Sex offenders in unrelated cases plead guilty to entering onto grounds of New Kent schools

Two Quinton men, who are both on the National Sex Offender Registry, entered guilty pleas in unrelated crimes stemming from entering onto school property as part of Monday proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court.

Howard Stephen Hinnant IV, 21, of the 8900 block of Ellyson Trace, pled guilty to entering a school after being convicted as a Tier III sex offender.

In a summary of evidence provided by New Kent Commonwealth Attorney Scott Renick, on Nov. 7, 2022, a school resource officer noticed Hinnant enter New Kent Middle School for a Veterans Day ceremony. The resource officer was able to pull Hinnant aside and question him. Hinnant admitted that he was on the sex offender registry and that he had been told by an unknown individual that it was fine for him to be on the property. Unfortunately, that statement is untrue as sex offenders are barred from school property.

Hinnant received a five-year sentence with four years, 10 months suspended (two months to serve) on the conviction.

In an unrelated matter, Kyle Curtis Martin, 33, of the 5900 block of Quinton Estates Drive, also pled guilty to entering a school after being convicted as a Tier III sex offender.

In a summary of evidence provided by special prosecutor Tyler Klink, on Nov. 10, 2022, Martin entered onto the property of George Watkins Elementary School to drop off a relative. Martin was noticed by officers and a subsequent background revealed that he was a sex offender. Martin was arrested on the crime.

Martin received a five-year sentence with four years, eight months suspended (four months to serve) on the conviction.