Richmond woman receives three years in prison for distributing methamphetamine in New Kent

A Richmond woman will spend the next three years in prison for distributing drugs in New Kent County.

Sharee Mae Smith, 33, of the 100 block of West Leigh Street, entered guilty pleas to one count each of distributing a Schedule I/II drug (second offense) and felony failure to appear as part of Monday proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court.

In a summary of evidence presented by New Kent Commonwealth’s Attorney Scott Renick, on Apr. 2, 2024, New Kent Sheriff’s Office responded to a vehicle seizure and had a K-9 conduct a free air smith. The K-9 alerted officers of possible narcotics and investigators searched the vehicle. Inside of the car was a safe. Officers forced open the safe, with the contents including baggies, a crystal-like substance, syringes, smoking pipe, and a scale. The items were sent to a forensics lab, with results revealing the crystal-like substance being methamphetamine. The owner of the car was Smith, who was arrested on the distribution charge as 118 grams of the drug was discovered. She also failed to appear in New Kent General District Court on a grand theft auto charge.

Smith received a 20-year sentence with 17 years suspended (three years to serve) on the distribution of a Schedule I/II drug conviction. The three years imposed is the mandatory minimum time that she has to serve. All five years on the felony failure to appear were suspended. She must also pay a total of $2,000 in fines.

In other circuit court matters:

–James D. Allen Brown Jr., 32, of Richmond, was sentenced to prison for driving while his license was revoked (felony related).

During a Feb. 10 trial, Brown entered a straight guilty plea to the offense. At that trial, he admitted that on May 31, 2024, he failed to yield at a stop sign and was pulled over as part of a traffic stop. Information discovered by the officer revealed that Brown had his license revoked due to previous DUIs.

Brown received a five-year sentence with four years suspended (one year to serve).

–Travon Keonte Debro, 31, of the 300 block of Bonnie Court, Highland Springs, entered a guilty plea to a single charge of felony eluding as part of a plea deal. One charge of reckless driving was dropped as part of a plea agreement.

In a summary of evidence, on Feb. 28, a New Kent deputy clocked a vehicle speeding excessively on Interstate 64. When the officer tried to conduct a traffic stop, the vehicle accelerated, and a pursuit ensued. Eventually, officers were able to stop and arrest the driver, now identified as Debro, for the offense.

Under the agreement, Debro received a five-year sentence with four years suspended (one year to serve).

–Twana Yvette Jones, 59, of the 4700 block of Mountcastle Road, Providence Forge, learned her fate for illegally possessing ammunition.

During a March 24 trial, Jones entered a guilty plea as part of an agreement that saw the charge amended from transport of a weapon by a violent felon. During her trial, evidence presented showed that Jones had gotten into a verbal argument with her boyfriend at the time, who had brought a gun into the home. Jones picked up the shotgun and took it and ammunition to the neighbor’s house, which led to authorities being called by the boyfriend. Jones admitted to officers that she knew she could not have a gun and ammunition in her house due to her record of being a felon and was removing it from the house and taking it to her neighbor’s house.

Under the agreement, Jones received a five-year sentence with four years, nine months suspended (three months to serve).

–Stefanie Rae Odom, 42, of Newport News, entered guilty pleas to one count each of possession of a Schedule I/II substance and felony failure to appear.

In a summary of evidence, on June 5, 2024, a New Kent deputy executed a traffic stop on a vehicle where Odom was a passenger. After an investigation, a search of the vehicle was conducted, with the officer discovered a substance that ended up being 2.51 grams of cocaine. Odom was arrested on the offense. She also failed to appear on the charge in New Kent General District Court.

Under the agreement, Odom was placed in the First Offender Program on the possession of a schedule I/II charge. If she successfully completes the program, the drug charge will be dismissed. She received a five-year sentence with all but three months suspended on the failure to appear conviction.