Newport News man receives 14-month sentence for possessing methamphetamine in New Kent

A Newport News man will spend 14 months in jail for possessing methamphetamine in New Kent County.

Michael David King, 34, of the 300 block of Colony Road, pled guilty to a single count of possession of a Schedule I/II substance as part of a plea agreement reached Monday afternoon in New Kent Circuit Court. One additional charge of possession of a Schedule I/II substance and misdemeanor DWI (first offense) were dropped as part of the deal.

In a summary of evidence provided by New Kent Commonwealth’s Attorney Scott Renick, on Oct. 23, 2025, an officer noticed a car parked in a local church’s lot late at night. The officer approached the car and noticed the driver, later identified as King, acting strangely. The officer conducted a background check and discovered that the defendant had a warrant out for his arrest. The officer arrested King and a subsequent pat down of the subject discovered a small baggie with a substance inside of it. The substance was sent off to the forensics lab and was confirmed to be methamphetamine.

King received a 10-year sentence with eight years, 10 months suspended (one year, two months to serve).

In an unrelated case, a Hopewell man will spend no active time incarcerated on charges related to obtaining funds illegally.

Christopher Victor Averett, 53, of the 100 block of N. 16th Avenue, received formal sentencing on one count each of forging a bank note, misdemeanor bad check larceny, and misdemeanor obtaining money by false pretenses. During a Mar. 23 trial, Averett admitted that he used a check that was created and cashed it to obtain money at Lanexa Plaza as part of a scheme.

Averett received a five-year sentence with all time suspended on the forging of a bank note conviction. However, Averett was found eligible and will be participating in the CCAP (Community Corrections Alternative Program) as part of his sentencing. All 12 months on the misdemeanor bad check larceny and misdemeanor obtaining money by false pretenses were suspended.