Former New Kent Pilot employee receives eight-month sentence for embezzlement

By Andre Jones | April 25, 2022 11:00 am

A Charles City man who embezzled several thousands of dollars while being employed at Pilot in New Kent will spend the next eight months in jail.

Thomas Alexander Bevins, 28, of the 4500 block of Rockinghorse Lane, entered a guilty plea to one count of embezzlement as part of Monday morning proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court.

In a summary of evidence by New Kent Assistant Commonwealth Attorney Greg Overholser, on Nov. 17, 2021, a New Kent deputy responded for a call for service to the store located on Emmaus Church Road. The officer spoke with the general manager, who indicated that Bevins, who was now a former employee, may have stolen money from the cash register.

An investigation followed, revealing that Bevins was taking money from the cash register and loading it onto a debit card. Bevins would use that card for his own purposes afterwards. Surveillance film matched up with the times that the debit card was loaded, leading to the defendant’s arrest.

Under the agreement, Bevins received a five-year sentence with four years, four months suspended (eight months to serve). He must also pay $14,501.40 in restitution.

In an unrelated case, a Richmond man entered a no contest plea to an amended charge of obtaining money by false pretenses.

William J. Wine, 38, of the 1500 block of Ethridge Road, was originally charged with construction fraud. However, he entered a no-contest plea to the misdemeanor, stipulating that evidence presented during a trial would be enough to convict him of the offense.

In a summary of evidence, on Feb. 8, 2021, a New Kent deputy responded to a complaint by Gary Lee McDowell that he had hired Wine to complete work on his home. The victim indicated that he had provided two checks of $2,500 to the defendant as prepayment to assist with the purchase of supplies. However, no services were ever rendered on the home.

Under the agreement, formal sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 22 to allow McDowell time to pay restitution in the case.