New Kent Charles City Chronicle

News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | March 28, 2024

Man receives year-long jail term for driving intoxicated on motorcycle in New Kent

By Andre Jones | May 7, 2018 5:20 pm

A Fredericksburg man will spend a year in jail after pleading guilty to driving under the influence (third offense).
Mikel William Apperson, 29, of the 14000 block of Antler Road, entered the plea as part of Monday afternoon proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court.

In a summary of evidence provided by Commonwealth’s Attorney Linwood Gregory, on Nov. 12, 2017, a Virginia State Trooper was monitoring Interstate 64 eastbound traffic at the rest area when he noticed a yellow motorcycle passing vehicles on the emergency lanes. The trooper began pursuing the bike, with speeds exceeding 90 miles per hour before the vehicle pulled over at mile marker 219.

The officer approached the driver, who identified himself as Apperson. The defendant told the officer that he had no license and he didn’t hear the sirens due to wearing earbuds and listening to music. The officer noticed the scent of alcohol and the driver’s bloodshot eyes and conducted a field sobriety test. After failing those tests, Apperson told the officer that he had drank the night before and had a drank that morning. He also advised the trooper that he had been convicted of two previous DUI’s, something that was later confirmed. Apperson was then taken into custody.

The defendant received a five-year jail sentence with four years suspended (one year to serve). He must also pay a fine of $1,000 and $50 to the trauma fund.

In an unrelated case, a Sandston man entered a guilty plea to a reduced drug-related charge.

Christopher Lee Carter, 33, of the 1900 block of Betner Court, entered a guilty plea to an amended charge of misdemeanor accessory after the fact in a felony (originally possession of cocaine). Carter received a 12-month sentence with all time suspended on a charge that stemmed from Jan. 19, 2017.