Mechanicsville man takes plea related to drug charges in New Kent

A Mechanicsville man will enter into a rehabilitation program as part of a plea agreement reached Monday morning in New Kent Circuit Court.

Alexander Matthew Nikolis, 20, of the 8000 block of Rutland Road, entered guilty pleas to an amended charge of misdemeanor accessory after the fact to a felony (originally possession of a schedule II substance), an amended charge of misdemeanor distribution of marijuana (originally felony sale/distribution of marijuana), and three misdemeanor charges of pretrial violations. One count of distributing marijuana was dropped.

In a summary of evidence provided by Commonwealth’s Attorney Linwood Greogry, on Jan. 23, 2017, a New Kent deputy noticed a car with no headlights on as is exited the Pilot Travel Plaza on Route 106 (Emmaus Church Road). The officer followed the vehicle and noticed it weaving back and forth across the center double-striped yellow line. The officer initiated a traffic stop on the suspicion of DUI. As the deputy approached the vehicle and approached the driver, identified as Nikolis, he noticed a strong smell of marijuana. The officer conducted a traffic stop and recovered marijuana, a trace of heroin, and some Xanax pills. Nikolis was arrested and taken into custody.

Under the agreement, all 12 months on the amended charges of misdemeanor accessory after the fact and misdemeanor distribution of marijuana charge, along with all 30 days on one of the pretrial violations were suspended. He will serve 10 days in jail on each of the remaining two pretrial violations (20 days in total.)