Charles City man receives year behind bars for illegally possessing ammunition in New Kent

A Charles City man will spend a year in jail for illegally possessing ammunition in New Kent County.

Ryan Lamar White, 36, entered a guilty plea to an amended charge of possession of ammunition by a convicted felon (originally possession of a firearm by a convicted felon) and misdemeanor driving under the influence as part of an agreement reached Monday morning in New Kent Circuit Court.

In a summary of evidence provided by New Kent Commonwealth’s Attorney Scott Renick, on Sept. 10, 2022, a Virginia State Trooper responded to the scene of an accident where a red Dodge Durango had driven off the road. When the officer arrived to the scene, they noticed bullet shells outside of the vehicle, which was driven by White. When the officer questioned the defendant about the accident, White stated that another vehicle pulled up beside him and pointed guns at him. He also said that the gun magazine was thrown at him.

As the officer interviewed White, an odor of alcohol was detected, and White was transported to the hospital. A blood draw was executed, with results showing that the defendant was intoxicated while he operated the vehicle. White, who is a convicted felon, was arrested for possessing the shells illegally and driving under the influence.

White received a five-year sentence with four years suspended on the possession of ammunition by a felon conviction (one year to serve). All 12 months on the DUI conviction were suspended. White must also pay $2,000 in total fines.

In an unrelated case, a Charles City woman entered guilty pleas to distribution of a Schedule III drug (Suboxone) and intent to sell an imitation Schedule II drug as part of a plea deal.

Kayla Ann Branch, 27, admitted to the offenses stemming from a Dec. 14, 2022 incident. One additional charge each of distribution of a Schedule III drug and intent to sell an imitation a Schedule II drug were dropped.

In a summary of evidence, Branch was observed by local police officers attempting to sell drugs in the Food Lion parking lot in Providence Forge. She was arrested and the drugs were tested, with the results coming back as the aforementioned Suboxone and a fake drug that she told the officers it was cocaine.

A presentence report is being prepared on Branch, with recommended guidelines proposing a sentence range from seven months to one year, one month. Formal sentencing is scheduled to take place on June 17.