Joyride to New Kent County not pleasant for Florida man, sentenced to two months in jail

A Florida man who took a joyride with a vehicle in New Kent County will spend the next two months incarcerated.

Michael James Podway, 42, of the 100 block of W. Hidden Valley Drive, Boca Raton, entered guilty pleas to none count each of unauthorized use of a vehicle and misdemeanor tampering with a vehicle during Monday afternoon proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court.

In a summary of evidence provided by Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Greg Overholser, on July 18 a New Kent deputy responded to a call for service at Jasper Transmissions on Emmaus Church Road (Route 106) after a suspicious vehicle was spotted around 10:15 p.m. Upon arriving, the deputy approached a car to find the defendant laying in the vehicle.

Earlier in the day, another New Kent deputy had received information about a missing vehicle from Priority Lexus in Virginia Beach. That vehicle was located at the Love’s Truck Stop near Jasper’s Transmissions. When Podway was questioned if he had knowledge about the situation, he admitted to driving the car from Virginia Beach to New Kent. He was subsequently arrested on the aforementioned charges.

Under the agreement, Podway received a five-year jail sentence with four years, 10 months suspended (two months to serve) on the unauthorized use of a vehicle conviction. All 12 months on the misdemeanor tampering with a vehicle were suspended.

In other cases conducted in New Kent Circuit Court:

–Zachary Cullen Brown, 24, of the 4500 block of Union Grove Road, Richmond, accepted a plea deal to one count each of shooting a firearm from a vehicle, misdemeanor destruction of property, and misdemeanor DUI (first offense).

In a summary of evidence, on Apr. 3 just after midnight, a New Kent deputy pulled over a vehicle for speeding 76 miles per hour in a 45 miles per hour zone. When the officer approached the driver, later identified as Brown, he noticed the odor of alcohol and signs of possible impairment. Along with those signs, the deputy also saw a weapon on the passenger’s side seat with shell casings.

Earlier in the night, it was reported that a party taking place on New Kent Highway resulted in gunshots being fired. According to the investigation, an argument had taken place with Brown and another party, resulting him leaving. As the defendant left, he discharged his firearm, shooting the firearm in the air, with some of the bullets coming down and damaging the windshield of a vehicle belonging to W.W. Enroughty and Son Inc.

Brown was questioned by the officer at the scene of the stop if he had any knowledge of the incident, where the defendant confessed to committing the crime. The defendant was arrested and taken into custody shortly afterwards.

Under the agreement, Brown received a five-year sentence with all but one day suspended. (Brown had served 47 days incarcerated awaiting trial). All 12 months on the misdemeanor destruction of property and misdemeanor DUI were suspended, but the defendant must pay $350 in restitution along with a $250 fine.

–Jacob William Carr, 24, of the 5500 block of Ashland Farm Road, Quinton, entered a guilty plea to an amended charge of misdemeanor contributing to the delinquency of a minor (originally felony child abuse). One charge of malicious wounding was dropped.

In a summary of evidence, in late 2020, New Kent Sheriff’s Office was contacted after a minor had indicated that they were injured in October 2019. The child broke their leg, but there was no indication on how the accident took place or how it happened. An investigation resulted in Carr as the individual being responsible for supervising the child at the time of the incident.

Under the plea agreement, Carr received a 12-month sentence with all but 15 days suspended.

–Tabitha Ann Deal, 34, of the 9500 block of Proctors Road, Richmond, had one charge of possession of a Schedule I/II substance (methamphetamine) dismissed after successfully completing the First Offender’s Program.