Exchange student guilty of reckless driving in New Kent, felony eluding charge pending

An exchange student who resides in Williamsburg will have a year to prove that he can obey American traffic laws.

Xichen Shen, 21, of the 1400 block of Glynn Springs Drive, was found guilty on one count of reckless driving during a Monday afternoon contested trial in New Kent Circuit Court. One charge of felony eluding remains pending.

On Jan. 4, New Kent Deputy Jeremy Deaton was conducting patrol on Interstate 64 eastbound when a black vehicle entered his radar at 96 miles per hour in a posted 70 miles per hour zone. Deaton testified that he pulled behind the vehicle and turned on his emergency lights to execute a traffic stop. The suspect’s vehicle maintained a speed of 70 miles per hour through a construction zone, prompting a Virginia State Trooper to join in the attempted traffic stop. When the trooper attempted to get in front of the suspect’s car, the black automobile drifted over from the right to the left lane, running the trooper’s vehicle into the median. The trooper was able to maintain control, accelerating to get in front of the suspect’s vehicle and performed a rolling stop with Deaton.

Shen testified on his behalf through the assistance of a translator. Shen said he had just bought the car and attempted to accelerate to test the speed out when he noticed the officer. The defendant added that he was nervous after seeing the police lights and didn’t know whether he should have slowed down or stopped.

“In China, they would make an announcement over the speaker to either slow down or pull over,” Shen said. “I didn’t think it was a good idea to stop because I thought a collision would have happened.”

And while Shen’s lawyer argued about the culture differences in driving between China and the United States and that her client never did anything extremely aggressive, New Kent Commonwealth’s Attorney Scott Renick rebutted, saying that Shen had to take a test to gain his American driver’s license. Renick added that the defendant also received a book about driving from the Department of Motor Vehicles with a list of rules and regulations of the road. At the time of the incident, Shen had his driver’s license for approximately one month, which Renick pointed out and said that the information should be fresh in the defendant’s mind.

After hearing both sides, Judge B. Elliott Bondurant pointed out that there was enough evidence to convict Shen of reckless driving due to the defendant’s attempt to test the car’s speed. However, he reserved judgement on the felony eluding.

“I want to see if he [Shen] can abide by the laws of Virginia,” the judge commented. “If he can, I will take that in consideration when it comes to the felony eluding charge.”

Shen received a 10-day sentence with eight days suspended on the reckless driving conviction. He must also pay a $1,000 fine on the misdemeanor conviction. Shen’s felony eluding case has been continued until May 5, 2025. In other circuit court matters:

–Jose Antonio Vasquez Argueta, 48, of the 4100 block of Townhouse Road, Richmond, entered a guilty plea to one count each of driving under the influence (third or subsequent offense) and misdemeanor driving revoked or suspended with a blood-alcohol content level greater than .02.

In a summary of evidence, on Feb. 15, 2023, a Virginia Department of Transportation worker notified New Kent Sheriff’s Office of a black truck driving erratically on Interstate 64. The worker told the dispatcher that the vehicle used Exit 205 to get off the interstate. A New Kent deputy was able to locate the truck in the parking lot of the McDonald’s on Pocahontas Trail. When the officer approached the vehicle, he spoke to the driver, now identified as Argueta, and asked him how much he had to drink after noticing the odor of alcohol. Argueta answered, “a lot”, and the officer conducted field sobriety tests on the defendant. Argueta failed the tests, and was transported to jail where a blood-draw was conducted, with results being .38, more than four-and-a-half times the legal limit.

Under the agreement, Argueta received a five year sentence with four years, nine months suspended on the DUI (third or subsequent offense) conviction. The three months is a mandatory sentence he must serve. All 12 months on the misdemeanor conviction were suspended, but he must pay a total of $1,500 in fines.

–Juan Manual Barron, 48, of West Point, entered a guilty plea to an amended charge of possession of a Schedule I/II drug (originally sell or distribute a Schedule I/II drug) as part of a plea agreement. Two charges of conspiracy to sell a Schedule I/II drug and an additional charge of distributing a Schedule I/II drug were dropped as part of the deal.

In a summary of evidence, on Aug. 18, 2023, a New Kent narcotics operation had a confidential informant go to the home of a potential buyer. When the informant went to the home of the buyer, he noticed Barron in the background with a substance. When officers went inside the home to arrest the individuals, Barron was discovered to have a white substance on him, later identified as methamphetamine.

Under the plea agreement, Barron received a five-year sentence with four years, 10 months suspended (two months to serve). He must also pay a fine of $1,000.

