Former Cumberland Hospital employee pleads no contest to amended charge of unlawful wounding

A former employee of Cumberland Hospital in New Kent entered a no contest plea as part of an agreement reached during Monday afternoon proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court.

Stacey Burrell, 57, of King William, entered a no contest to an amended charge of unlawful wounding (originally charged with malicious wounding). A no contest plea means that evidence presented in the case would be enough to convict the defendant of the crime.

In a summary of evidence, on Sept. 14, 2019, Virginia State Police began an investigation of Cumberland Hospital in New Kent. Around that time, surveillance footage showed Burrell caring for the victim at the time. The victim did not want to go to bed, resulting in Burrell taking the victim to the bathroom. About one-and-a-half minutes later, Burrell and the victim emerged from the bathroom, with the victim having red marks on their body. The victim was redressed, and the defendant completed her rounds.

Virginia State Police responded to the hospital after the allegations were made. According to the summary, Burrell made up several stories on how the victim received the mark. But the investigation showed that the hot shower was not the cause of the red marks. Burrell was indicted by a multijurisdictional grand jury in July of this year.

Burrell’s defense attorney, Paul Galanides, commented that Burrell’s recount of events was that she had a cup of hot water and that the victim sustained it while in the bathroom. He emphasized that Burrell acknowledged that an injury had occurred, but no intent was behind it, resulting in the reduction of the charge to unlawful wounding.

A presentence report is being prepared on the matter, with Burrell facing up to five years in prison. Formal sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 20.

In other circuit court matters:

–Sibylla Hope Coles, 49, of the 7200 block of Little Creek Dam Road, Toano, entered a guilty plea to amended charges of possession of drug paraphernalia (originally possession of a controlled substance) and misdemeanor failure to appear (originally felony failure to appear).

In a summary of evidence, on Mar. 26, 2015, a New Kent deputy responded to Plum Point Road when the homeowner said there was a vehicle on their yard that they did not recognize. When the officer arrived, Coles said that they were related to the homeowner, and they were parked on family property. As the deputy continued the interview, a pipe fell out of the pocket of the defendant and was later determined to be used for illegal drug use. The defendant was arrested on the charge and failed to appear for court on her designated day.

Under the agreement, Coles received a $250 fine for the possession of drug paraphernalia. She will serve a 10-day sentence on the failure to appear conviction.

–Steve M. Johnson, 61, of the 6400 block of Continental Can Road, Providence Forge, entered a guilty plea to an amended charge of aggravated sexual battery (originally forcible sodomy) during an Oct. 22 hearing. One charge of felony child abuse was dropped as part of the agreement.

In a summary of evidence, on Feb. 15, two juveniles were in the residence of Johnson when he offered them alcohol. When one of the victims went to the restroom and returned, they noticed Johnson committing inappropriate acts with the other juvenile. The juveniles were able to escape and reported the act to authorities, leading to Johnson’s subsequent arrest.

Under the plea agreement, Johnson received a 20-year prison sentence with 17 years suspended. He must also register on the sexual offender national registry.

–John Paul Penuel, 42, of the 100 block of East Jerald Street, Sandston, entered guilty pleas to one count of grand larceny and an amended charge of misdemeanor failure to appear (originally felony failure to appear) as part of a plea agreement.

In a summary of evidence, on Feb. 12, a New Kent deputy saw the defendant driving a truck that was pulling out of a residence with vinyl siding and a fiberglass ladder with a company logo on it. After the deputy initiated a traffic stop, he later contacted the company, Baker Homes, and asked the owner about the materials. The owner indicated that materials had been delivered the day before and that eight boxes were missing the next day. The deputy used information from the traffic stop and located Penuel, placing him under arrest. The misdemeanor failure to appear conviction stemmed from the defendant not appearing in New Kent General District Court.

Under the plea deal, Penuel received a 10-year jail sentence with eight years, three months suspended (one year, nine months to serve). All 12 months on the failure to appear were suspended, but he must also pay $1,119.44 in restitution.

–Christopher Wilson Rickman, 51, of the 200 block of Naglee Avenue, Sandston, was formally convicted on one count each of possession of a controlled substance and misdemeanor disobeying a court order. During a June 2020 trial, Rickman entered into a plea agreement that placed him in the First Offender Program. However, Rickman failed to complete any of the program or pay his court costs. In addition, he tested positive for cocaine and his bond was revoked.

A presentence report is being prepared on Rickman with formal sentencing scheduled for Dec. 20.

–Christie Wooten Trisler, 50, of the 7400 block of General Puller Highway, Topping, received a formal sentence of six months in jail.

During an Aug. 16 trial, Trisler entered a straight guilty plea to one count of embezzlement. The defendant admitted taking cash and cigarettes while employed at the Circle K convenience store in New Kent.

Trisler received a 10-year jail sentence with nine years, six months suspended (six months to serve). She must also pay restitution in the amount of $1,612 for what she stole.