Motorcyclist receives two-year jail sentence for eluding police in New Kent

A Richmond man will spend two years in jail for eluding police officers on a motorcycle.

Anthony Robert Pearson Jr., 47, entered guilty pleas to felony eluding, misdemeanor reckless driving, and misdemeanor driving suspended as part of a plea agreement reached Monday in New Kent Circuit Court. One charge driving through a safety zone was dropped.

In a summary of evidence, on Aug. 27, 2023, a Virginia State Trooper patrolling Interstate 64 westbound clocked a motorcycle traveling 130 miles per hour in a posted 65 miles per hour zone at mile marker 205. The operator of the bike failed to yield, and a pursuit began. Eventually, the motorcycle crashed due to hazardous conditions. The operator, identified as Pearson, was arrested, with a subsequent background check revealing he did not have a valid license at the time of the offense.

Pearson received a five-year sentence with three years suspended on the felony eluding conviction. Both one-year sentences on the misdemeanor charges were suspended. He must also pay fines in the total amount of $1,500.

In other circuit court matters:

–Larry Washington Cutler, 42, of the 3700 block of Robert Field Road, Quinton, had one charge each of strangulation and misdemeanor assault and battery on a family member dropped after a witness refused to testify on the May 9, 2023 incident.

–Curtis Leroy Etheridge, 56, of the 500 block of Plainfield Avenue, Chesapeake, entered guilty pleas to one count each of possession of a Schedule I/II drug and an amended charge of misdemeanor reckless driving (originally misdemeanor DUI drugs). He was also found guilty on an additional charge of failing to appear on a felony charge, while being found not guilty on another failing to appear on a felony charge.

In a summary of evidence on Sept. 3, 2023, law enforcement officers were called to a 7-Eleven store due to a man possibly acting strange. When police arrived, they found Etheridge sweating and jittery. When they searched the defendant, six blue pills were discovered, later identified as Fentanyl.

Etheridge received a 10-year sentence with nine years, eight months suspended (four months to serve) on the possession of a Schedule I/II drug conviction. All time on the misdemeanor reckless driving and felony failure-to-appear convictions were suspended.

–Jessica Theresa Mary Fulcher, 47, of the 100 block of Capeside Court, Williamsburg, entered guilty pleas to an amended charge of misdemeanor not reporting an accident with damages less than $1,000 (originally felony hit and run), misdemeanor reckless driving (improper brakes), and misdemeanor failing to notify authorities of an accident as part of an agreement.

In a summary of evidence, on May 24, 2023, a car was parked on the shoulder 64 east at mile marker 222 when a Jeep SUV struck the vehicle and proceeded down the road. The victim provided authorities with a description of the vehicle, which was discovered the next day with white paint on it from the incident. The defendant admitted to committing the offense shortly afterwards.

Fulcher received a 12-month sentence with nine months suspended (three months to serve) on the misdemeanor failing to report an accident conviction. All 12 months on both the reckless driving and failing to notify an accident were suspended. She must also pay a fine of $1,250.

–Jessica Nicole Llewellyn, 33, of the 7000 block of Lakeshore Drive, Quinton, entered a guilty plea to a single count of possession of a Schedule I/II drug.

In a summary of evidence, a police officer pulled over the defendant for speeding more than 20 miles per hour over the posted limit on July 10, 2023. The office asked permission to search Llewellyn’s vehicle, which was granted. A folded-up dollar was discovered with a white powdery substance, which later was determined to be methamphetamine. Llewellyn was arrested on the possession charge.

Llewellyn was sentenced to the First Offender Program. If she successfully completes the one-year program, the charge will be dismissed.

–Josh Adam Miller, 35, of the 17000 block of New Kent Highway, Barhamsville, entered a guilty plea to an amended charge of misdemeanor making an unauthorized delivery in jail (originally delivering drugs to a prisoner) as part of a plea deal.

In a summary of evidence, on July 23, 2023, Miller made a phone call to set up a possible delivery of contraband to the jail. Miller was never found in possession of the illegal substance, leading to the amended charge.

Under the agreement, Miller received a 12-month sentence with all but one month suspended.

–Torri Thomas, 28, of the 3800 block of Homeward Road, Richmond, had one charge of conspiracy to sell a Schedule I/II drug dismissed after pleading not guilty.

On July 29, 2023, Thomas was the operator of a Subaru that drove into the Star Motel on Pocahontas Trail. Upon arriving, a male passenger got out the vehicle and entered a nearby Tesla as part of a controlled buy set up by the Twin Rivers Task Force. After the buy, the two individuals went to Third Base Grill where they were confronted by authorities. Thomas was searched but did not have anything on her, whereas money was located on the floorboard where the passenger was sitting. The male counterpart attempted to run before later surrendering.

Judge B. Elliott Bondurant said they could not find anything to hold Thomas on, dismissing the charge against her.

–David Jay Woodhouse, 55, of Providence Forge, entered a guilty plea to an amended charge of distribution of a Schedule I/II drug as an accommodation and a no contest plea to contempt of court as part of a plea deal. One charge of conspiracy to sell a Schedule I/II drug and possession of a Schedule I/II drug were dropped as part of the agreement.

In a summary of evidence, on Aug. 2, 2023, Woodhouse traveled to a 7-Eleven with a safe box containing a substance inside valued less than $300. The substance in the box was methamphetamine, which led to Woodhouse’s arrest.

Under the agreement, Woodhouse received a five-year sentence with all but three months suspended on the distribution as an accommodation conviction. He will also serve two months in jail on his contempt of court conviction.