Virginia Beach man admits to eluding trooper in New Kent County

A Virginia Beach man has stipulated to evidence related to an eluding charge stemming from a brief pursuit in New Kent County.

Shaheim Divine Allen, 26, of the 3900 block of Inspiration Arch, stipulated evidence of the pursuit during Monday morning proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court. While Allen admitted guilt to the eluding charge, he is challenging the felony and believes it was a misdemeanor.

In a summary of evidence provided by New Kent Commonwealth’s Attorney Scott Renick, on Jan. 20, a Virginia State Trooper patrolling Interstate 64 westbound traffic near the 205-mile marker detected a vehicle traveling 96 miles per hour in a posted 70 miles per hour zone. The officer executed a traffic stop and identified Allen as the driver. When the trooper ran the defendant’s information, it was discovered that Allen’s license was suspended. The officer informed Allen of the issue and notified him that the vehicle had to be towed.

After a tow truck arrived and lowered its flatbed to load of the defendant’s vehicle, Allen received a quote for the tow. Because the defendant was sitting inside of his car to stay warm, Allen fled the scene, with the trooper taking off behind him. About two miles later, a second officer joined the chase, and a rolling stop was performed and Allen pulled over to the side. When questioned why he took off, Allen said he knew he was wrong, and he didn’t have the funds to pay for the vehicle to be towed. He also said the vehicle belonged to his fiancé’. The defendant was taken into custody after the pursuit.

A presentence report is being prepared to determine if Allen will be convicted on a felony or misdemeanor eluding charge. Sentencing is tentatively scheduled for Feb. 9, 2026.

In another case, a New Kent woman will serve two months in jail for not successfully completing the First Offender Program.

Katherine Marie Sheridan, 43, of the 11000 block of Oakford Drive, was found guilty on one charge of possession of a Schedule I/II drug.

During a Dec. 9, 2024 trial, Sheridan entered into a plea agreement and admitted that she was in possession of cocaine after she was pulled over for driving aggressively and suspected of driving while intoxicated on Mar. 23, 2024. The vehicle was searched, resulting in a white substance that was later identified as cocaine being discovered. She was placed in the First Offender program but failed to complete it successfully.

Sheridan received a five-year sentence with four years, 10 months suspended (two months to serve). She was also handed a $1,000 fine.