Quinton man convicted on felony eluding after attempting to switch tags on vehicles
A Quinton man has entered guilty pleas stemming from a February chase in New Kent County.
Robert Lawrence Byers Jr., 26, of the 6700 block of Sassafras Drive, pled guilty to one count each of felony eluding and misdemeanor providing false identification to a law enforcement officer during Monday proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court.
In a summary of evidence provided by New Kent Commonwealth’s Attorney Scott Renick, on Feb. 10, a New Kent deputy patrolling eastbound traffic on Route 60 (Pocahontas Trail) when a Sedan with dark tint passed through the area. The officer ran a registration check on the temporary license on the vehicle and received no information from either the Virginia database or the Maryland database where the temporary tags were issued. When the deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop, the car accelerated to more than 90 miles per hour on Route 60. The vehicle would turn onto Magnolia Woods drive with speeds of 70 miles per hour in a posted 25 miles per hour zone. The Sedan would then proceed to turn onto Henpeck Road and drive 100 miles per hour in a posted 45 miles per hour zone, where the officer lost sight of the suspect.
A few hours later after putting out an alert, an individual contacted local authorities and said that they saw a vehicle matching the description in a yard. The individual also said that the suspect was removing the tags from the Sedan and placing them on another vehicle. A deputy responded to the area and followed the suspect, who was driving the new vehicle, to the Star Express on New Kent Highway and conducted a traffic stop. When the officer asked for the license of the driver, he indicated his name was Brandon Martin and that he did not have any identification. When the officer asked for his social security number, the defendant could not come up with it, and eventually confessed that his name was Robert Byers Jr.
Byers is currently being evaluated for the Community Corrections Alternative Program (CCAP) to determine if he is eligible for it. Sentencing for the defendant is scheduled for Aug. 25.
In other circuit court matters:
–John Carlton Babcock, 20, of the 5900 block of Plaster Lane, Quinton, entered a guilty plea to a lone count of possession of a Schedule I/II drug as part of a plea agreement.
In a summary of evidence, on Apr. 30, 2024, a New Kent deputy conducting registration checks at the Star Express noticed a vehicle that indicated the driver’s license of the operator has been suspended. A traffic stop was conducted and the officer identified the driver as Babcock. During the investigation, the officer noticed a bag in the floorboard on the passenger’s side of the vehicle. When questioned if he had anything illegal in the car, Babcock indicated that he had a glass pipe and a vape. The officer removed the defendant from the car and a search yielded a plastic bag with a white substance inside of it. The substance was identified as cocaine through a forensics lab analysis.
Under the agreement, no formal finding was rendered as the defendant was deemed eligible for the First Offender Program. If Babcock is successful, the charge will be dismissed.
–Bonnie Isabel Baldyga, 36, of the 2600 block of Little Creek Dam Road, Toano, entered a guilty plea to a solo count of possession of a Schedule I/II drug as part of a plea deal.
In a summary of evidence, on Feb. 7, a New Kent deputy operating radar on Farmer’s Drive clocked a vehicle speeding in the area. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver, identified as Baldyga, had possible signs of intoxication. The officer removed the defendant from the vehicle and conducted a search, with the deputy discovering a plastic bag with a white substance in Baldyga’s pocket. The item was sent to the forensics lab, with results identifying the substance as cocaine.
Under the plea agreement, Baldyga will enter into the First Offender Program. If she successfully completes the program, the charge will be dismissed.
–William Emanuel Fleming, 41, of Richmond, entered a guilty plea to an amended charge of possession of ammunition by a nonviolent felon (originally possession of a gun by a nonviolent felon) as part of a plea agreement.
In a summary of evidence, on Nov. 21, 2024, a Virginia State Trooper conducting patrol on Interstate 64 was following a vehicle that was weaving back and forth between lanes. The officer ran a license plate check and discovered the driver was suspended and wanted out of Chesterfield. A traffic stop was initiated, and the defendant ran off the road, wrecking into the embankment. The driver, now identified as Fleming, was removed from the car and questioned about his driving. After Fleming was detained, a search of the vehicle discovered a firearm with ammunition in the back floorboard with a jacket. Inside the jacket was Fleming’s wallet with his information. The trooper asked the defendant why he had the gun and ammunition in his car, with Fleming responding that it belonged to a recently deceased relative and he knew he shouldn’t have had it in the car.
Under the plea agreement, a presentence report is being prepared on the defendant, with no more than one year, nine months of active time being proposed to serve by the Commonwealth.
–Milton Harley Lassiter, 40, of the 13000 block of W Lane, Amelia Court House, entered a guilty plea to one count of possession of a Schedule I/II drug.
In a summary of evidence, on Dec. 5, 2024, a New Kent deputy conducted a traffic stop on Interstate 64 on a vehicle was speeding. As the officer was talking to the driver, the suspicion of possible drugs in the vehicle arose, leading to a K-9 unit being brought to the scene. The K-9 conducted a free air sniff, identifying that drugs were on the passenger side of the car. The passenger, identified as Lassiter, was removed from the car with a search revealing a folded dollar bill in his pocket with a rock-like substance. The substance was sent to the forensics lab, with tests revealing it to be heroin.
Under the plea agreement, Lassiter received a 10-year sentence with nine years, nine months suspended (three months to serve). He must also pay a fine of $1,000.
–Terrence Tyrese Martin, 25, of the 8700 block of Rugby Road, Manassas, entered into a plea agreement by pleading guilty to one count of possession of a Schedule I/II drug.
In a summary of evidence, on July 13, 2024, a New Kent deputy parked at the 7-Eleven in Eltham was conducting vehicle registration checks when one registered that the driver was suspended. A traffic stop was conducted and as the officer approached, they noticed the driver, later identified as Martin, fumbling around with the seat and talking with passengers in the car. Martin did not have is license and the other passengers were underage, resulting in the car needing to be towed. A search and inventory of the car discovered a black bag with a substance inside. One of the passengers told the officer that Martin had handed the bag to them and told them to hide it. Inside the black bag was items consistent with drugs. The items were sent off, with the forensics lab identifying substances on the item as Fentanyl.
Under the agreement, Martin was placed into the first offender program. If he successfully completes the program, the charge will be dismissed.
–Dartanyon Carnel Nelson, 34, of the 5400 block of Church Road, Bowie, Maryland, was found guilty one two counts of felony failure to appear and one count of misdemeanor disobeying a court order.
During a Dec. 18, 2023 trial, Nelson entered guilty pleas to possession of a Schedule I/II drug and misdemeanor DUI (first offense) as part of a plea agreement stemming from a May 15, 2023 incident. Nelson was placed in the First Offender program, but missed two court dates and failed to report to the Alcohol and Substance Abuse Program (ASAP).
Nelson was sentenced to 12 months in jail with all but one suspended on the misdemeanor disobeying a court order conviction. He will spend a total of 20 days in jail for failing to appear in court. The possession of a Schedule I/II drug charge has been continued until September to allow the defendant to pay fines associated with being placed in the First Offender Program.