Woman using sister’s ID accepts plea deal in New Kent Circuit Court

A Hampton woman who used her sister’s identification at a traffic stop has entered Alford pleas of guilt (stipulating while she maintains her innocence, evidence presented would be enough to convict her) as part of a plea deal during afternoon proceedings on Monday in New Kent Circuit Court.

Laura Lee Carter, 33, of 17 Woodsman Road, entered guilty pleas to one count each of forgery of a public document, false identification (second offense), perjury, misdemeanor reckless driving, and misdemeanor driving suspended. One charge each of uttering and misdemeanor presentation of false identification to a law enforcement officer were dropped.

In a summary of evidence, on March 5, 2014 Carter was pulled over by a Virginia State Trooper on Interstate 64 in New Kent. Without any identification on her, Carter provided the trooper with the social security number of Rosa Paige, the defendant’s sister. A few days later, Paige received notification from Virginia State Police of her impending court date as well as a law firm attempting to represent her. The victim drove to New Kent Sheriff’s Office, who contacted the state police about the issue. The trooper who made the initial stop met with Paige and said she was not the woman he pulled over. Paige showed a picture of her sister to the trooper, who confirmed that Carter was the individual he pulled over.

In a June 29 trial (later declared a mistrial), Carter testified that she had not been convicted of a crime in Hampton City Circuit Court. That testimony was a false statement, triggering an indictment for perjury.

Under the plea agreement, she received a total of 25 years, 90 days suspended on all charges under the condition that she qualifies for and completes the Women’s Diversion Program. If she does not qualify, she will return to court for formal sentencing. She must pay $650 in fines stemming from the misdemeanor charges.

In other Monday proceedings in circuit court:

–Rachel Nicole Dillon, 18, and Bailey Scott Strickland, 20, both of the 1900 block of Chatsworth Avenue, Chesterfield, both received formal sentencing from guilty verdicts from an July 20 trial on one charge each of burglary and grand larceny. At the trial, the duo was convicted for burglarizing the home of Kenneth Dill and stealing firearms.

Strickland received 10 years in jail on both charges, with all but one year, three months suspended. Dillon will serve an active incarceration of three years in prison, with the other 20 years suspended. Each has to pay restitution in the total amount of $4,984.95.

–Clint Michael Gillespie, 38, of the 7200 block of Club Drive, Quinton, accepted a plea deal and entered a guilty plea to one count of assault and battery on a family member (third offense). One count of strangulation was dropped. In a summary of evidence, last May 27 Gillespie and his ex-girlfriend were engaged in an argument. Eventually, Gillespie pulled the victim out of the vehicle and pushed her against it. Later in the confrontation, he pushed the victim against a wall in their home before she could escape, locking herself inside a bedroom and calling for help. Gillespie will be formally sentenced on Dec. 21.

–Tyler Jordan Gilliam, 23 of the 8400 block of Kips Creek Drive, Charles City, entered a guilty plea to one count of possession of cocaine. In a summary of evidence, a New Kent deputy detected the odor alcohol and marijuana during a road checkpoint on Apr. 24. A search of the vehicle revealed a glass pipe in the glove compartment of the vehicle. Tests revealed the residue found inside the pipe was cocaine.

Under the agreement, no formal finding will be rendered, as the defendant will be placed in the first offender’s program. Gilliam must also complete 100 hours of community service.

–John Steven Minor, 40, of the 8900 block of Ellyson Trace, Quinton, accepted a plea deal to one count of manufacturing a controlled substance. In a summary of evidence, a confidential informant made a controlled buy of cocaine from Minor on May 8. Under the agreement, no formal finding will be made until Jan. 11 for the defendant to complete the RISE program at Henrico Jail East, but the plea deal calls for a 20-year sentence with 17 years suspended (three years to serve) and also paying $360 in restitution.

–Marcus Akeem Pryor, 27, of the 3000 block of Montrose Avenue, Richmond, had one charge of possession of methamphetamine dismissed after completing requirements of the first offender’s program.

–Samantha Jo Strickland, 26, of the 5600 block of Quinton Estates, Quinton, entered an Alford Plea of guilt to one count each of grand larceny and obtaining money by false pretenses. While maintaining her innocence, she stipulated the evidence would be sufficient to convict her of the offenses.

In a summary of evidence, last June 22 a New Kent detective was interviewing Shannon Wooten about previously stolen jewelry from an earlier offense. The detective followed up, finding Strickland had pawned the stolen jewelry at Gold and Silver Mine in New Kent with a co-defendant.

Under the agreement, a presentence report will be prepared with formal sentencing scheduled for Dec. 14. If deemed appropriate, the felonies will be reduced to misdemeanors. Strickland must also pay $3,773 in restitution.