Restaurateur indicted on attempted murder, aggravated malicious wounding charges in New Kent
Sheng Jie Jin
A New Kent restaurateur accused of attacking two family members in a Jan. 20 confrontation now faces serious charges that include two counts of attempted murder and two counts of aggravated malicious wounding.
Sheng Jie Jen, 41, currently of Henrico Jail East, was indicted on five charges during New Kent Circuit Court grand jury proceedings on May 18.
According to the indictment, Jin confronted his estranged wife, Yue Yue Zheng, outside Panda Garden restaurant, located in the New Kent Crossing shopping center on Route 249 in Quinton, both whom are co-owners of the restaurant. Jin allegedly threatened Zheng and her brother, Xue Ying Gao, in the parking lot in a confrontation, resulting in a violent attack that left his estranged wife severely injured. Charges for attempted murder stem from Jin allegedly driving a vehicle and trying to strike both Gao and Zheng. Jin’s fifth felony is a felony vandalism charge that stems from damage to his restaurant and Maria’s Pizza and Italian Restaurant, a business adjacent to Panda Garden.
Jin is scheduled for trial on Aug. 10 and is currently undergoing a psychological evaluation according to defense attorney Richard Collins.
In other indictments handed down by the grand jury:
–Scott William Bettis, 44, of the 8000 block of Henpeck Road, Quinton, on one count of DUI (third offense). Bettis was allegedly operating a vehicle last Jan. 19 before being pulled over and arrested.
–Shalia Marie Brown, 21, and Nicholas Warren Bryant, 20, both of the 200 block of Buckroe Road, Hampton, on one count each of conspiracy to obtain money and obtaining money under false pretenses. According to the indictment, last Dec. 13, both suspects entered Gold & Silver Mine, a pawn shop in New Kent, and tried to obtain money.
–Rachel Nicole Dillon, 18, of the 1900 block of Chatsworth Avenue, North Chesterfield, and Bailey Scott Strickland, of the 100 block of Brokenbridge Road, Yorktown, on one count each of burglary and stealing a firearm. According to the indictment, the duo allegedly broke into the home of Kenneth Dill and stole a firearm on Jan. 8.
–Jessica Lynn Kennedy, 34, of the 8000 block of N. Henpeck Road, Quinton, on one count of unauthorized use of a vehicle. According to the indictment, on Jan. 9, Kennedy allegedly took the vehicle of Wilbur Isgett and drove it without his permission.
–George Julius Nagy II, 19, of the 100 block of Southeast Terrance, Williamsburg, on two counts of felony vandalism. Nagy allegedly vandalized property at Heath Industrial Park and property belonging to Tom Wallace.
–Carl Byron Viar, Jr. 25, of the 100 block of Flatwoods Road, Amherst, on one count each of possession of methamphetamine, possession of a schedule I/II substance while in possession of a firearm, transport of a firearm as a convicted felon, and transporting ammunition as a convicted felon. On Jan. 2, Viar was allegedly the driver of a vehicle that was involved in an 85-mile chase in multiple jurisdictions, including New Kent.
–Alfonzo Williams Jr., 38, of the 200 block of Kennedy Blvd., Jersey City, NJ, on one count of possession of cocaine. Williams allegedly possessed the substance on Nov. 19, 2014.
–William Henry Winston Jr., 64, of the 6000 block of Emmaus Church Road, New Kent, on one count of felony eluding of police. Winston allegedly refused to stop for authorities on Jan. 26.