Richmond felon to serve two years in prison for possessing gun illegally in New Kent

A Richmond man, who is also a convicted felon, will spend the next two years in prison for illegally possessing a gun.

Brandon Isaiah Morris, 31, of the 900 block of Dirk Road, entered a guilty plea to one count of possession of a gun by a nonviolent felon as part of a plea agreement reached Monday morning in New Kent Circuit Court.

In a summary of evidence provided by New Kent Commonwealth’s Attorney Scott Renick, on May 17 a New Kent deputy responded to Sassafras Drive to the report of a suspicious person in the neighborhood. The deputy arrived to the residence, reviewing security film from a Ring doorbell that showed a suspect wearing a hoodie and a distinct pair of pants and shoes. The individual was shown on video allegedly trying to get inside a vehicle in the yard.

Officers began canvasing the area when they ran into an individual matching the description working on a car on Pinehurst Drive, which runs parallel to Sassafras Drive. After the officer made sure the individual, now identified as Morris, was alright, the deputy questioned him before placing him under arrest. A search of the defendant discovered a 9mm gun inside of the pocket of his sweatshirt. Background information revealed that Morris was a felon, and it was illegal for him to own or possess a gun.

Morris received a five-year sentence with three years suspended (two years to serve) on the felony conviction. The two year sentence is the mandatory minimum under state law for a felon possessing a gun illegally.

In other circuit court proceedings:

–Matthew Ray Howell, 29, of the 7800 block of Berkely Drive, Gloucester Point, entered guilty pleas to one count each of possession of a Schedule I/II drug, misdemeanor DUI (first offense), and misdemeanor DUI (second offense). A second possession of a Schedule I/II substance was dropped.

In a summary of evidence, on Sept. 7, 2022, Howard was operating a vehicle when he was pulled over for erratic driving. After an investigation, Howell was placed into custody for suspicion of DUI. A search of his vehicle at that time discovered a white powdery substance, later identified as cocaine. After he was released on bond, Howell was arrested again for DUI on Mar. 29.

Under the agreement, a presentence report is being prepared with the goal to place Howell in the ORBIT program. Formal sentencing is scheduled to take place on Jan. 22, 2024.

–Karmen Renee Reid, 33, of Quinton, entered a guilty plea to an amended charge of misdemeanor contributing to the delinquency of a minor (originally felony child abuse), and misdemeanor brandishing a firearm as part of a plea deal.

In a summary of evidence, on May 4, Reid had gotten into a disagreement with a minor in the house. When the minor walked upstairs, they began to argue with Reid as the defendant held a rifle in her hand. Reid had the weapon pointed to the ground and it was unloaded, but the victim left the house.

Under the agreement, all 12 months on both misdemeanor charges were suspended. Reid, however, must pay a fine in the total amount of $1,000 and must also complete anger management classes as a condition of her probation.