Three men in unrelated traffic incidents to spend at least one year in jail

Three men arrested in unrelated traffic incidents will each serve a minimum of one year in jail after accepting plea deals during Feb. 23 New Kent Circuit Court proceedings.

–James Michael Devine, 53, of the 400 block of Washington Avenue, Salem, Ohio, entered a plea agreement and pled guilty to one count of DUI (third or subsequent offense) and driving revoked (after being convicted of a felony DUI). In a summary of evidence, Devine was operating a Green Ford Excursion on Interstate 64 when he entered the rest area in reverse. A state trooper observed his actions and initiated a traffic stop. After detecting the odor of alcohol, the trooper initiated a breathalyzer test and it was determined that Devine was intoxicated nearly three times over the legal limit. He was arrested and it was determined later that Devine had been arrested in the past for similar incidents. Under the agreement, Devine will serve one year in jail on each charge and pay a fine of $2,000.

–Jeffrey Lynn Smith, 48, of the 14000 block of Stage Road, Quinton, pled guilty to one count of DUI (third or subsequent offense) and driving revoked (after being convicted of a felony DUI) after accepting a plea agreement. In a summary of evidence, last Aug. 15 a state trooper noticed Smith’s Dodge pickup truck weaving across Stage Road. After a traffic stop, the trooper detected a faint scent of alcohol and administered a field sobriety test. Smith failed the test and was taken into custody where it was later determined it was his third offense. Under the agreement, he will spend one year in jail on the DUI charge and have all five years of driving revoked suspended upon his qualification for the detention and diversion program. He must also pay $2,000 in fines.

–Issac DeJesus Tobar-Morales, 27, of the 700 block of Burgess Street, Williamsburg, accepted a plea agreement to one count of felony eluding police. In a summary of evidence provided by Commonwealth’s Attorney Linwood Gregory, last Oct. 17 James City County police pursued Tobar-Morales after he allegedly stole a vehicle and drove westbound on Interstate 64. After James City County deputies informed New Kent Sheriff’s Office that they had to end the pursuit due to policy, New Kent officers took over the pursuit, where speeds reached 106 miles per hour. Tobar-Morales eventually came to a halt after his car struck another vehicle as he sped through the intersection of the 214 (Providence Forge) exit. Deputies extracted Tobar-Morales from the vehicle and he was taken into custody. Under the plea agreement, he was sentenced to five years in jail, with all but one year, two months suspended. Gregory also expects Tobar-Morales to be deported back to El Salvador as he is not a citizen of the United States.

–Durneil Lamont Bryant Sr., 36, of the 1200 block of Oakland Road, Richmond, entered guilty pleas to one count each of bad check larceny and obtaining money by false pretenses as part of a plea agreement. In a summary of evidence, last Oct. 3 Bryant opened a bank account at C&F Bank and made a deposit. Using starter checks belonging to another person from BB&T bank, he began to withdraw money from the account and use it to feed his drug habit. An investigation was launched and he was arrested. Under the agreement, he received five years in jail on each charge, but will serve a nine-month sentence. He must also pay $600 in restitution.