North Chesterfield man enters guilty plea in connection to drug distribution charge in New Kent

Laney

A North Chesterfield man has entered a guilty plea to distribution of a Schedule I/II (third offense) as part of a plea agreement reached Monday afternoon in New Kent Circuit Court.

Eric Marvin Laney, 44, of the 99 block of Jean Road, entered into the agreement that saw two charges of the same offense dropped. Laney was also previously charged with second-degree murder in the death of Samantha Nicole Rigdon, but that charge was dropped on Feb. 8. As part of the plea deal, the murder charge and two counts of distribution of a Schedule I/II drug will not be prosecuted again.

In a summary of evidence, on Jan. 28, 2019 around 6:30 p.m., New Kent Sheriff’s Office and New Kent Fire and EMS responded to a residence and found Rigdon unconscious. Despite attempts to revive her, Rigdon was pronounced dead at the scene.

Detectives recovered a lottery ticket with substances on it, later identified as heroin and Fentanyl. In June 2019, information found in a social media messenger detailed conversations Rigdon had with Laney. Laney was arrested in Dec. 2019 and admitted to providing the drugs to Rigdon during a television interview. A background examination revealed that this is third offense in distributing a drug, which carries mandatory minimum time to serve in prison.

Under the plea agreement, a presentence report is being prepared with formal sentencing scheduled for July 19. As part of the agreement, an argument to reduce the charge to being an accommodation to the distribution of a Schedule I/II drug will be made by Laney’s defense team. However, if Laney is found guilty of the original charge, he will spend at least the mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison, with the Commonwealth’s attorney not recommending more than 25 years to serve.

In other circuit court matters:

–Brandon Alexander Black, 30, of the 3700 block of Quinton Road, Quinton, entered an Alford Plea of guilt to one count each of abduction, strangulation, and misdemeanor assault and battery. One additional charge each of abduction, strangulation, and misdemeanor assault and battery were dropped as part of the agreement. An Alford Plea of guilt means that while the defendant maintains his innocence, evidence presented in the trial would be enough to convict him of the offense.

In a summary of events, on Aug. 15, 2020, Black and the victim began arguing when the victim decided they wanted to leave. Black denied the victim the ability, blocking the door and shoved the victim to the ground. The defendant also grabbed the victim by the neck, leaving two bruise marks. Black held the victim hostage until the next morning.

Under the agreement, Black received a five-year sentence with three years, two months suspended (one year, ten months to serve) on the strangulation conviction. All 10 years on the abduction conviction and all 12 months on the misdemeanor assault and battery conviction were suspended.

–Kelly Randall Cage, 59 of the 4300 block of Perks Lane, Charles City entered a no contest plea to an amended charge of misdemeanor disorderly conduct (originally possession of a gun by a nonviolent felon) as part of a plea deal.

In a summary of evidence, Cage had loaned his vehicle to an individual to use. On Sept. 20, 2020, Cage was the passenger in his own vehicle when he heard something moving around under his seat. When he looked down, he saw a gun sliding around the floorboard. When he picked it up and attempted to remove the bullets, it discharged accidently and struck the driver. The two individuals went to VCU’s Emergency Center in New Kent where authorities met the defendant. Cage told officers he never handled a gun before and that the weapon did not belong to him.

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

–Britany Anne Crowell, 30, of the 7600 block of Lakeshore Drive, Quinton enter a guilty plea to an amended charge to misdemeanor assault (originally making a bomb/burn threat).

In a summary of evidence, on Aug. 14, 2020, a New Kent deputy responded to a call for service about an altercation near Airport Road. When the deputy responded, they passed a white jeep on the side of the road and made contact with the driver, later identified as Crowell. During the conversation, Crowell admitted that a verbal confrontation took place with the victim and that she committed the offense.

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