Lancaster man handed three years for possession of illegal drugs, gun in New Kent

A Lancaster man who eluded a Virginia State Trooper during a chase in New Kent County will spend the next three years in prison after entering a no contest plea as part of Monday proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court.

Ralph Antonio Waller Jr., 22, of the 100 block of Reynolds Farm Road, entered no contest pleas to one count each of assault and battery on a law enforcement officer, possession of a Schedule I/II substance with intent to distribute, possession of a gun while in possession of a Schedule I/II substance, and felony eluding of police as part of a plea agreement reached during the trial. One charge of felony resisting arrest was dropped as part of the deal. A no contest plea indicates that evidence presented by the prosecution in the trial would be enough to convict the defendant of the offenses.

In a summary of evidence by New Kent Commonwealth Attorney Scott Renick, on Apr. 5, a Virginia State Trooper monitoring traffic on Interstate 64 noticed a Sedan with its flashers on tailgating another vehicle. When the officer pulled out and attempted to initiate a traffic stop, the Sedan took off, with the driver attempting to elude the officer by driving on the shoulder of the road.

Once the vehicle came to a stop, the driver bailed on foot into the nearby woods with the officer giving chase. At one point during the foot pursuit, the driver turned around and pointed a revolver at the trooper. The trooper and suspect got into a physical altercation, with the officer eventually gaining control of the fight and arresting the driver, who was identified as Waller. When the trooper searched the Sedan, a black box was discovered with a substance in a plastic bag. That substance was determined to be methamphetamine after being tested at a lab, thus resulting in the possession charge.

Under the plea agreement, Waller received a five-year sentence with three years suspended (two years to serve, all which is mandatory time) on the possession of a gun while in possession of a Schedule I/II substance. He will also serve one year of active time on the assault and battery on a law enforcement officer conviction (with six of those months being the mandatory minimum), with the other four years on the charge suspended. Twenty years on the possession of a Schedule I/II drug with intent to distribute and all five years on the felony eluding charge were suspended. He must also pa a total of $2,000 in fines.

In other circuit court matters:

–Brandon Lee Able, 33, of the 2200 block of Landing Road, Providence Forge, entered a no contest plea to a lone count of making a bomb or burn threat.

In a summary of evidence, Able had gotten into an argument with Robert Hatfield after a night of drinking. During that argument, Able had indicated to Hatfield that he would “burn their house down.” Hatfield notified authorities of the threat and Able was arrested on the charge.

Under the agreement, Able received a five-year sentence with four years suspended (one year to serve). He must also pay a fine of $500.

–Michael Anthony Johnson, 50, of Fredericksburg, entered a guilty plea to a single count of strangulation as part of a plea deal. One charge of misdemeanor assault and battery was dropped.

In a summary of evidence, on Sept. 5, 2021, a New Kent Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to a call for service at a residence on Poplar Road within the county. Upon arriving there, the victim said that Johnson had gotten into a physical altercation with each other after objects were thrown across the room. The victim said that Johnson placed one hand around their neck and then came back and placed both hands around their neck before letting go. An investigation along with an analysis by medical personal at the doctor’s office depicted signs of strangulation, with medical staff citing redness caused by broken blood vessels.

Under the agreement, formal sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 14 as the defendant will have to make restitution for damages. Sentencing guidelines call for probation.

–Jordan Rucker Webb, 37, of the 100 block of Courtney Road, Lancaster, entered a guilty plea to an amended charge of possession of a Schedule III drug (originally Schedule I/II drug) and pled guilty to misdemeanor DUI (first offense) as part of an agreement.

In a summary of evidence, on Jan. 30, a New Kent deputy clocked a vehicle traveling 81 miles per hour in a posted 55 miles per hour zone on Route 33 (Eltham Road). After a traffic stop was initiated, the officer detected a strong odor of alcohol on the driver, now identified as Webb. The defendant admitted he had three glasses of wine prior to him getting behind the wheel. The office initiated a field sobriety test, with Webb performing poorly. A subsequent breathalyzer test resulted in the defendant blowing a .14, nearly twice the legal limit. He was arrest on the DUI charge and a subsequent search of his vehicle resulted in the discovery of a small plastic bag with an illegal drug.

Under the plea agreement, Webb received a 12-month sentence with eight months suspended (four months to serve) on the misdemeanor DUI conviction. All 12 months on the misdemeanor possession of a Schedule III drug were suspended. He must also pay a total of $1,500 in fines.