Undercover drug bust lands Richmond man in jail for one year

A Richmond man targeted as part of a drug bust operation in New Kent accepted a plea agreement during proceedings Monday in New Kent Circuit Court.

Jerel Demetric Mayo, 28, of the 300 block of Dabbs Horse Road, entered guilty pleas to one count each of distribution of a controlled substance (heroin) and possession of a controlled substance (cocaine).

In a summary of evidence provided by Commonwealth’s Attorney Linwood Gregory, on Sept. 20, 2018, the Twin Rivers Drug Task Force conducted a control buy from the defendant. A confidential informant met Mayo inside the McDonald’s in Bottoms Bridge. The two entered the restroom where the informant purchased heroin. After the informant turned the drugs and surveillance equipment, a traffic stop was executed where Mayo was the passenger of the vehicle. The defendant was arrested and a search on him resulted in locating cocaine.

Under the plea agreement, Mayo received a 10-year sentence with nine years suspended (one to serve) on the distribution of cocaine charge. He received five years with all time suspended on the possession of cocaine charge.

In other circuit court cases:

–Dustin Joseph Johnson, 18, of the 2600 block of Yurnell Road, Richmond, entered a guilty plea to one count of possession of a controlled substance (LSD) as part of a plea agreement.

In a summary of evidence, on Sept. 29, 2018, a deputy responded to a traffic stop where the defendant was heading home. When Johnson appeared nervous when questioned by the officer, the deputy walked around the car and noticed a green, plant-like material in the back floorboard. With probably cause, he searched the car and located a small piece of paper that had LSD inside. Johnson was arrested and taken into custody.

Under the agreement, no formal finding has been rendered as the defendant has been placed in the first offender program.

–Steven Alonzo Lawrence, 53, of the 5900 block of Golden Wheel Road, Providence Forge, entered guilty pleas to one count each of felony eluding and misdemeanor reckless driving as part of a plea agreement.

In a summary of evidence, on Dec. 17, 2018, a New Kent deputy traveling in Providence Forge noticed a car with expired registration traveling on the Boulevard. When the deputy ran the vehicle’s license plate, a warrant from York County was issued against the driver, identified by Lawrence due to previous encounters with law enforcement. When the deputy attempted to stop the vehicle, Lawrence cut through the Citgo parking lot before speeding eastbound on Route 60 (Pocahontas Trail) at speeds reaching up to 100 miles per hour. As Lawrence attempted to cut through a Citgo parking lot in Lanexa, he lost control and jumped out in an attempt to escape on foot. However, the defendant fell, and officers were able to bring him take him into custody.

Under the agreement, Lawrence received a five-year sentence with four years suspended (one year active) under the felony eluding conviction. He will serve six months of a 12-month sentence on the reckless driving conviction.

–Susan Marie Lewis, 53, of the 3700 block of Bruteer Lane, Richmond entered a no contest plea to an amended charge of misdemeanor interference with property rights of an owner (originally credit card larceny) as part of a plea agreement.

In a summary of evidence, on Oct. 16, 2018, the defendant resided in the home of Roxanne Maleifino. Lewis took a credit card in the victim’s name and made purchases. When questioned by police, the defendant said that she had permission from Maleifino to make purchases and had used it before. However, the victim said the card Lewis had in her possession hadn’t been used in two months and that she didn’t have permission to make purchases on that day.

Under the agreement, Lewis received a 12-month jail sentence with all but four days suspended. She must also pay restitution in the total amount of $584.51.

–Willie Lee Scott, 47, of the 2400 block of Courtney avenue, Norfolk, entered guilty pleas to an amended charge of failing to have a driving license (originally felony driving as a habitual offender) and misdemeanor possession of marijuana.

In a summary of evidence, a Virginia State Trooper monitoring traffic on Interstate 64 near mile marker 224 noticed a vehicle approaching at a high rate of speed. The officer conducted a traffic stop and when he asked the driver for identification, the driver said he did not have a license. Upon the questioning of the defendant, the trooper detected the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle and conducted a search, locating marijuana butts. Scott was arrested and taken into custody shortly afterwards.

Under the plea agreement, Scott received a 60-day sentence with all time suspended on the failing to have a driver’s license conviction. However, he must pay a $250 fine. He will serve a 10-day active jail sentence on the misdemeanor possession of marijuana conviction.