Lanexa man enters guilty plea to murder of New Kent businessman
Michael Anthony Jenkins
What started off as a robbery attempt of a well-known New Kent businessman has resulted in a Lanexa man a guilty plea to second degree murder.
Michael Anthony Jenkins, 40, of the 15000 block of Pocahontas Trail, entered the plea during Monday morning proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court as part of a plea agreement. Jenkins also entered straight guilty pleas to two counts of firearm larceny, and one count each of grand larceny, breaking and entering, and possession of a firearm by a nonviolent convicted felon.
In a summary of evidence provided by New Kent Commonwealth Attorney Scott Renick, on Dec. 4, 2019, New Kent Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence on Carter Road. Upon entering the home, they discovered a body that appeared to have blunt-forced trauma to the back of the head. After obtaining a warrant to search the home, it was discovered that firearms were missing, as well as a wallet from the victim, later identified as Elmer Lee Stewart.
During the investigation, it was discovered that checks belonging to Stewart were fraudulently being used by someone, later identified to be Jenkins. When Jenkins was questioned about the case, he confessed to the crime.
Jenkins said that he had lied to Stewart to gain access to his home. Once inside, Jenkins struck the victim with a hammer and proceeded to take items that included $695 in currency and handguns. In the video confession, Jenkins said that every time Stewart tried to get up, he swung the hammer and hit the victim again. Jenkins left the home and Stewart lying on the floor. An autopsy confirmed that the victim died of blunt-force trauma.
A presentence report is being prepared as part of the agreement. Jenkins faces a maximum of 125 years in prison. Formal sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 12, 2022.
In other circuit court proceedings:
–Joshua Louis Cash, 33, of the 5800 block of Darbytown Road, Richmond, entered guilty pleas to one count each of possession of ammunition by a convicted felon and misdemeanor disobeying a court order.
In a summary of evidence, on Jan. 21 a New Kent deputy noticed a vehicle with an expired inspection sticker. When the officer ran a background check on the license plate, it revealed that the registration of the plate did not belong to the vehicle that it was on. The officer executed a traffic stop and identified Cash as the driver. When the deputy noticed smoking devices for marijuana, a search of the vehicle was conducted, resulting in the discovery of a firearm and ammunition belonging to it. Cash said that the weapon did not belong to him as his cousin often used his vehicle, thus prompting only the possession of ammunition charge. Cash is a felon and by law is not allowed to have ammunition or a weapon on him of any kind.
Cash received a five-year jail sentence with four years, five months suspended (seven months to serve). All ten days for disobeying a court order were suspended.
–David S. Dahlmann, 44, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pled guilty to a single count of possession of a Schedule I/II drug (cocaine) as part of a plea agreement.
In a summary of evidence, on Apr. 29 an employee of Love’s Travel Center contacted the sheriff’s office about suspicious activity taking place in the restroom. When officers arrived, they discovered two men exiting the bathroom. The employee advised the deputies that they had been in the bathroom for an extended period of time and the men were questioned. When an officer questioned one of the men, identified as Dahlmann, if he used drugs, he denied it at first but later said he was involved in it. After receiving consent to search the defendant, an officer discovered a black pouch that had a hypodermic needle inside of it. The needle was tested, and a substance identified as cocaine was located on it, with a lab test confirming the illegal drug. Dahlmann was taken into custody on the charge.
Under the agreement, Dahlmann received a two-year jail sentence with all time suspended. He will remain on probation for three years.