Expect hefty fine, judge warns female motorcyclist

A Charles City woman received a stern warning from Judge Thomas B. Hoover during Charles City Circuit Court last Friday.

Betsie Branham Pierotti, 43, of 2020 CC Road, accepted a plea agreement from Commonwealth’s Attorney Rob Tyler to plead guilty on one count of felony eluding police and one count of misdemeanor reckless driving. Under the agreement, the felony charge will be reduced to a misdemeanor if Pierotti completes 100 community service hours prior to her sentencing date next year.

In a summary of evidence, Tyler explained that last July 22, Pierotti was speeding on a motorcycle while traveling south on Route 106 when a state police trooper attempted to make a traffic stop. Pierotti ignored the warnings and continued onto Route 5 west.

There, another state trooper joined the pursuit to slow her down, but she weaved into an opposite lane to avoid the trooper. The pursuit continued for 16 miles before Pierotti would temporarily escape.

Troopers tracked her license place to her residence where she refused to come out of her home. After troopers mentioned to Pierotti the intent to get a warrant to search her premises for the motorcycle, she surrendered without incident.

The recap of the summary prompted Hoover to question Tyler about the plea agreement.

“Here is this lady who not only didn’t stop when warned, but continued for 16 miles and put other people’s lives in danger,” said Hoover. “That is the description of aggravated reckless driving.”

Tyler presented reasoning for the plea agreement in regard to reducing the felony charge to a misdemeanor.

“She has a very clean record,” said Tyler. “She has a plus five on her driving record, and this is her first criminal offense.”

Hoover questioned Pierotti about her actions.

“Why did you do this? Didn’t you see the lights and hear the sirens of the troopers?” questioned Hoover.

“I blame the chronic issues I had that day,” responded Pierotti. “I was having a bad day and I made a bad decision. I know I was wrong.”

“You understand that you not only put yourself at risk, but you put a whole lot of innocent drivers at risk,” Hoover retorted. “I don’t see why you just didn’t pull over after one mile, but 16 miles is just inexcusable.”

Pierotti’s sentencing has been continued to May 24, 2013, but Hoover spoke of consequences she will be receiving.

“Mrs. Pierotti, you can expect a huge fine and a loss of your license for a very long time on the misdemeanor charges,” he said.

In an unrelated case, a Charles City man will serve six months active time under a plea agreement for non-violent possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Rian Sherod Jones, 35, of 9920 Woodbourne Road, was sentenced by Hoover to five years in jail with all but four years, six months suspended.

In a summary of evidence, Jones was in an argument with his girlfriend when a Charles City deputy responded. Arriving at the scene, the deputy discovered a rifle on the floor.

Tyler said the weapon was not brandished or used. Jones admitted the rifle, along with other firearms in the home, were handed down to him by his father.