Quinton man receives two years for attempting to commit indecent acts with minor

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A Quinton man who attempted to commit sexual acts with a child will spend the next two years in jail.

Joshua Lee Carpenter received formal sentencing on one count each of a parent violating the rights of a child (less than 15 years of age) and attempted sodomy with a minor during Monday morning proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court.

During a Sept. 15, 2022 trial, Carpenter pled not guilty to crimes of indecent acts with a child by a parent and sodomy as part of a jury trial. During that trial, evidence presented by New Kent Commonwealth Attorney Scott Renick showed a five-second video of Carpenter attempting to have some sort of sexual interaction with a child. That video was shown multiple times to a jury, who convicted the defendant on the two amended charges.

During sentencing, Renick argued that the guidelines for the crime did not fit the time he believed the defendant needed to serve.

“We have laws in place to protect children like this,” Renick argued. “The defendant took advantage of a child that was nine months old.

“He doesn’t need to be anywhere near a child and the best way to do that is to send him to prison,” the Commonwealth attorney continued. “I’m asking that you send him to 10 years in prison on the parent violating a child charge and 10 years on the attempted sodomy.”

But despite Renick’s argument, Judge William Shaw pointed to the defendant having no criminal history.

“I have to weigh in all the factors and this man has no felonies,” the judge said. “I also see a problem down the line where parental visitation may be an issue.”

Carpenter was sentenced to 10 years with seven years, nine months suspended on the attempted sodomy charge (two years, three months to serve). All 10 years on the parent violating a child under the age of 15 were also suspended. Carpenter also must register on the National Sex Offender registry, cannot see any children under 12 without permission from the court, and pay $3,664.64 in restitution.

In other circuit court matters:

–Shawn A. Cameron, 37, of the 300 block of Allen Avenue, Hopewell, received formal sentencing and will spend a year incarcerated on a single charge of unlawful wounding.

During a Dec. 12, 2022 contested trial, evidence presented in the case revealed that on Sept. 18, 2022, Cameron and his wife Stacey Stephens had gotten into an argument. Cameron followed Stephens, who drove to Quinton to the home of Terry Rice Jr., a former lover. Cameron and Stephens got into an argument, with Stephens driving up a long driveway to Rice’s home. Rice, who was standing at his mailbox at the time, drove up to his home where he saw the couple arguing. Rice was punched by another man, Joshua Cameron, and was taken to the ground by Shawn Cameron. In the process of the fall, Rice broke his leg.

Cameron received a five-year sentence with four years suspended (one year to serve) on the unlawful wounding conviction.

–George Jason Harris, 40, of Highland Springs, entered guilty pleas to an amended charge of felony destruction of property (originally attempted breaking and entering) and assault on a law enforcement officer.

In a summary of evidence, on Sept. 19, 2023, a New Kent deputy responded to a call for service on Riverside Drive. When he arrived, a victim had indicated that they heard a gas-powered golf cart start up. When the officer went to inspect, they noticed that the golf cart had rammed into the house and against a propane grill. The offender, identified later as Harris, was attempting to get into the home, which resulted in both the grill and golf cart being damaged. When Harris was taken into custody, he kicked the officer while speaking to the magistrate.

Under the agreement, Harris received a five-year sentence with four years, four months suspended (eight months to serve) on the assault and battery of a law enforcement conviction. Of his active time, six months are required by law to serve. All five years on the felony destruction of property were suspended, but he must pay $935.06 in restitution for damage to the grill and golf cart.

–Kevyn Tyree Hurst, 28, of the 3900 block of Palomino Drive, Newport News, will spend a year in jail after receiving formal sentencing for felony eluding.

During a Dec. 12, 2022 trial, Hurst entered into a plea agreement to the crime. At that trial, a summary of evidence presented that on Aug. 12, 2022, a Virginia State Police officer was monitoring traffic when a black Nissan Infiniti made a dangerous lane change that almost caused an accident. When the trooper attempted to initiate a traffic stop, the driver of the car accelerated, driving on the shoulder of the road and making numerous lane changes while weaving in and out of traffic at speeds that reached 120 miles per hour. The chase came to an end when the driver of the Infiniti lost control and crashed the car. Hurst was identified as the driver after being pulled from the wreck.

Hurst received a five-year sentence with four years suspended (one year to serve).