Providence Forge man sentenced to three years in prison for possessing child pornography

A Providence Forge man will spend three years in prison for possessing child pornography after receiving formal sentencing during Monday proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court.

Christopher Paul Perry, 36, received the active term of incarceration following his sentencing hearing on the offense.

During a May 22 trial, Perry entered a guilty plea to a single count of possession of child pornography as part of a plea agreement that was reach. That plea deal also called for the dropping of five charges of possession of child pornography (second offense).

At his trial, a summary of evidence presented that on Oct. 26, 2021, investigators involved with monitoring individuals who download child pornography discovered a dropbox that possibly had the illegal content. That box belonged to Perry, as information about his email and whereabouts were discovered to be based in New Kent. The local sheriff’s office was notified, and a subpoena for a search warrant was executed to search his residence in early 2022. Upon the investigation, Perry advised officers that they did not have to search his home, admitting that he downloaded the images onto his phone and would delete them later.

Perry received a five-year sentence with two years suspended (three years to serve) on his New Kent conviction. He is also serving five years of active incarceration to similar charges from Rockingham County.

In an unrelated case, a Richmond man will serve time in jail for felony eluding police.

Elijah Muhammad Brown, 30, of the 1200 block of East Main Street, Richmond, received formal sentencing on his offense.

During a Feb. 8 jury trial, evidence presented showed that Brown attempted to run from police but ultimately was arrested. Jurors didn’t spend to long debating on what happened that day, issuing a guilty verdict for the offense.

Brown received a five-year jail sentence with four years, nine months suspended (three months to serve).

In other circuit court matters:

–Tyler Alexander Dean, of New Kent, and Richard Gene Wray III, of Providence Forge, both entered a guilty plea to an amended charge of trespassing (originally obtaining money by false pretenses) as part of a plea agreement. One count each of intent to sell stolen property, grand theft auto, and conspiracy to commit grand theft auto were dropped. In a summary of evidence, the two men went onto the property of the owner without permission.

Both men received a 12-month sentence with all time suspended on the convictions.