Briefly… for May 29-June12, 2014
DNA defendant receives sentence
A Richmond woman whose DNA was found on a cigarette butt at the scene of a break-in will serve a year in a women’s Detention and Diversion program.
Melissa Dawn Miffleton, 27, of the 2100 block of Oregon Avenue, received the formal sentence during May 19 proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court.
Miffleton accepted a plea deal on April 13 to one count of burglary. Evidence presented indicated Miffleton broke into the house of Laurie Dunston with an unidentified male and stole items. As she left the scene, she flicked a cigarette butt onto the ground. With nobody in the Dunston household having the habit of smoking, New Kent detectives traced the DNA evidence back to the defendant.
While Miffleton said at sentencing she only drove the car and wasn’t a thief, Judge Thomas B. Hoover shot back at her and her statement.
“You went to these people’s house and items were stolen,” said the irate judge. “Even if you just drove the vehicle, you are still involved in the crime. Don’t give me that nonsense; you are a thief!”
Under the agreement, Miffleton received a 10-year prison sentence, with all time suspended pending her completion of the detention and diversion program.
Traffic stop leads to alleged assault
A West Point man faces an assortment of charges after he allegedly struggled with law enforcement officers during a traffic stop in New Kent County.
Joseph Karl Fredericks, 48, of the 7900 block of Point Lookout Road, West Point, is charged with one count each of assaulting a law enforcement officer, obstruction of justice, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest following the May 22 incident.
New Kent deputies were conducting a vehicle checkpoint on Farmer’s Drive (Route 273) near Davis Pond Road. A sheriff’s office report said the vehicle driven by Fredericks had an expired registration, and the suspect became uncooperative, refusing to provide deputies with his driver’s license.
Fredericks allegedly resisted arrest leading to the assault charge that occurred during an alleged struggle with Deputy Wyatt Johnston. The suspect was being held at Henrico Jail East on $2,500 bond, and was due in New Kent General District Court last Tuesday for arraignment.
Alleged suspects caught in act in NK
Two Virginia men, allegedly caught in the act of burglarizing a New Kent County business, are being held on two felony charges and one misdemeanor count in connection with the incident.
Around midnight Monday and while on patrol inspecting businesses, Deputy Stewart Meredith spotted a suspicious vehicle parked on property owned by Commercial Carrier Corp., located off Route 33 (Eltham Road) just west of Eltham.
A search of the property located two men, identified as Eric Gillard, 45, of the 23000 block of Andrew Court, Windsor, and James Walter Walker, 55, of the 3600 block of Sherwood Place, Chesapeake.
Meredith also discovered that several sets of tires were being loaded into a truck owned by Commercial Carrier. He also found a set of bolt cutters allegedly used to cut a fence surrounding the property. Information provided by Gillard revealed the suspect is wanted on other charges in Chesapeake.
Both Gillard and Walker are charged with one count each of grand larceny and possession of burglary tools along with misdemeanor trespassing. Gillard was being held without bond while Walker’s bond was set at $2,500. Both were due to appear last Tuesday for arraignment in New Kent General District Court.
No drugs found in NK schools sweep
Random drug sweeps at all four New Kent schools yielded negative results during a May 22 drug search.
In an effort to keep the premises drug free, a joint effort made up of New Kent Sheriff Office, Virginia State Police K-9 Unit and New Kent County Schools intiated the search.
Suspect sought in vehicle break-ins
A person of interest is seen entering an ADT van during the overnight hours of May 22.
New Kent Sheriff’s Office is looking for information on a number of thefts from unlocked cars in the Woodhaven Shores subdivision.
On May 22, approximately 10 vehicles were entered into by an unidentified suspect. Also during the time of the break-ins, a suspicious fire was noted in the area. Surveillance photos reveal a person of interest, seen in the bottom right-hand corner.
The alleged suspect is shown entering an ADT vehicle during the early morning hours. Police have yet to identify the suspect. New Kent Sheriff’s Office is advising all residents to lock the doors of all vehicles, as well as home doors.
If you have any information the crimes or can help identify the person in the photo, call New Kent Sheriff’s Office at 966-9500 or Crime Stoppers at 780-1000.
Correction
In the May 15 issue of The Chronicle, a name was inadvertantly misspelled in the Charles City High School honor roll. Jasmine Austin, a 12th grader, is the correct name of the student.