Six-year prison term imposed on 7-Eleven robber

A Shacklefords man involved in a May 6 early morning robbery of the 7-Eleven store located in Eltham will serve six years in prison after accepting a plea deal in New Kent Circuit Court.

Trey Daquan Smith, 19, of the 200 block of Clancie Road, entered guilty pleas to one count each of robbery and use of a firearm to commit a robbery during an Oct. 27 trial. One charge of conspiracy to commit robbery was dropped.

In a summary of evidence provided by Commonwealth’s Attorney Linwood Gregory, Smith entered the establishment just after 1 a.m. with an alleged codefendant, Michael Robinson, to rob the store. The duo held the clerk at gunpoint before escaping on foot with $265.

Authorities from New Kent, West Point, King William, and Charles City collaborated to investigate the incident. Upon inspecting video surveillance of the robbery, cameras recorded two men exiting a white sedan and entering the 7-Eleven 45 minutes before the robbery to inspect the premises. The duo returned later, wearing different sets of clothes with the exception of shoes.

After a press release was issued the following day, tips flooded phone lines indicating Smith had entered two gas stations in West Point, exiting from a white sedan and wearing the identical outfit during his first visit to the 7-Eleven. Reviewing surveillance video from the other two stores revealed Smith’s shoes being identical to those of the robber at 7-Eleven. Smith’s accomplice was identified by his parole officer through footage.

Less than 48 hours after the crime, both Smith and his accomplice were located at Robinson’s grandmother’s house in King William County where the white sedan was also parked. Authorities swooped in on the premises during an early morning raid, locating both suspects and detaining them. Upon a search of the premises, clothing and shoes identical to what the robbers wore were located inside the vehicle. A search of a shed in the backyard revealed a hoodie and stocking cap worn by Smith during the robbery. Contents inside the stocking cap included a roll of money that amounted to $267. Both Smith and his accomplice were arrested shortly afterwards.

Under the plea agreement, Smith received 60 years in prison with 57 suspended on the robbery conviction, and a mandatory three-year sentence on the firearm conviction. The accomplice, Robinson, is undergoing a psychiatric evaluation and his trial has not been scheduled.

In other Oct. 27 circuit court proceedings:

–Floyd Lee Atkins, 56, of the 8300 block of Cemetary Road, Charles City, received a formal sentence of five years in jail with two suspended on one count of driving as a habitual offender. Atkins admitted during an Aug. 25 trial to the offense where a New Kent deputy pulled him over after noticing erratic driving. Atkins also will serve a three-month sentence for DUI (2nd offense) and pay a $500 fine.

–Duane James Beckett, 46, of the 400 block of Langley Road, Orangeburg, S.C., accepted a plea deal to one count each of obtaining money by false pretenses and forgery. In a summary of evidence, Beckett forged a check in the amount of $1,904.65 in August 2011. Under the agreement he received 10 years in jail with all but one suspended on the obtaining money by false by false pretenses, and all ten years on the forgery charge were suspended. Beckett is also serving an eight-year, three month prison term on related charges from other jurisdictions and is currently facing charges in Newport News Circuit Court.

–Melvin Wendell Billups Jr., 37, of Gloucester, accepted a plea deal and entered a guilty plea to one count of distribution of an imitation controlled substance (2nd offense). One charge of conspiracy to distribute an imitation controlled substance was dropped. In a summary of evidence, Billups was a target of Quin Rivers Task Force on June 2. After a confidential informant made a controlled purchase of substance believed to be cocaine, authorities placed him in custody. A lab analysis revealed the substance was not cocaine. Under the agreement, Billups received a five-year jail sentence with all but three months suspended. He must also pay $300 in restitution.

–Kenneth Alton Charity, 50, of the 9400 block of Stagg Run, Charles City, will serve two years in jail on one count of grand larceny, with the other 18 years suspended. All 20 years on one charge of obtaining money under false pretenses were suspended. Charity was convicted of selling antique trailer-trucks and flatbed trucks belonging to Donald Charity for money during an Aug. 26 trial. He must also pay $5,000 in restitution.

–Courtney Lee Stephenson, 27, of the 100 block of Winter East Road, Williamsburg, will serve no active time behind bars to one count of grand larceny (10 years, all suspended) and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia (six months, all suspended). Last Dec. 24, Stephenson and codefendant Emily Marie Bowles, entered the Food Lion in Providence Forge and stole a variety of items that included feminine products and health products. Stephenson was convicted during an Aug. 25 trial on the offense, while Bowles accepted a plea agreement during Oct. 20 proceedings. Stephenson must enroll in drug rehabilitation programs as part of her sentencing.