Woman with drug problem learns fate in New Kent Circuit Court
A New Kent woman with a history of drug-related problems learned her fate after completing the second of two trials during Monday afternoon court proceedings in New Kent.
Samantha Nicole Rigdon, 21, of the 9000 block of Shewsbury Drive, accepted a plea agreement to one count of distributing heroin. One charge of possession of heroin was dropped. Rigdon admitted that on March 18 she sold the substance to an undercover informant.
The trial was the second for the defendant, who awaited sentencing from an Aug. 11 trial. During that trial, Rigdon entered guilty pleas to three counts of grand larceny, one count of possession of a controlled substance, and one count of misdemeanor unlawful entry. Those pleas stemmed from when Rigdon admitted stealing jewelry from Natalie Battilana, Ashley Flescher, and Jeena Trimmer, and sold the items to a pawn shop.
As part of the August plea deal, sentencing would carry over to Monday’s trial, where she entered another plea agreement so that she may receive sentencing for both trials on the same day. During that time frame, she was evaluated for the detention and diversion center.
Under the agreement, Ridgon will serve an active six-month term in jail. After completion of that sentence, she will be transferred to the detention and diversion center. Rigdon must also pay $10,680 in restitution due to the items she sold from the grand larceny.
In an unrelated incident, a Richmond woman who embezzled from a non-profit organization where she was employed will serve an active term of 45 days in jail.
Mary Beth Andre, 50, of the 6500 block of Charles City Road, accepted a plea deal to five counts of embezzlement.
In a summary of evidence provided by Commonwealth’s Attorney Linwood Gregory, Andre worked as treasurer for Operation Catnip of Richmond, based out of New Kent. When the governing board of the company resigned, Andre relinquished her position as treasurer. When the new treasurer transitioned into the position, she noticed discrepancies in financial reports and addressed Andre about it. Those concerns prompted the new treasurer to go to authorities where an investigation followed, connecting Andre to the offense.
In a letter written and submitted as evidence, Andre admitted that she stole the money to pay for medical procedures and bills, but an underlying habit was also a reason she committed the crime.
“My intent was to put the money back,” the letter read. “But during that time, I was taking a pay cut and the bills were piling up and I turned to drugs and alcohol.”
Under the agreement, she received five years on each of the charges, with all but 45 days suspended. She also paid $20,000 in restitution.
In other New Kent Circuit Court proceedings:
–Thomas Alexander Bevis, 21, of the 2600 block of New Kent Highway, accepted a plea deal to one count of distributing cocaine. Two additional charges of distributing cocaine were dropped. In a summary of evidence, on March 17, Bevis was the target of a Twin Rivers Task Force operation, where he met a confidential informant at Food Lion in Bottoms Bridge and sold the substance. Under the agreement, Bevis received 20 years in jail, with all but one year suspended, and must pay $420 in restitution.
–John Douglas Richardson, 23, of the 3000 block of News Road, Williamsburg, accepted a plea deal and entered a guilty plea to one count of grand larceny. An additional charge of credit card fraud was dropped. In a summary of evidence, Richardson stole jewelry belonging to George and Molly McBeath when their daughter hosted a party at the residence. Under the agreement, he received a 10-year jail sentence, but will serve one year incarcerated.
–Timothy James Brewster, 34, of the 6400 block of Chenault Way, Mechanicsville, had one charge of advance pay without work, two charges of misdemeanor working without a proper license, and one charge of misdemeanor building code violation dropped. According to Gregory, the charges were dropped due to credibility issues of a witness.