Bedford man to serve 18-month sentence for possessing ammunition in New Kent

A Bedford man will spend the next 18 months in jail after pleading guilty to possession of ammunition.

Antoinne Lamont Wright, 31, of the 100 block of Colonial Lane, entered the plea as part of an agreement reached during Oct. 17 proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court. One charge of possession of a weapon by a violent felon was dropped as part of the deal.

In a summary of evidence by Commonwealth’s Attorney Linwood Gregory, on Sept. 4, 2018, Wright was a passenger in a vehicle driven by co-defendant Tyler Bell when an officer noticed an object thrown out the passenger side window. A traffic stop was initiated, and a search of the vehicle discovered a handgun in the center console. While Wright did not own the gun, because he was a convicted felon and by law not supposed to be around ammunition or firearms, he was charged with possession of ammunition.

Under the agreement, Wright received a five-year sentence with three years, six months suspended (one year, six months to serve).

In other circuit court matters:

–Justin Style Bowen, 21, had one charge of possession of marijuana by a prisoner dropped.

–Christopher Lee Davis, 20, of the 19000 block of Tabernacle Road, Barhamsville, entered a guilty plea to an amended charge of simple possession of a controlled substance (originally distribution of a controlled substance). In a summary of evidence, Davis was pulled over for speeding on Farmer’s Drive when an officer detected the smell of marijuana. A subsequent search discovered a book bag filled with LSD. Davis admitted the bag belonged to him and was arrested.

Under the agreement, Davis will enter into the first offender’s program and will have the charge dismissed if he completes it successfully.

–Amber Nicole Deaton, 37, of the 5600 block of Hogan Bridge Drive, Providence Forge, entered a plea of no contest to possession of chemicals by a prisoner.

In a summary of evidence, a routine search of Deaton while she was a prisoner at Henrico Jail East discovered a bottle that was stashed in her crotch area on May 3. Inside the bottle were pills that consisted of amphetamine, Alprazolan, Vyvanse, and cocaine.

Formal sentencing for Deaton is scheduled for Dec. 16 as she is currently undergoing treatment in a rehabilitation program.

–Vanessa Ann Johnson, 46, of the 4900 block of Lewis Puller Memorial Highway, Gloucester, entered a no contest plea to one count of felony embezzlement.

In a summary of evidence, Johnson worked as an employee at Rick’s Local Deli from May 1 to Aug. 16 of this year when the owner noticed items and money missing. A subsequent search and look at surveillance film led to the discovered of Johnson stealing $700 in cash and $250 in merchandise.

A presentence report is being prepared for Johnson, with formal sentencing scheduled for Dec. 16. She was ordered to pay $1,000 in restitution for the crime.

–Eric Jason Strickland, 41, of Bob White Circle, Jesup, Georgia, entered Alford pleas of guilt to an amended charge of misdemeanor contributing to the delinquency of a minor (originally felony child abuse) and misdemeanor DUI (first offense). An Alford plea indicates that while the defendant maintains his innocence, evidence presented in the trial would be enough to convict the defendant of the crime.

In a summary of evidence, on Jan. 11, an officer discovered a vehicle parked on the shoulder of a ramp on Interstate 64. When the officer approached the car, he noticed the driver, identified as Strickland, had glazed eyes. The officer also noticed a child in the rear of the vehicle. After conducting a breathalyzer test, it was discovered the defendant had a blood alcohol content level of .36, more than four times the legal limit.

Strickland received a sentence of 12 months with nine months suspended (three months to serve) on the DUI conviction, with 15 of those days being a mandatory sentenced. All 12 months on the contributing to the delinquency of a minor charge were suspended. The defendant must pay a fine of $150 to the Trauma Fund as a result of his conviction.