of 7840 Lewis Tyler Lane, admitted guilt to one count each of grand larceny and intent to sell stolen property. One charge of burglary was dropped.

In a summary of evidence presented by Commonwealth’s attorney Rob Tyler, a local sheriff’s deputy responded to the residence of Steve Blount being rented out by Heaven Duncan. Upon inspecting the grounds, the deputy detected copper had been snipped from pipes underneath the home. The deputy recovered a cigarette butt under the residence and DNA from it linked Wallace to the crime. Wallace is scheduled to be sentenced after a presentencing report is prepared.

In other matters addressed in Charles City Circuit Court:

–Kenneth Alton Charity, 44, of 9400 Stagg Run Road, Charles City, received a six-month active sentence for failing to register as a sex offender (third offense). Four and a half-years of time were suspended. Charity admitted he missed the deadline and did not make an attempt to contact authorities after failing to meet it. He also received an additional six months for a probation violation stemming from similar convictions.

–Betsie Branham Pierotti, 43, of 2020 CC Road, Charles City, received no active time on one count of felony elusion.

Pierotti accepted a plea deal last October from the commonwealth stemming from a June 22 pursuit. During the chase, Pierotti, who was riding a motorcycle at the time, eluded two state troopers after she failed to stop for a speeding violation. Under the agreement, no active jail time would be pursued if she completed 100 hours of community service due to her clean driving record. Pierotti, however, received a $1,000 fine and a three-month suspension of her driver’s license.