New Kent Charles City Chronicle

News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | March 29, 2024

Evidence in case enough to convict Providence Forge man of sex crime

By Andre Jones | January 29, 2018 9:17 pm

Evidence presented in a trial Monday morning in New Kent Circuit Court will be sufficient to convict a Providence Forge man of a sex crime.

Luke Nathaniel Henning, 37, of the 3200 block of Mount Pleasant Road, entered a not guilty plea to a single charge of having indecent acts with a minor while the child was in his care. However, the defendant said evidence presented in the trial would be enough to find him guilty of the offense.

In a summary of evidence presented by special prosecutor Clay Blanton, on July 8, 2017, the victim was sleeping in a bed when Henning entered the room. The defendant climbed into the bed with the underage girl, removing her shirt and groping her breasts. Henning also committed other crimes, but according to Blanton, did not have any type of sexual intercourse. The victim alerted authorities later and Henning was arrested. The defendant told a detective that something occurred but disputed other claims.

No formal finding was rendered as a presentence report is being prepared. Formal sentencing is scheduled for Apr. 9, but the charge carries a maximum of 10 years in prison.

In other circuit court proceedings:

–Joshua Lewis Francis, 22, of the 5600 block of Lakeside Drive, Henrico, entered straight guilty pleas to three counts of credit card larceny and one count of grand larceny.

In a summary of evidence, on Oct. 2, 2017, a Hanover investigator was seeking information relating to thefts from many job sites in Hanover. The investigation led to a company who had sent workers to do repair work at several homes. An employee of that repair company, later identified as Francis, was working in New Kent on a site when the investigator worked with New Kent authorities to locate him. After Francis was arrested at the current job site, it was discovered that he had three credit cards and jewelry belonging to Robert Wilson in a cooler that he carried with him. The defendant admitted that he had stolen those items shortly before his apprehension and admitted he pawned the items to buy drugs.

Formal sentencing is scheduled for Apr. 16, but guidelines recommend a sentence range of seven months to one year, five months. The defendant will also be evaluated to see if he qualifies for the Detention and Diversion program.

–Samuel Patrick Nye, 34, of the 6400 block of Hickory Road, Quinton, received formal sentencing on a single count of possession of heroin. On Nov. 20, 2017, Nye was found a guilty during a contested trial. At that trial, it was revealed that the defendant was going to work as an informant. But prior to being sent out to make a controlled purchase, residue was discovered in a pill bottle inside his vehicle. The residue was tested and revealed to be heroin.

Nye received a five-year jail sentence with all but 10 months suspended. He was also ordered to complete the RISE program.