Waterview man sentenced to 30-month prison term in New Kent Circuit Court

A Waterview man will spend the next two-and-a-half years in prison after receiving formal sentencing during Oct. 16 proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court.

Zachary Widmark, 21, of 85 Parrots Creek Lane, received a five-year sentence with all but two years suspended on a charge of possession of a firearm while in possession of a controlled substance (LSD). The two years to serve is a mandatory minimum under state statute. He will also serve an additional six months on a single conviction of felony child abuse.

During an Aug. 14 trial, Widmark entered an Alford plea of guilt (meaning while the defendant maintains his innocence, evidence presented at the trial would be enough to convict him of the crimes). At that trial, Lt. J. Joseph McLaughlin III testified that on Oct. 10, 2016, he was operating radar from his patrol car in the Five Lakes subdivision when a vehicle passed him going 47 miles per hour in a posted 25 miles per hour zone. McLaughlin noticed the driver try to cover his face and turned his vehicle around to pursue the vehicle. According to the officer, he located the vehicle traveling westbound on Route 60 (Pocahontas Trail) and a brief chase took place. The defendant’s vehicle came to a stop on Brook Boulevard and McLaughlin was able to approach the defendant in the driver’s seat, who was identified as Widmark.

McLaughlin noticed a baby in the vehicle who was not secured properly, along with a passenger. After placing Widmark into custody, the officer searched the vehicle and encountered a cooler. The contents of the cooler revealed a glass mason jar with plant materials, a plastic bag with plant material, a scale, blotter paper that contained tear-away squares that were known to hold LSD, and a water bong. In the front zipper of the cooler, McLaughlin discovered a Raven .25 caliber handgun. Ammunition for the firearm was discovered in the center console near the radio. Other items found included small plastic bags consisting of marijuana and a pill bottle that contained some pills.

Along with the aforementioned sentences, Widmark also received a 10-year sentence with all time suspended on a lone conviction of possession of a controlled substance (LSD).