Hopewell man receives year in jail for sexual interactions with minor

A Hopewell man that had sexual interactions with a minor will spend the next year in jail.

Cordell Lamar Jones, 19, of the 3700 block of Lafayette Street, entered a guilty plea to an amended charge of carnal knowledge without force with a minor between the ages of 13 and 15 (originally rape) during Dec. 15 proceedings in Charles City Circuit Court.

In a summary of evidence provided by Commonwealth’s Attorney Rob Tyler, on Apr. 28 Charles City Sheriff’s Office responded to a call from the victim’s mother. The victim told deputies that she was walking on the bike path near Herring Creek when she was allegedly abducted and raped.

An investigator took over the case and found a man who matched the description the victim had provided through a social media page belonging to the victim. The investigator discovered that Jones and the victim had been interacting through an instant messenger and had agreed to meet up for a sexual encounter. When questioned, Jones admitted he had sex with the victim and that she had told him that her age was 16.

Under the plea agreement, Jones received a 10-year jail sentence with nine years suspended (one to serve). He must also register with the national sex offender database upon his release from confinement.

In another circuit court matter, a Charles City man entered into a plea agreement to a lone count of selling stolen property.

Brandon Deandre Bowman, 27, of the 13000 block of The Glebe Lane, Charles City, entered a guilty plea to the aforementioned charge.

In a summary of evidence, on May 1, Charles City deputies responded to a larceny of boat engines from Christian Hager. Along with the engines, an ATV belonging to Eddie Richardson was also confiscated. After an investigation, Bowman and Dallis Wallace had tried to sell the motors to a local businessman. More evidence discovered that Bowman sold one of the motors and the ATV to a relative for $800.

Under the plea agreement, no formal finding will be rendered as the defendant will try to pay restitution for the stolen items. If the defendant repays restitution, the charge will be dropped to a petty larceny. Formal sentencing is scheduled for Mar. 23.