Charles City man receives year in jail for possessing crack

A Charles City man who attempted to dispose of drugs while running away from police will spend a year in jail.

Elliott M. Charity, 61, of the 12000 block of Mapisco Road, Charles City, entered straight guilty pleas to one count each of possession of a Schedule I/II substance, misdemeanor fleeing from law enforcement, and misdemeanor obstruction of justice as part of Friday morning proceedings in Charles City Circuit Court.

In a summary of evidence provided by Charles City Commonwealth’s Attorney Tyler Klink, on Apr. 27, 2023, Virginia State Troopers went to arrest Charity on an outstanding capias. When they located Charity, the defendant took off running, throwing a hard rock-like substance to the ground. When the defendant was apprehended, he refused to cooperate with the officers. The discarded substance was sent to the forensics lab and was identified positively as crack.

Charity received a five-year sentence with four years suspended (one year to serve) on the possession of a Schedule I/II substance conviction. All 12 months on both the misdemeanor fleeing from a law enforcement officer and misdemeanor obstruction of justice were suspended.

In an unrelated case, a King William man entered a guilty plea to felony child neglect after accepting a plea agreement.

Phillip Terrall Adkins, 37, of the 1500 block of Dunluce Road, admitted to the crime as part of the deal. One charge of felony eluding was dropped as part of the agreement.

In a summary of evidence, on July 22, 2023, a call for service was made to Charles City Sheriff’s Office about a possible reckless driver during the early morning hours. When officers responded and executed a traffic stop, the driver, later identified as Adkins, exited the vehicle, leaving an underage child inside.

Under the agreement, Adkins received a five-year sentence with all time suspended. He must also pay a fine of $500.