Lanexa man to serve 12 months for assaulting family member at Ford dealership

A Lanexa man will spend 12 months in jail after entering a guilty plea to an amended charge of misdemeanor assault and battery of a family member during Monday afternoon proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court.

John Lewis Aston, 34, of the 16000 block of New Kent Highway, pled guilty to the aforementioned offense (originally assault and battery of a family member, third or subsequent offense) as part of plea agreement. He also entered a guilty plea to an amended charge of misdemeanor failure to appear (originally felony failure to appear). One charge of misdemeanor damaging a phone line was dropped as part of the plea deal.

In a summary of evidence presented by New Kent Assistant Commonwealth Attorney Greg Overholser, on Feb. 6, New Kent Sheriff’s Office responded to a call of an altercation at the Ford dealership in Eltham. Upon arriving, deputies encountered both the victim and Aston. During the investigation, it was determined that Aston was the aggressor in the altercation between the two relatives, with the victim suffering injuries due to Aston pushing them down.

Under the agreement, Aston received a 12-month sentence on the misdemeanor assault and battery of a family member conviction. He will also serve the maximum sentence of 10 days in jail for failing to appear for his trial on the aforementioned case when it was scheduled in June.

In other circuit court proceedings:

–David Pasqual Blanchette, of Virginia Beach, pled guilty to one count each of felony eluding of police and misdemeanor reckless driving as part of a plea deal. One charge of misdemeanor driving without a license was dropped as part of the agreement.

In a summary of evidence, on Nov. 28, 2021, a Virginia State Trooper was patrolling traffic on Interstate 64 when a vehicle entered the radar going more than 85 miles per hour. When the officer attempted to pull over the vehicle, it accelerated in attempts to lose the patrol car. Eventually, the driver, identified as Blanchette, was arrested on the offenses.

Under the plea agreement, he received a three-year sentence with two years, 10 months suspended on the felony eluding of police conviction (two months to serve). He received a 12-month sentence with all time suspended on the misdemeanor reckless driving conviction but has to pay a $2,500 fine for committing the crime.

–Shane Wescott Matthews, 34, of the 3400 block of Tealwood Court, Quinton, entered a guilty plea to a charge of possession of a Schedule I/II drug as part of a plea agreement.

In a summary of evidence, on Jan. 13, 2014, New Kent Sheriff’s Office had received information from an informant that they had received some pills from Matthews. Deputies approached Matthews about the incident and recovered some pills, later determined to be amphetamine after a lab analysis. Defense attorney Edward Riley commented that the pills were Adderall, and that the defendant had a prescription for them.

Under the agreement, no formal sentencing was rendered as the defendant will have a year to complete 100 hours of community service while remaining drug free. If Matthews successfully completes those tasks, the charge will be dismissed.