Motorcycle pursuit in New Kent results in Hampton man’s six-month jail sentence

A Newport News man who eluding police last May in New Kent County will spend six months in jail after receiving formal sentencing Monday morning.

Tracy Bunting Jr., 32, of the 400 block of North Trellis Court, learned his disposition as part of proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court.

During a June 13 trial, Bunting entered into an agreement and pled guilty to one count of felony eluding of police. During his trial, evidence showed that on May 11, a Virginia State Trooper noticed a motorcycle traveling at a high rate of speed on Route 106 (Emmaus Church Road) before exiting onto Interstate 64 eastbound. When the officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop, the bike entered into the eastbound rest area and slowed down before accelerating again. A pursuit ensued with speeds reaching 112 miles per hour before the motorcycle used Exit 220 (West Point) to leave the main highway. Shortly after exiting, the operator of the motorcycle stopped and was taken into custody without incident.

Bunting received a two-year sentence with one year, six months suspended (six months to serve). Judge B. Elliott Bondurant cited that the plea agreement called for a maximum of 11 months but credited the defendant’s good behavior and acknowledged that he may have PTSD due to serving in the military. Bondurant added as part of the condition of his suspended sentence that Bunting must continue to seek mental health treatment from the VA Hospital.

In other circuit court proceedings:

–Keely Carter, of Hampton, had one charge of grand theft auto nolle prosequi due to not being competent to stand trial. According to New Kent Commonwealth Attorney Scott Renick, an evaluation conducted indicated that Carter could not be rehabilitated to the point to stand trial for her actions.

–Logan Wayne Ownby, 29, of the 6100 block of Pine Fork Road, entered a guilty plea to proposing sex to a minor via an electronic device as part of a plea agreement. One charge of misdemeanor violating of a protective order was dropped as part of the deal.

Evidence presented in the trial indicated that on Feb. 1, Ownby had contacted an underage victim and made advances to her by the use of an electronic device. After an investigation, Ownby was charged and arrested on the crime.

Under the agreement, Ownby received a three-year sentence with two years, seven months suspended (five months to serve). He must also register on the National Sex Offender registry.