Providence Forge Rite Aid robber sentenced to two-year jail term

Richard Carlton May

A Lanexa man who robbed the Rite Aid store in Providence Forge will spend the next two years in jail.

Richard Carlton May, 51, of the 300 block of Wahrani Trail, received his formal sentence during Aug. 28 proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court. He entered Alford pleas of guilt to one count each of robbery of a business and possession of oxycodone during his June 12 trial.

On Oct. 17, 2016, May went into the Rite Aid store in Providence Forge. Inside, he met the pharmacist in the breakroom and began to demand 30-milligram oxycodone pills. After the pharmacist refused to give him the pills, the defendant made a gesture, suggesting that he may have a firearm. The pharmacist, fearing his life, gave May 86 five-milligram pills.

May exited the store and local authorities were notified. The defendant’s vehicle was encountered traveling westbound on Route 60 (Pocahontas Trail) and a brief pursuit ensued. Spike strips were eventually deployed to bring May’s truck to a halt. A search of his vehicle retrieved 81 oxycodone pills as well as the discovery of a firearm.

During his sentencing, May apologized for his actions, saying that he was going through a troubling time in his life.

“I was wrong. I was addicted,” the defendant said. “I should have gone to the hospital. The addiction had taken control of me and I was out of my mind.”

May received a 20-year jail sentence with 18 years suspended (two to serve) on the robbery of a business conviction. All five years on the possession of a controlled substance charge were suspended.

In other circuit court cases:

–Kris Edwards Cash, 51, formerly of the 7300 block of Club Drive, Quinton, agreed to terms of a plea deal and entered a guilty plea to a single count of failure to register as a violent offender (second offense).

In a summary of evidence, Virginia State Police notified Cash that he needed to re-register as a violent offender by Feb. 1. When the defendant did not provide information in a timely manner, he was arrested and taken into custody.

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

–Melissa Dawn Crewe, 42, formerly of the 3600 block of Poverty Hall Road, Quinton, entered a guilty plea to an amended charge of misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia (originally possession of cocaine) as part of a plea agreement.

In a summary of evidence, on Mar. 3, Crewe and her boyfriend Charles Kirby got into an argument with neighbors involving a protective order. As authorities approached to address the situation, Kirby and Crewe proceeded to their residence, located on the same driveway. Police stopped the vehicle and conducted a search of the vehicle on the suspicion that a firearm may be present. Drug paraphernalia was found on the passenger’s side of the vehicle where Crewe was sitting, leading to her arrest.

Under the plea agreement, she received a 12-month sentence with all time suspended. However, she was placed on supervised probation and instructed to undergo counseling.

–David Esau Morris, 40, of 42 A Pasture Drive, Poquoson, entered a straight guilty plea to one count of possession of ammunition by a convicted felon.

In a summary of evidence, on Dec. 26, 2016, conservation officers were patrolling in Barhamsville when they noticed a vehicle parked with its doors open. Moments later, two men wearing camouflage and hunting gear returned to it and the conservation officers asked to see their hunting licenses. Morris provided his license but was told by the officers that he did not have the proper credentials. Morris then confessed that he was a convicted felon and was arrested. A body search of the defendant resulted in the recovery of shotgun shells in his pocket.

Formal sentencing is scheduled for November, but under sentencing guidelines call for a range of one year, three months to three years, one month to serve.

–Darren Wright Snyder, 46, of the 9300 block of Howard Drive, Mechanicsville, entered a straight guilty plea to one count each of felony driving revoked/endangerment and felony DUI after being previously convicted of a similar offense.

In a summary of evidence, at 11:30 p.m. on Dec. 2, 2016, a New Kent deputy observed a truck traveling east on Route 60 and get into the left lane to pass another vehicle. The truck proceeded to pass the vehicle but made an erratic change into the right lane, cutting off recently passed vehicle. The officer followed, noticing the truck cross over the outside boundary line six times. The truck pulled over near the Providence Forge area and the driver tried to exit the vehicle after placing it in reverse. The officer, who was behind the truck, was able to get Snyder to park the vehicle before exiting. Upon detecting the smell of alcohol, the officer conducted a field sobriety test. Snyder failed it and was arrested. A background search revealed that Snyder had a revoked license that stemmed from an earlier DUI conviction.

Formal sentencing is scheduled for Oct 23, but he will serve at least two years in jail as a minimal mandatory sentence required under state law.

–Sheena Charde Stokes, 31, of the 700 block of Rutherford Street, Hampton, entered a no contest plea to one count to possession of cocaine.

In a summary of evidence, shortly after 4 a.m. on Oct. 23, 2016, a state trooper re-entering his vehicle after working an incident on Interstate 64. As he entered his patrol car, a car passed in close proximity to him. The trooper tracked down the vehicle and identified the driver as Stokes. After detecting the scent of marijuana, the trooper conducted a search and found a white powdery substance in her pocket later identified as cocaine. The defendant was arrested and taken into custody.

No formal finding has been made as the defendant is expected to undergo counseling and treatment. Formal sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 23.

–Elton Jamal Thompson, 30, of the 1800 block of Elkridge Lane, Richmond, accepted a plea deal and entered a guilty plea to one count of misdemeanor DUI (second offense). One charge of possession of a controlled substance was dropped.

In a summary of evidence, on June 30, 2016 just before 11 p.m., a state trooper was called to assist a high-speed chase entering New Kent on Interstate 64. The trooper spotted the suspect’s vehicle traveling eastbound, identifying it as a van with no headlights on. As the officer pursued the vehicle at speeds that reached 110 miles per hour, the van attempted to cross the “authorized personnel only” median at mile marker 217. But as the defendant attempted to make the turn, he noticed a patrol car blocking it, forcing the van to attempt to get back on the interstate. Instead, the van crashed into the embankment. The driver, later identified by Thompson, refused a breathalyzer test. After detecting the smell of alcohol the trooper obtained a search warrant to get a sample of the defendant’s blood while he was treated at a local medical facility. The BAC came back over the legal limit and the defendant was taken into custody.

As part of the plea agreement, Thompson received a 12-month jail sentence with all but three months suspended. He also received a $1,000 fine with $500 suspended.