Selling firearm to informant results in two-year jail term for Charles City man
A Charles City man will serve two years in jail after entering into a plea agreement as part of Monday afternoon proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court.
Montray Keondre Robinson, 24, of the 8900 block of Ruthville Road, entered an Alford plea of guilt to an amended charge of possession of a firearm by a nonviolent felon (originally possession of a firearm by a violent felon). An Alford plea of guilt means that while the defendant maintains his innocence, evidence presented by the prosecution would be enough to convict him of the crime.
In a summary of evidence, on Jan. 26, 2017, the Twin Rivers Task Force was conducting controlled drug and firearm buys from targets. A confidential informant met Robinson for a buy, purchasing a Remington 700 rifle and ammunition. Robinson was not allowed to own a firearm due to having a felony as a juvenile.
Under the plea deal, the defendant received a five-year sentence with three years suspended. The two years to serve is mandatory time under state law. He must also pay restitution to the Virginia State Police in the amount of $250.
In other Monday afternoon court proceedings:
–Kristen Paige Baumgardner, 21, of the 5700 block of Emmaus Church Road, received formal sentencing as the result of entering a guilty plea during a Nov. 13, 2017 trial. At that trial, Baumgardner admitted to stealing money from the safe belonging to Garrett and Ellen Ross. The defendant was a caretaker for the victims’ children when she committed the crimes.
Baumgardner was sentenced to 10 years in jail with all but three months suspended. She must also pay restitution in the amount of $4,000.
–Dustin Lee Grimes, 32, of the 8200 block of Fort Myres Road, Mechanicsville, entered a guilty plea to a single count of credit card larceny as part of a plea deal.
In a summary of evidence, on Sept. 20, 2017, New Kent Deputy Wyatt Johnston responded to the home of Jane Elizabeth Adkins regarding money, blank checks, and cash taken from her home. Adkins told the officer that she had hired Grimes to do some construction work on the home and that she had paid him $650 to do so in August. After three days, Grimes left due to an alleged family emergency and returned in September to complete the work. However, Grimes and an accompanying woman spoke with Adkins, asking about the victim’s home entertainment system. As Adkins took them to view the room, Grimes excused himself to get his work equipment from his truck. A couple of hours later, the woman accompanying Grimes left with him to get lunch. The two left and never returned to Adkins’ home. It was discovered during an investigation that Grimes used the victim’s credit card at the Pit Stop on Courthouse Road and attempted to make other purchases as well with the card. The bank notified Adkins, who had made copies of the defendant’s information prior to his work on her home.
Under the plea agreement, Grimes received a 20-year jail sentence with 18 years, one month suspended (one year, 11 months to serve). He must also pay restitution in the amount of $833.
–Kai Pan, 35, of the 2000 block of West Broad Street, Richmond, entered not guilty pleas to one count each of forgery of a public record, identity theft (second offense), and uttering, but stipulated the evidence would be enough to convict him of the offenses.
In a summary of evidence, on Aug. 3, 2017, Virginia State Trooper Caleb Niese pulled over an SUV towing a trailer with no headlights traveling westbound on Interstate 64. When he approached the driver, later identified as Pan, the driver said he could not locate his driver’s license. The trooper was given the name “Bin Lin” and his social security number. After running the information, it was discovered that Lin’s photo did not match the driver of the vehicle. Niese pulled the registration information and ran the information of the vehicle, resulting in Pan’s image appearing. The trooper gave Pan a summons for defective equipment and warned him about consequences of falsifying information on the document. Pan signed under the “Bin Lin” moniker and was arrested shortly afterwards. A background check revealed Pan had previously committed a similar crime. When asked by Niese why he lied on the summons, the defendant said he thought his license was suspended. However, Pan’s driving credentials were up to date.
No formal finding has been rendered as a presentence report is being prepared for review. Formal sentencing is scheduled for Mar. 19.
–Deanna Rufina Rebecca Scott, 23, of the 1700 block of Hickory Street, Apt. B, Richmond, entered a not guilty plea to an amended charge of misdemeanor possession of marijuana (less than one-half ounce) but stipulated the evidence would be sufficient enough to convict her.
In a summary of evidence, Scott was pulled over for speeding when the officer detected the scent of marijuana. A search of the defendant’s vehicle revealed the discovery of the substance.
No formal finding was rendered as the Scott will enter the first offender program. If she is successful in completing the program, the charge will be dismissed. However, if she does not meet the requirements of the program, she will receive a 12-month sentence with 10 months suspended (two months to serve).