Alleged escapee indicted on 17 charges by New Kent Grand Jury
A New Kent man who escaped from Henrico Jail East has been indicted on several charges related to offenses that were allegedly committed afterwards.
Howard Allen Groffel, 52, currently of Henrico Jail East, was indicted on 17 charges during Monday morning grand jury proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court.
According to the indictments, Groffel escaped Henrico Jail East on the night of Apr. 25 and entered a vehicle, stealing a wallet and credit cards belonging to Samuel Howard. It is also alleged that he used those cards to purchase a weapon and ammunition.
Groffel is charged with five counts of misdemeanor unlawful purchase of a firearm while under a protective order, four counts of obtaining a credit card without permission of the owner, two counts each of transport of a weapon by a violent felon and transport of ammunition by a violent felon, and one count each of escape from prison, grand larceny, misdemeanor carrying a concealed weapon, and misdemeanor tampering with a vehicle. Groffel’s trial is tentatively set for Dec. 21.
In other indictments certified by the grand jury:
–James William Arehart, 39, of the 400 block of Coalfield Road, Midlothian, on one count each of construction fraud and embezzlement. The defendant allegedly did not complete work in the amount of $2,150 and also stole a television mount belonging to Karyn Wilson Victory.
–Landry Allen Bailey, 23, of the 6300 block of Lone Eagle Trail, Charles City, on one charge each of grand larceny and possession of a schedule I or II substance. The defendant allegedly stole money from Romaro Salvador and had an illegal substance on him upon his arrest on June 5.
–Kristen Paige Baumgardner, 21, of the 5700 block of Emmaus Church Road, New Kent, on a single charge of grand larceny. Baumgardner allegedly stole money belonging to Garrett and Ellen Ross.
–Christopher Lee Carter, 33, of the 1900 block of Betner Court, Sandston, on one charge of possession of cocaine. Carter allegedly was in control of the substance on Jan. 19.
–Demone Antonio Hicks, 23, of the 600 block of E. 15th Street, Richmond, on two counts each of manufacturing a controlled substance (cocaine) and conspiracy to distribute cocaine, and a single charge of attempting to destroy evidence related to a felony charge. The alleged offenses took place on Feb. 15.
–Sarah Elizabeth Hodges, 22, of the 1000 block of Kings Pond Drive, Quinton, on a single charge of possession of a controlled substance. The alleged offense occurred on June 24.
–Beatrice Yvonne Horton, 55, of the 2700 block of Windsor Shades Lane, Providence Forge, on a lone charge of possession of cocaine. Horton allegedly had the substance on June 20.
–Brian Eugene Moore, 46, of the 200 block of Peach Street, Williamsburg, on one count each of driving as a habitual offender (second offense), DUI after being convicted of a related felony offense, and unauthorized use of a vehicle. Moore allegedly took the vehicle belong to Jennifer Peters and was observed operating it while under the influence of alcohol or a drug.
–Katelyn Marie Profitt, 22, of the 14000 block of The Glebe Lane, Charles City, on a lone charge of embezzlement. The defendant allegedly stole money while being employed by Food Lion.
–Michele Ann Straitiff, 57, of 10A S. Conococheague Street, Williamsport, Maryland, on one count each of grand larceny and breaking and entering. The defendant allegedly broke into the home of Ken Gilman and stole his Toyota Tundra on June 23.
–Brian Matthew Thomas, 40, of the 8100 block of Roaring Springs Road, Gloucester, on one count of possession of cocaine. The defendant allegedly had possession of the substance on May 28.
–James Paul Walton, 31, of the 6600 block of Jackson Road, Quinton, on a solo charge of driving revoked after being convicted on a felony related offense (second or subsequent offense). Walton allegedly committed the offense on May 1.