Henrico Jail inmates convicted on charge for breaking fire protection system

Two Henrico Jail East inmates who broke sprinkler heads in separate incidents both entered guilty pleas during Monday afternoon proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court.

John Terrance Edgefield, 28, and Treione Gholson, 22, accepted plea agreements as part of their cases heard on the incidents. Each defendant was charged with one count of breaking a fire protection system at a jail facility.

In Edgefield’s case, a summary of evidence revealed that on Nov. 5, 2019 around 6:20 p.m., officers at Henrico Jail East responded to a fire alarm that went off in the facility. During the investigation, information was tracked to Edgefield’s cell, where a sprinkler head was broken. The defendant admitted to the offence during an investigation conducted by jail personnel.

Just three days later on Nov. 8, 2019, guards responded to a cell at 11:54 p.m. to Gholson’s cell. Gholson popped off the sprinkler head of his cell, causing flooding inside of it. He also admitted to the crime during an internal investigation.

Edgefield received a three-year jail sentence with two years, six months suspended (six months to serve) for committing his crime. Gholson received a term of three years, with two years, nine months suspended (three months to serve). Both defendants must also pay restitution for repairs to the system.

In other circuit court cases heard on Monday:

–Louis Angel Renteria, 36, of the 8400 block of Burks Mill Drive, North, entered a guilty plea on a single count of possession of a schedule I/II substance as part of an agreement.

In a summary of evidence, a New Kent Sheriff’s Office deputy conducted a traffic stop on June 17, 2019 where the defendant was driving. Upon speaking with the defendant, Renteria admitted to the officer that he had a “baggie” on his waistband. Renteria was arrested for the illegal substance that turned out to be methamphetamine after a laboratory test was conducted.

Under the agreement, Renteria received a 10-year sentence with nine years, 10 months suspended (two months to serve). He must also pay a fine of $500.

–Hannah Lynn Schureman, 18, of the 5000 block of Holly Road, Quinton, plead guilty to a lone count of possession of a schedule I/II substance.

In a summary of evidence, on July 16, 2019, a New Kent officer was patrolling Pocahontas Trail (Route 60) when he noticed a license plate light out on the vehicle. A traffic stop was initiated and upon inspection of the vehicle, the deputy noticed an open beer can in the back of the car. When speaking with the driver of the vehicle, a statement was made that drug paraphernalia was in the vehicle. A subsequent search discovered the substance inside a purse belonging to Schureman. The defendant was arrested, and the substance was later identified to be Hashish Oil by a laboratory test.

No formal finding was made on the defendant as she will be placed in the First Offender Program. If she completes the one year program successfully, the charge will be dismissed.

–Brenda Palmer Smith, 59, of Williamsburg, Virginia, entered a no contest plea to one count of misdemeanor reckless driving as part of a plea agreement. One charge of felony child abuse was dropped.

In a summary of evidence, Smith was employed as a bus driver for New Kent Public Schools on Nov. 14, 2019 when she drove across a railroad track with a train approaching. According to New Kent Commonwealth’s Attorney Scott Renick, a statement was made by the defendant on the tape that “We’re not going to stop today,” in reference for the bus making it to the school on time. The bus cleared the track with 50 yards to spare, but the experience resulted in the charges and her dismissal from the school system.

Under the agreement, Smith received a 90-day sentence with 60 days suspended (30 days to serve) on the conviction. She must also pay a fine of $1,000.