Drop box on computer leads to New Kent man pleading guilty to possessing child pornography

A Quinton man who stored images of underage children in a drop-box on electronic devices has entered guilty pleas to possession of child pornography.

Nicholas Will Buchman, 26, pled guilty to one count each of possession of child pornography (first offense) and possession of child pornography (second or subsequent offense) as part of Monday proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court. Eight additional charges of possession of child pornography (second or subsequent offense) were dropped as part of a plea agreement.

In a summary of evidence, New Kent Detective Brent Thomas said that around Oct. 20, 2023, New Kent Sheriff’s Office received a cyber-tip from Crimes Against Children that a drop box has stored files of possible underage children. The files included pictures of young females who were undressed. The case was handed over to state police who traced the IP address to a home in New Kent. The location ended up being a home where Buchman was living at the time. Subpoenas were issued and Thomas went over to the home and interviewed Buchman. After receiving consent, Buchman was able to locate 94 filed in the drop box, with a majority of then containing child pornography and questionable material. Virginia State Police were also able to track the email that used the drop box to Buchman’s location as well.

While Buchman admitted to the crime, defense attorney Martin Mooradian explained to the court that the defendant was on the autism scale. Mooradian called Dr. Kevin McWilliams, who evaluates patients on a psychological level, to the stand.

“Mr. Buchman is a limited intellectual and shows symptoms on the autism spectrum,” McWilliams testified. “While he can learn some things, he is very limited on the social scale.

“As I evaluated him, it was clear that he operated on a diminished mental capacity when it comes to being social,” the doctor continued. “He is a 26-year-old man but thinks like an early teen.”

McWilliams added that Buchman’s lack of social interaction with people also affects him.

“He believes the people he speaks to online and on games are his friends, but he has never met them in person,” McWilliams added. “In fact, speaking with Mr. Buchman, the one time he had a job he only worked for one day because he was afraid to cross the street.”

McWilliams wrapped up his testimony by saying he believes that any additional time for Buchman wouldn’t do any favors as he believes the defendant needs a plan to differentiate right from wrong when it comes to handling social interaction.

Currently, Buchman has served seven months in jail. A presentence report is being prepared on the defendant, with his expected sentencing date scheduled for Oct. 21.

In other circuit court matters:

–Adam Michael Dickerson Jr. had one charge of delivering drugs to a prisoner dropped due to a lack of evidence at the time of trial.

–Amanda Lyn Marshburn, 34, of the 1100 block of Riverside Drive, entered a guilty plea to a single charge of possession of a Schedule I/II drug as part of a plea deal.

In a summary of evidence, a Virginia State Trooper on patrol noticed a Ford vehicle with inappropriate registration and the driver with no seat belt. A traffic stop was conducted and as the officer approached the vehicle, he noticed the passenger fidgeting around. The passenger, identified as Marshburn, was questioned about what she was doing. The driver told the officer that he instructed Marshburn to hide a gun that was in the vehicle. The officer asked both individuals to step out the vehicle and followed that up by questioning Marshburn if she had anything illegal on her. Marshburn admitted she had a crack pipe in her pocketbook and the trooper was able to locate it. The pipe, which had a white powdery substance on it, was sent to the forensics lab, with tests revealing the substance was cocaine. Marshburn was taken into custody on a later date.

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

–Antonio Lamont Morris, 34, of the 500 block of Rosegill Road, Richmond, entered guilty pleas to one count each of possession of a Schedule I/II drug, an amended charge of misdemeanor failure-to-appear (originally felony failure-to-appear), and misdemeanor obstruction of justice as part of a plea agreement.

In a summary of evidence, on Mar. 2, 2023, a New Kent deputy responded to the Burger King on Emmaus Church Road after an employee had noticed three individuals in a vehicle that had damage on it acting strangely. The employee was able to provide information to the officer, with Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) records returning that the owner of the car had a warrant. The officer arrived on scene and saw a suspect matching a photo identification of the wanted person. When the deputy went to converse with the suspect, they ran on foot in an attempt to escape. However the suspect, later identified as Morris after being taken into custody, tripped and was arrested. A search of the suspect discovered a glass smoking device and a folded lottery ticket with a white substance inside. A subsequent lab report revealed that the substance was a combination of cocaine and Fentanyl. The suspect also failed to appear for a Sept. 19, 2023 hearing in New Kent General District Court.

Under the plea agreement, Morris received a 10-year sentence with all but six months suspended on the possession of a Schedule I/II drug conviction. All 12 months on the misdemeanor failure to appear and misdemeanor obstruction of justice were suspended. The defendant must also pay $1,500 in fines.

–Timothy Allen Olin, 28, of the 4600 block of Fletcher Road, Gloucester, entered a guilty plea to one count of possession of a Schedule I/II drug as part of a plea deal.

