Yorktown man enters guilty plea to involuntary manslaughter after high speed chase in New Kent leads to death of passenger

Jahreese Watson-Ricks

A Yorktown teenager who led a pursuit in New Kent County that resulted in the death of his passenger entered a guilty plea to three charges including involuntary manslaughter.

Jahreese Watson-Ricks, 19, of the 500 block of Arabian Circle, entered guilty pleas to one count each of involuntary manslaughter, felony destruction of property, and felony eluding as part of a plea agreement reached Monday morning in New Kent Circuit Court.

In a summary of evidence provided by New Kent Commonwealth Attorney Scott Renick, on Oct. 24, 2021, around 12:45 a.m., a Virginia State Trooper noticed a Sedan traveling over 100 miles per hour on Interstate 64 eastbound near the 211-mile marker. When the trooper caught up with the Sedan, they noticed that it was racing a Dodge SUV. The trooper observed the vehicle drive on the right shoulder of the road at the 220-mile marker and cut back into traffic.

The officer initiated emergency equipment to signal the vehicle to pull over, but the Sedan accelerated to 130 miles per hour by mile marker 213 and to 140 miles per miles per hour when it exited abruptly at mile marker 227 in James City County. The vehicle turned left and reentered New Kent County via Route 30.

Once in New Kent, the Sedan accelerated to 100 miles per hour once again, running a red light at the intersection of Route 30 and Route 33 before heading westbound on Route 249. The vehicle had reached 120 miles per hour when the driver lost control and wrecked into the tree line just after passing Paige Road. The officer was able to arrest the driver at 1:02 a.m. and returned to the vehicle. Upon inspecting the car, they found a passenger was suffering internal bleeding. The passenger, now identified as 17-year-old Rony’A Antoinette Belscher, was airlifted to a local hospital. Unfortunately, the victim succumbed to her injuries on Oct. 25. Belscher was the girlfriend of Watson-Ricks at the time of her passing and the defendant’s arrest.

Under the plea agreement, a presentence report is being prepared with sentencing guidelines recommending a range of one year, nine months to four years, six months. Formal sentencing for Watson-Ricks is scheduled for Nov. 7.

In other circuit court matters:

–Linnell Sylvester Burrell Jr., 44, of the 2500 block of Irvington Road, Weems, received formal sentencing on a lone count of DUI (third or subsequent offense). During a May 23 trial, the defendant entered a guilty plea stipulating that on Aug. 26, 2021, he operated a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.

Burrell received a five-year sentence with four years, three months suspended (nine months to serve), with 90 of those days being the mandatory minimum. He must also pay a $1,000 fine and a $50 contribution to the Trauma Center Fund.

–Joshua Lee Carter, 34, of the 2800 block of General Boulevard, Richmond, entered a guilty plea to one count of possession of a Schedule I/II drug as part of a plea deal.

In a summary of evidence, Carter was arrested on Mar. 25 as part of an investigation. During that investigation, it was discovered that the defendant was in possession of methamphetamine.

Under the agreement, no formal finding was rendered as Carter will enter into the First Offender Program. If he successfully completes the program, the charge will be dismissed.

–Bridget Rae Hill, of Williamsburg, entered guilty pleas to one count each of possession of a Schedule I/II drug and misdemeanor DUI (first offense) as part of a plea agreement. One additional count of possession of a Schedule I/II drug was dropped.

In a summary of evidence, Hill was arrested after being pulled over for suspicion of operating a vehicle and was discovered with illegal substances on her.

Under the plea agreement, no formal finding was rendered as the defendant will enter into the First Offender Program. If the defendant completes the program, the drug charge will be dismissed. For the misdemeanor, Rodriguez received a 12-month sentence with all time suspended.

–Tina Marie Rodriguez, 49, of the 8700 block of Six Mount Zion Road, Toano, entered a guilty plea to one count of possession of a Schedule I/II drug. One additional count of the same charge was dropped as part of the agreement.

In a summary of evidence, on Feb. 26, a New Kent deputy was patrolling and checking registrations on vehicles in Chesapeake Circle when one of the license plates came back as the vehicle of a possible wanted person. A traffic stop was initiated on the vehicle and the driver, now identified as Rodriguez, had warrants out of York County. When the suspect was searched, she admitted that she had cocaine in her jacket.

Under the agreement, Rodriguez received a five-year sentence with four years, 10 months suspended (two months to serve).

–Michael Brandon Smith, 31, of the 1800 block of Rockwood Road, Richmond, entered guilty pleas to two counts of possession of a Schedule I/II substance.

In a summary of evidence, on Dec. 29, 2021, a New Kent deputy received a call for service regarding an individual possibly stealing items from the Dollar General on Airport Road. When the defendant was confronted, he had several items in his pocket. As Smith emptied his pockets, a black container emerged, and the defendant admitted there were drugs inside of it. The defendant also was in possession of smoking devices. A laboratory test revealed that the substances Smith had on him included methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, and Fentanyl.

Under the plea agreement, Smith received a five-year sentence with all but 15 days suspended on the possession of methamphetamine conviction. All five years for possession of the cocaine/heroin/Fentanyl mix were suspended.