Williamsburg man found guilty after trooper detects marijuana, discovers cocaine during fuel stop

A Williamsburg man admitted guilt to possessing cocaine after Monday morning proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court.

Carlos Lamont Erskines, 39, of the 100 block of Winterset Pass, entered a guilty plea to the lone count of possession of cocaine as part of a plea agreement.

In a summary of evidence provided by Commonwealth’s Attorney Linwood Gregory, on Nov. 14, 2018, a Virginia State Trooper was fueling up his patrol car at the A-Plus off exit 220 (West Point) when a black Infinity pulled next to his. When the driver exited the vehicle, an odor of marijuana emitted from the direction of the car and towards the officer. When the driver, later identified as Erskines, returned to the car, the officer questioned him about the odor. Erskines admitted that he had marijuana earlier in the day.

With probable cause now in play, the state trooper searched both Erskines and the vehicle. While the vehicle yielded no results, in the pockets of Erskines was a scale with a white powder substance and two bags of powdery substance. A field test and later analysis identified the powder as cocaine and the defendant was arrested, later admitted that he sometimes mixed the cocaine with the marijuana.

Formal sentencing for Erskines is set for Feb. 10, 2020. Sentencing guidelines recommend a range from one year to two years, four months to serve.

In other circuit court procedures:

–Robert Earl Davis, 30, of P.O. Box 223, Providence Forge, entered guilty pleas to one count each of distribution of cocaine and distribution of methamphetamine as part of a plea agreement. One charge of distribution of a controlled substance was dropped.

In a summary of evidence, on Oct. 21, 2018, the Twin Rivers Task Force conducted a controlled buy with a confidential informant. Davis, the target, met up with the informant and sold the suspect the illegal substances. A subsequent traffic stop led to his arrest.

Under the agreement, Davis received a 10-year sentence with eight years, 10 months suspended (two months to serve) on the distribution of cocaine conviction. All 10 years on the distribution of methamphetamine were suspended.

–Julie C. Smith, 46, of the 1100 block of Duncan Drive, Williamsburg, entered in a pending plea deal to one count of obtaining money by false pretenses and an amended charge of misdemeanor failure to appear (originally felony failure to appear).

In a summary of evidence, a New Kent deputy responded for a call for service about a possible check fraud in Lanexa Plaza. The payroll check was written to Elizabeth Perkins, but it was returned by the bank. The payroll check came from Stratus Painting, in which the owner indicated that Smith was allowed to stay in his home while he was out of the country. More investigation revealed that several checks were taken, and they were not authorized to be used, resulting in Smith’s arrest and confession.

The plea agreement is pending Smith’s acceptance into the Friends of Guest Hand rehabilitation center. If she is admitted, she will serve a 10-year sentence with all but one month suspended on the obtaining money by false pretenses charge. She will also serve one month on the misdemeanor failing to appear charge, as well as pay $750 in restitution.