UPDATE: New Kent County officials agree to $35,750 penalty for wetlands law violations

New Kent County officials have agreed to pay a civil penalty of $35,750 as punishment for violating state wetlands law when land was cleared near New Kent Airport. An 18-page consent order details the violations and enforcement action taken by the state’s Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). The county must pay $4,180 to the state within 30 days of the consent order going into effect. The county then must satisfy the remaining $31,570 by submitting proof of purchase of 1.54 acres of wetland credits from a DEQ-approved wetlands mitigation bank, also within 30 days of the order’s effective date. The…
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UPDATE: Federal charges filed against suspects in New Kent kidnapping incident

Federal authorities have filed sex trafficking charges against the two suspects arrested in connection with an alleged brutal kidnapping incident last Jan. 6 in New Kent County. Aldair Hodza, 36, and Laura Evelene Sorenson, 31, both of Clive, Iowa, are charged with one count each of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, according to documents filed in federal court in Richmond. The charges were filed on Monday (Feb. 9). Sex trafficking under federal law carries a penalty of 15 years to life in prison. Earlier today (Wednesday), charges of abduction with intent to defile lodged in New Kent against…
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New Kent women arrested on drug possession charges

Two New Kent women have been arrested stemming from a Feb. 8 incident for allegedly possessing heroin and drug paraphernalia. Cierra Elizabeth Lane, 24, and Mary Ann Russo, 23, both of the 7600 block of Shooter Run Road, were arrested after investigators received a call of suspicious activity at Rick’s Local Deli in New Kent. According to the arrest report, deputies were dispatched to the store and located the two suspects inside a vehicle. During an investigation, deputies discovered what appeared to be heroin and material associated with use of the substance. Both suspects were arrested on one charge each…
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CC man arrested for shoplifting at Providence Forge Food Lion

A Charles City man has been arrested in New Kent for allegedly shoplifting at the Providence Forge Food Lion. John Alvin Brown, 45, of the 14000 block of The Glebe Lane, Charles City, was arrested on one count of shoplifting (3rd offense) stemming from a Feb. 4 incident. According to the arrest report, Brown allegedly stole several cans of crab meat from the building. After further investigation, it was determined that it was Brown’s third offense for shoplifting, triggering the felony charge. He was being held on $2,500 bond at Henrico Jail East.

Information on credit/debit card number theft sought in New Kent

New Kent Sheriff’s Office is seeking information relating to a recent rash of credit/debit card number thefts and their unauthorized use. Investigators are working with financial institutions to investigate these crimes. If anyone wants to report that they were a victim of credit/debit card theft or has information on the cases, call the sheriff’s office at 966-9500.

Federal authorities take over kidnapping case after New Kent charges are dropped

Charges of abduction with intent to defile lodged in New Kent against an Iowa couple at the center of an alleged brutal kidnapping during which a young woman allegedly endured torture, starvation, and sexual abuse have been dropped. The case and the suspects are now in the hands of federal authorities. County commonwealth’s attorney Linwood Gregory announced the decision to drop the local charges and transfer custody of the suspects to federal authorities today (Wednesday) in New Kent General District Court. The suspects, Aldair Hodza, 36, and Laura Evelene Sorenson, 31, both of Clive, Iowa, had been scheduled to undergo…
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Preliminary hearing postponed for New Kent man arrested in county’s largest marijuana growing operation

A preliminary hearing for Daniel Ray Norwood, the New Kent man caught up in what local law enforcement officials have labeled the largest marijuana bust in county history, has been postponed until April 7. The hearing had been scheduled for Tuesday in New Kent General District Court, but county commonwealth’s attorney Linwood Gregory said the delay was forced because an analysis of the marijuana seized has not been received from the state crime lab. Norwood, 54, faces one felony count each of manufacturing marijuana, possession of marijuana (more than five pounds) with intent to distribute, and possession of a firearm…
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Fire contained in New Kent

New Kent supervisors approve CUP amendment for Colonial Downs

Following the recommendation of New Kent’s Planning Commission, county supervisors voted unanimously to approve an amendment to a conditional use permit (CUP) allowing Colonial Downs to host accessory events. Those events include the county fair, rodeos, and running events. That amendment, however, excludes events such as truck-pulling, mud bogs, and monster trucks. The amendment, that applies to the CUP adopted in 2002, removes language in the CUP that requires track officials to hold a current and valid pari-mutuel horseracing license issued by the Virginia Racing Commission. Last October, Colonial Downs’ owner Jeff Jacobs surrendered the racetrack’s license to the VRC….
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Routine traffic stop leads to arrest in Charles City

A Richmond man faces a felony charge after a background check during a routine traffic stop in Charles City. James Edward Williams Jr., 54, of the 1300 block of Bull Run Drive, was arrested on multiple traffic charges stemming from the Feb. 4 stop. According to the police report, Williams allegedly failed to stop at a stop sign at the intersection of Wayside and Roxbury Road and was pulled over by a deputy. After a check, it was revealed Williams’ license had been revoked after he was declared a habitual offender. Williams is charged with driving as a habitual offender…
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