Shooting into dwelling nets Charles City man more than three years in prison

A Charles City man who was in possession of a firearm illegally will spend more than three years in prison after accepting a plea deal during Friday morning proceedings in Charles City Circuit Court.

Jesse Edward Mondine, 39, of the 7900 block of Roxbury Road, entered guilty pleas to one count of shooting into an occupied building and possession of a gun by a nonviolent felon.

In a summary of evidence provided by Commonwealth’s Attorney Rob Tyler, on June 23, Mondine was at his stepfather’s residence on Roxbury Road when he was confronted about his alcohol drinking habits. Mondine proceeded to get into a minor physical altercation with his stepfather’s friend who was in the area of the time. Mondine left in a golf cart that had a rifle in it. Moments later, shots entered through the window of the house.

Deputies from Charles City Sheriff’s Office arrived and heard additional gunshots when they entered the premises. After talks, they were able to convince Mondine to emerge from the woods. Upon searching the defendant, ammunition was located on him and Mondine confessed to shooting into the dwelling.

Under the agreement, Mondine received a five-year sentence with three years suspended (two years to serve) on the possession of a gun by a nonviolent felon, the minimal sentence under state statute. He received a 10-year sentence with all but one year suspended on the shooting into an occupied vehicle conviction. The defendant also will serve time for violating probation, resulting in an additional sentence of six months and 105 days.