In a summary of evidence, on Feb. 29, a New Kent deputy on patrol in Eltham heard loud exhaust coming from a Chevy Tahoe. The officer followed the vehicle and ran information on the license plate, which returned that the owner of the vehicle had their license revoked. A traffic stop was executed and the driver, identified as Olin, admitted to the officer that he didn’t have a license. With the vehicle about to be impounded, a search of the vehicle was conducted, yielding the discovery of a crystal substance inside of a plastic bag and a straw with white powder inside a jacket pocket. The items were sent to a forensics lab, with tests revealing the substance as methamphetamine.

Under the agreement, Olin will be placed in the First Offender Program. If he successfully completed the program, the charge will be dismissed.

–Kenneth L. Oristaglio, 67, of the 2700 block of Island Drive, Gloucester, pled guilty to a solo count of possession of a Schedule I/II drug.

In a summary of evidence, on March 30, 2023, Virginia State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on Eltham Road in New Kent. Upon arriving, police noticed a man, later identified as Oristaglio, on his knees behind his vehicle. As officers attempted to interview the defendant about the accident, he continued to fade in and out of consciousness. Once Oristaglio regained consciousness, the trooper detained the defendant and received consent to search. The officer conducted a pat down, locating a white powdery substance inside a wrapped lottery ticket. The substance was sent to the forensics lab, with the results yielding as a mix of heroin, cocaine, and Xylazine.

Under the agreement, Oristaglio will enter the First Offender Program. If he successfully completes the one-year program, the charge will be dismissed.

–Jessica Nichole Ramsey, 33, of the 17000 block of New Kent Highway, New Kent, received a 10-year sentence with all time suspended. During a Jan. 22 trial, Ramsey admitted to delivering Suboxone to an inmate on July 24, 2023. Ramsey has been in several drug rehabilitation programs since her trial, completing three of them successfully, leading to the suspended time.

–Derone Lakeith Sheppard, 49, of Portsmouth, entered a plea of guilty to one count of entering onto school property after a Tier III sex offender conviction as part of an agreement. An additional charge of misdemeanor trespassing was dropped.

In a summary of evidence, on Oct. 7, 2022, a New Kent deputy was contacted by a citizen and began investigating a suspect who may have been convicted of a sex crime. The deputy transferred control of the investigation to Virginia State Police, who were able to develop Sheppard as the suspect. Sheppard was seen picking up a student from a New Kent school, and the Virginia State Police investigation discovered that the defendant was a convicted sex offender out of Chesapeake. Sheppard was questioned and admitted that he was the individual in question and was picking up a student from school property.

Under the plea agreement, Sheppard received a five-year sentence with all time suspended. He must pay a fine of $1,000.

–Forrest Dillon Tucker, 29, of the 13000 block of Cypress Drive, Lanexa, entered guilty pleas to one count each of possession of a Schedule I/II drug and violating conditions of pretrial services as part of an agreement. One charge of misdemeanor assault and battery on a family member was dropped as part of a deal.

In a summary of evidence, on Jan. 2 New Kent deputies responded to a call for a domestic assault. The officers were able to speak to the parties involved, with Tucker being one of the suspects. When questioned if he had anything illegal on him, Tucker said that he had drugs on him. Inside of his front pocket was a clear jar with a silver lid. Inside the jar was a powdery substance later determined to be methamphetamine after laboratory tests. Tucker also failed to appear in New Kent General District Court for the preliminary rial on his charges.

Under the agreement, no formal finding was rendered on both of the charges as Tucker will be placed in the First Offender Program. If he is successful, the drug charge will be dismissed while the failure-to-appear charge may be reduced.

–Kasey Abigail Jacqueline Zahn, 28, of the 5800 block of Wensleydale Drive, New Kent, entered guilty pleas to one count each of possession of a Schedule I/II drug and delivering drugs to a prisoner as part of a plea agreement.

In a summary of evidence, on Aug. 16, 2023, a New Kent deputy encountered an individual walking down New Kent Highway. The individual, later identified as Zahn, instructed the officer that she just got into an argument with her boyfriend. The officer noticed erratic behavior and the defendant carrying a purse. When the officer questioned her if she had anything illegal inside, Zahn responded that she had a crack stem. The bag was confiscated, and the item was located inside. The stem was sent to the forensics lab, yielding the discovery of the substance being cocaine.

On Oct. 19, 2023 and while being incarcerated at Henrico Jail East, Zahn was sent to the medical ward where she was complaining of pain. A scan was conducted by the nurse, and the defendant went into the bathroom. The nurse noticed the defendant throwing something in the trash can, and used her gloves to pick up the items which were two glass pipes with a substance on it. The substance was determined to be cocaine by the forensics lab.

Under the plea agreement, Zahn received a 10-year sentence with nine years, five months suspended (seven months to serve) on the delivering drugs to a prisoner conviction. All 10 years on the possession of cocaine charge were suspended. She must also pay $2,000 in total fines.