Lanexa man receives 35 years for murder of New Kent businessman

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A Lanexa man who broke into the residence of a well-known and beloved New Kent businessman will spend the next 35 years in prison for murder.

Michael Anthony Jenkins, 40, of the 15000 block of Pocahontas Trail, learned his fate during Monday afternoon proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court.

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-force 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 and checks from the victim, later identified as Elmer Lee Stewart.

During a separate investigation conducted by James City County, it was discovered that checks belonging to Stewart were fraudulently being used by someone, later identified to be Jenkins. With a warrant coincidentally issued out of James City County on that charge, officers went to Jenkins’ residence, which happened to be on property owned by Stewart. During that investigation, a detective asked Jenkins if he knew anything about what had happened to Stewart. Feeling that he was caught on camera during the break in, Jenkins confessed to the murder.

A 22-minute interview video with Jenkins’ admission played during his sentencing trial. On that video, Jenkins detailed how he canvassed the area and knew Stewart carried a wad of money around in his wallet. He continued, saying that he knocked on the door and lied about his electricity going out at his home and it needed to be turned on.

“When he turned his back, that’s when I hit him with the hammer,” Jenkins said on the video. “But when he was on the ground, he was moving still, so I hit him again.”

Jenkins believed Stewart was reaching for the gun. Panicked, he hit the victim again and took the guns. But when continuous groans came from the victim, he hit him three more times.

“I was fearful of my life,” Jenkins said on the video. “I didn’t know what to do.”

Jenkins took $695, two handguns, and checks from Stewart. Jenkins returned home that night and hid the hammer in a secure place under his trailer. But the images in his head were too haunting according to his video confession. When officers arrived with a warrant out of James City County, he confessed to the New Kent crime. Warrants were then obtained for the New Kent offenses, and Jenkins were taken into custody on them as well.

New Kent County Commonwealth Attorney T. Scott Renick lobbied for severe punishment, asking for 80 years, well over the recommended 34 years according to sentencing guidelines.

“This man had a plan to rob Mr. Stewart,” Renick argued during sentencing. “He could have just hit him once and then left. But he continued to hit him. He could have stopped at any time.

“He had a plan,” Renick continued, pointing to Jenkins’ surveillance of Stewart. “But he kept going and hit Mr. Stewart several times. Mr. Stewart probably could have survived after the third, fourth, or even fifth hit, but he just kept going. I’m asking for 40 years on the murder, 20 years with 10 years suspended on each the firearm larceny charges, 10 years on the grand larceny, five years on the breaking and entering, and five years on the possession of a firearm by a felon.”

Jenkins elected to read a statement prior to his sentencing.

“I’m sorry for the crimes that I committed, but I know it’s not enough,” he said. “Not only did I hurt one family, I hurt mine as well.

“I have to live with this for the rest of my life,” Jenkins continued. “Today, I am sorry for the crimes I committed and truly wish that God and the judge has mercy on my soul.”

Judge Charles Ricketts said the case was a very difficult one.

“This situation had consequences not just for Mr. Jenkins, but for his family and the Stewart family,” the judge said. “The video is compelling. This man left his house with intent to do this violent act with a hammer and he hit him (Stewart).

“He could have grabbed what he wanted to and left,” Ricketts continued. “But he continued to hit him until he was dead. I am at a lost. But as I watch the video here and he is eating a sandwich telling this gruesome story and I just don’t see any remorse.”

Jenkins received a 40-year sentence with all but 10 years suspended (30 years to serve). He received an additional five years to serve on the possession of a firearm by a nonviolent felon conviction. All 20 years on each of the two charges of firearm larceny, and on one charge each of grand larceny and breaking and entering were suspended.

In other circuit court proceedings:

–Christopher Erhan Cuttrell, 28, of the 8300 block of Brown Avenue, Sandston, entered a straight guilty plea to possession of a Schedule I/II substance.

In a summary of evidence, on July 20, 2021, a New Kent deputy and detective noticed Cuttrell and another individual they were familiar with talking in front of Antonio’s Pizza in Chesapeake Circle. When the officers noticed visible evidence of possible drug use, Cuttrell took off, tossing items from his pocket. The defendant was eventually caught, and the items recovered were tested. Fentanyl was determined to be the substance discovered on one of the syringes.

Cuttrell received a five-year sentence with all but one month suspended for the offense. Cuttrell received a sentence lower than the recommended guidelines due to his current sobriety from using illegal substances and the ability to maintain employment since he was released from incarceration back in November 2021.

–Misty Nicole Jenkins, 45, of the 15000 block of Pocahontas Trail, received formal sentencing on three counts of firearm larceny. During a Nov. 2021 trial, Jenkins entered no contest pleas to the crimes, stipulating that evidence presented would be enough to convict her. At that trial, evidence showed that Jenkins along with her husband, Michael Jenkins, took a Taurus .22 caliber, a Taurus .45 caliber, and a Ruger LCP .380 belonging to Steven Taylor.

Jenkins received a 20-year sentence with 19 years, six months suspended on the first count of firearm larceny (six months to serve). Twenty years on each of the remaining two charges were suspended.