Quinton man accepts plea deal at last second

A Quinton man opted to accept a last-second plea deal to drug charges during Nov. 24 New Kent Circuit Court proceedings.

Reginald Jerron Carter, 42, of the 3200 block of Quaker Road, agreed to terms of an agreement with the Commonwealth prior to a scheduled trial. According to Carter’s attorney Todd Duval, the defendant waivered back and forth before ultimately accepting the offer.

Carter entered Alford pleas of guilty to three counts of distributing heroin (second offense). One charge each of possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, possession of ammunition, possession with intent to distribute, and driving as a habitual offender were dropped.

While maintaining his innocence, Carter stipulated that evidence presented by Commonwealth’s Attorney Linwood Gregory would be sufficient to convict him of the crimes. In a summary of evidence, Carter sold heroin on Feb. 21, Feb. 28, and Mar. 8 of this year to an undercover informant. The defendant became a target of the Twin Rivers Task Force and was subsequently arrested for the crimes.

Under the plea agreement, Carter will serve a mandatory sentence of three years in prison on each charge, totaling nine years overall. He must also pay $460 in restitution.

Carter’s legal troubles, however, are not over as of yet. The defendant was indicted by a New Kent grand jury on Nov. 17 on four new charges and also faces a probation violation in New Kent. Trials on those charges are not expected to take place until February.

In an unrelated case, a Lanexa woman also entered an Alford plea of guilty to one count of possession of heroin.

Mary Kathryn Hosinger, 28, of the 7200 block of Otey Drive, was convicted on the single charge. While maintaining her innocence, Hosinger said evidence would be sufficient to convict her.

In a summary of evidence, New Kent deputies received a be-on-the-lookout call for a vehicle driving recklessly on Interstate 64. After the vehicle was spotted, a deputy began chasing the vehicle, before it finally pulled over two miles down the road. Hosinger, identified as the driver, provided information to the deputy. When information returned that her license was suspended, a tow truck was called in to remove the vehicle.

As the driver of the tow truck attempted to shift the vehicle into neutral, he moved the defendant’s purse to the side, with a needle falling out of it. The driver notified the deputy, who began searching the vehicle after finding probable cause. The search yielded needles, pills, and a scale, all located inside Hosinger’s purse. She was taken into custody shortly afterwards.

Under the plea agreement, Hosinger was placed on first offender’s status and must complete a two-year probationary period. If she completes 100 hours of community service, passes all drug tests, and complies with other terms and conditions, the charge will be dismissed.