New Kent man to serve three months in jail after apparent drug overdose

A New Kent man who was found unconscious after an apparent drug overdose will serve three months in jail for possessing the illegal substance.

Justin Tyler McLaughlin, 26, of the 6300 block of Hopewell Road, accepted an agreement by entering a plea of guilty to one count of possession of heroin during May 1 proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court.

In a summary of evidence, on Sept. 15, 2016, Deputy Eric Quarles responded to an emergency call at the home of the defendant. Upon arriving, he saw McLaughlin passed out on the bathroom floor. Located near the defendant was a needle and a spoon with brown residue, later identified as heroin by a lab analysis report. McLaughlin was taken to a hospital for treatment and after recovering, was arrested.

Under the plea deal, he received a 10-year sentence with nine years, nine months suspended (three months to serve.)

In other circuit court proceedings:

–Justin Earl Ball, 25 received formal sentencing on one count of larceny and will serve his time in Community Corrections Alternative Program. During a Mar. 13 trial, Ball admitted that he stole a digital camera and bottles of liquor and sold the items for money to feed a drug habit.

Ball received a five-year suspended sentence on the lone count of larceny with all time suspended after qualifying for the alternative program. He was sentenced to time served on the felony failure to appear and must also pay $1,360 in restitution.

–Kevin Eugene Squire Sr., 47, of the 2900 block of Candle Circle, Chesapeake, received formal sentencing on one count each of possession of cocaine and misdemeanor possession of marijuana. Squire was found guilty during a Mar. 6 trial. Evidence presented showed he had been pulled over for a traffic offense and was discovered to be in possession of the illegal items.

Squire was sentence to 10 years in jail with all but three months suspended on the possession of cocaine charge. A 30-day suspended sentence was handed to him on the misdemeanor charge but he must pay a fine of $500 ($250 suspended).

–Tiffany Nicole Street, of Norfolk, entered into a plea agreement pleading guilty to one count each of felony destruction of property and grand larceny. One charge of burglary was dropped. Street admitted to committing the offenses on Aug. 1, 2015.

Under the agreement, she received five-year sentences on each charge with all time suspended. However, she must pay restitution in the amount of $3,977.