–Nancy Jeannette Campbell, 41, of the 19000 block of Eltham Road, West Point, entered guilty pleas to two counts of selling or distributing a Schedule I/II drug as part of a plea deal. Seven additional charges of selling or distributing a Schedule I/II drug were dropped as part of the agreement.

In a summary of evidence, on Aug. 4, 2023, a confidential informant went to the 7-Eleven in Eltham and met Campbell there to buy drugs. The duo left the store and went to a residence and completed the purchase of a substance, later identified as methamphetamine. On Aug. 18, 2023, the duo once again met, this time at the McDonald’s in West Point. The pair once again drove to a residence in Eltham and made the exchange, this time with the substance being cocaine. After the buys, Campbell was arrested on the charges.

A presentence report is being prepared, with sentencing guidelines recommending a term of two years, five months to eight years, one month to serve. The defendant will have the opportunity to argue the sentencing on July 15.

–Carrie A. Conte, 39, of Quinton, entered a guilty plea to a single count of possession of a Schedule I/II drug as part of a plea deal.

In a summary of evidence, on June 23, 2023, a Virginia State Police Trooper conducting radar on Pocahontas Trail when a Blue Honda with expired tags was spotted. When the officer followed the car, it was discovered that the owner of the vehicle had a licensed that was revoked due to driving under the influence. When a traffic stop was executed, the owner of the car, identified as Conte, was discovered to be the driver. After the defendant was placed into custody, the vehicle had to be towed and was searched for inventory. During that search, a white substance was discovered on the floor, which was later identified as cocaine.

Under the agreement, Conte received a 10-year sentence with all time suspended. She must also pay a fine of $1,000.

–Timothy Michael English, 34, of the 11400 block of Greenyard Estates, Providence Forge, entered a guilty plea to a solo count of possession of a Schedule I/II drug as part of an agreement.

In a summary of evidence, on Sept. 22, 2023, a New Kent deputy on patrol noticed a vehicle traveling eastbound on Route 60 with registration not matching the vehicle. A traffic stop was executed and while the officer was interviewing the driver, later identified as English, a second patrol that had a K-9 unit arrived on scene to assist. The K-9 unit notified officers of possible drugs in the vehicle, and a search of the vehicle revealed a green plastic straw with white residue inside of it. The substance was sent to the department of forensic science, with test results identifying it as methamphetamine.

Under the agreement, English will enter the First Offender Program. If he successfully completes the program, the charge will be dismissed.

–Safaria Gvon Kenney, 23, of the 3700 block of Delmont Street, Richmond, entered a guilty plea to an amended charge of misdemeanor possession of a concealed weapon (originally carrying a concealed weapon, second offense) as part of an agreement.

In a summary of evidence, a Virginia State Police trooper operating radar pulled the defendant over for speeding. During conversation, the officer noticed the driver, identified as Kenney, fidgeting with a bookbag between his legs. After conversing with the defendant, Kenney admitted there was a gun in the bag. The officer removed the bag, pulling out a Glock .43 handgun.

Under the agreement, Kenney received a 90-day sentence with all time suspended. The handgun was forfeited to the Commonwealth.

–Kentell Terrique Richberg, 22, of the 3200 block of Merrimac Trail, Williamsburg, entered a guilty plea to a lone count of possession of a Schedule I/II drug as part of a plea deal.

In a summary of evidence, on Sept. 28, 2023, New Kent deputies responded to a potential shooting in the county. The officers were able to locate a vehicle in connection with the possible shooting and spoke with the driver, identified as Richberg. The defendant told officers that he had a handgun and that a black and red bag belonged to him. Officers searched the bag, discovering marijuana and a pill inside the bag. The pill was tested, with results identifying it as oxycodone.

Under the agreement, Richberg will enter into the First Offender Program. If he successfully completes the program, the charge will be missed.

–Travis Bradley Romans, 39, of Mechanicsville, entered a guilty plea to a single count of felony eluding of police as part of a plea agreement.

In a summary of evidence, on Sept. 20, 2023, a New Kent deputy noticed a vehicle being driven of a possible wanted person. When the officer pulled behind the suspect, they activated the lights. The driver, later identified as Romans, continued driving at 45 miles per hour for a long period of time before he arrived to his home. When questioned why he ran, Romans said that he was afraid his truck would be stolen that had tools inside of it.

Under the agreement, Romans received a five-year sentence with all but one month suspended. He must also pay a $1,500 fine.