Maryland man admits to possessing cocaine, driving under influence in New Kent

A Maryland man who operated a car while under the influence has been placed in the First Offender Program.

Dartanyon Carnel Nelson, 33, of the 5400 block of Church Road, Bowie, entered guilty pleas to one count each of possession of a Schedule I/II substance and misdemeanor DUI (first offense) as part of a plea agreement reached Monday afternoon in New Kent Circuit Court.

In a summary of evidence provided by New Kent Commonwealth’s Attorney Scott Renick, on May 15, a Virginia State Police Trooper had just finished conducting a traffic stop on Interstate 64 when a vehicle passed at a high rate of speed. The trooper released a signal and clocked the car going 97 miles per hour in a posted 70 miles per hour zone. The officer pursued the vehicle and executed a traffic stop.

After stopping the vehicle, the officer noticed the driver, now identified as Nelson, with signs of possible intoxication. A field sobriety test was conducted, with the defendant failing all tests. A breathalyzer test conducted, with Nelson blowing a .20, which is two-and-a-half times the legal limit. Nelson was arrested for the DUI offense.

The officer conducted an inventory of the car prior to it being towed and discovered a plastic bag with a white powder inside on the driver’s side. When the officer questioned Nelson about it, the defendant confessed that it belonged to him. A subsequent test conducted revealed that the substance was positive for cocaine.

Under the agreement, no formal finding was rendered, as Nelson will enter in the First Offender Program. If he successfully completes the one-year program, the possession charge will be dismissed. He was sentenced to a 12-month sentence with all time suspended on the misdemeanor DUI conviction, but must pay a fine of $500.