Providence Forge woman to serve one year for purchasing ATV without permission

A Providence Forge woman will serve a year in jail for receiving stolen property after receiving formal sentencing during July 11 New Kent Circuit Court proceedings.

Erin Merrill Bierwirth, 34, of the 6700 block of Halstead Lane, received a five-year jail sentence (four years suspended) on one count of receiving stolen goods. Five years on obtaining money by false pretenses were all suspended.

During a Nov. 2015 trial, Bierwith accepted a plea deal to the aforementioned charges. During the hearing, the defendant was a bookkeeper for a business owned by Ronald Marshburn and used his information to purchase an all-terrain vehicle without his permission in June 2015. She also attempted to use a check under the victim’s name to pay for her rent on Aug. 2015.

Under the plea agreement, Bierwirth was evaluated for the Women’s Detention and Diversion Program. However, she failed to qualify, resulting in the alternative one-year term of incarceration. She also must pay $2,050 in restitution.

In an unrelated case, a Chesapeake man will serve three months behind bars for driving under the influence for a third time.

Anthony John Gadzalski, 28, of the 2300 block of Paramont Avenue, received formal sentencing on one count each of DUI (third offense), possession of a controlled substance (adderal), and misdemeanor reckless driving. He admitted guilt to the offenses during a May 2 trial.

On Dec. 10, Gadzalski was pulled over by a state trooper on Interstate 64 for excessive speed. Upon approaching the vehicle, the officer detected an odor of alcohol emanating from the defendant’s vehicle. Gadzalski admitted his license was suspended and was taken into custody. A search of the vehicle revealed 351 Adderal pills in three bottles, triggering the possession charge.

Gadzalski was sentenced to five years on the DUI charge with four years, nine months suspended (three months to serve). No formal finding was rendered on the possession of the controlled substance. His license was also suspended indefinitely in addition to the DUI charge, along with an added six months on the possession charge and 90 days on the reckless driving conviction.