North Carolina man receives 15-month sentence for leading 40-mile chase that started in New Kent

A North Carolina man who attempted to flee from police this past summer will spend the next 15 months in jail.

Christopher Michael Whitley, 38, of the 1300 block of Wiley Lewis Road, Greensboro, entered guilty pleas to one count each of felony eluding of police and misdemeanor DUI (first offense) as part of an agreement reached Monday in New Kent Circuit Court.

In a summary of evidence provided by New Kent Commonwealth’s Attorney Scott Renick, on Aug. 7 a New Kent deputy operating radar on Interstate 64 eastbound noticed a sedan slowly weaving back and forth across travel lanes. The officer activated emergency lights to pull over the vehicle, but the sedan sped up. A chase ensued as the pursuit lasted more than 40 miles before the vehicle was brought to a halt at exit 253 in Newport News. The officer identified Whitley as the driver and asked him why he was running. Whitley responded that he had drank alcohol earlier in the day. A subsequent test revealed that the defendant was indeed driving under the influence of alcohol.

Under the agreement, Whitley received a five-year sentence with three years, nine months suspended on the felony eluding conviction. All 12 months on the DUI charge were suspended. He must also pay $1,500 in fines.

In other circuit court proceedings:

–Gerald Edward Baker Jr., 47, of the 3000 block of Sassafras Woods Court, Quinton, entered guilty pleas to an amended charges of reckless driving (originally felony eluding) and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia (originally possession of a Schedule I/II substance) as part of a plea agreement. Two charges of refusing to take a blood test were dropped.

In a summary of evidence, on Aug. 18, 2022, a New Kent deputy noticed a vehicle swerving back and forth across the road. The officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but the vehicle traveled at a slow speed for the next four miles. Once the vehicle came to a stop, the driver, identified as Baker, exited the car and was arrested. Upon a search of the vehicle, drug paraphernalia was found in the glove compartment.

Under the agreement, Baker received a 12-month sentence with six months suspended (six months to serve) on the possession of drug paraphernalia conviction. He also received a 12-month sentence with all but one month suspended on the misdemeanor reckless driving charge. He must pay $2,000 in fines as the result of his convictions.

–Matthew Ryan Holzschuh, 34, of Providence Forge, entered a guilty plea to one county of possession of a Schedule I/II drug.

In a summary of evidence, on Aug. 10, 2022, a New Kent deputy noticed Holzschuh pumping gas at the Love’s Travel Center for 30 minutes. When the officer went over to question the defendant if he was okay, Holzschuh responded that his wife was in the car naked in the passenger seat. When the officer looked inside the vehicle, he noticed Holzschuh’s wife fully clothed. The deputy asked the wife to step out the vehicle and investigated. When the wife exited the vehicle on the passenger’s side, the officer spotted a straw in the floorboard on the driver’s side along with a white baggie where the defendant was sitting. Holzschuh told the officer that the white substance was cocaine. Holzschuh was arrested and a subsequent lab test revealed that the substance was Fentanyl.

Under the plea agreement, Holzschuh received a five-year sentence with four years, 11 months suspended (one month to serve). He must also pay a fine of $1,000.

–Christian Raul Martinez, 21, of the 6900 block of Lakeshore Court, Quinton, was found guilty of possession of a Schedule I/II drug, along with two counts of felony possession of alcohol while on First Offender status.

In January 2023, Martinez entered into a plea agreement where he would enter into the First Offender program after pleading guilty to possessing cocaine. As part of the agreement, the charge would be dismissed if he successfully completed the program. However, on June 1 and Aug. 17, Martinez was tested and found that he had alcohol in his system, which violated the terms of his First Offender status.

Martinez received a one-year jail sentence on one of the felony possession of alcohol convictions with six months suspended (six months to serve). All five years on the possession of a Schedule I/II drug as well as one year on the second possession of alcohol were suspended.

–Marcos Luis Nunez, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, had one charge each of grand larceny and conspiracy to commit grand larceny dropped.