North Carolina man handed three months for assault in New Kent County

A North Carolina man will spend the next three months in jail for assaulting a family member in New Kent.

Jeremy William Roscoe, 41, of the 500 block of Old Hertford Highway, Elizabeth City, entered a guilty plea to a single count of assault and battery of a family member (third or subsequent offense) as part of a plea agreement reached during Monday proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court.

In a summary of evidence provided by New Kent Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Thomas Cleator, on Apr. 28, 2025, a New Kent deputy responded to a call for service to a residence on New Kent Highway. Upon arriving to the scene, the officer located a victim, who indicated that Roscoe, who was staying at the residence at the time, had dragged them into the floor and assaulted them. The deputy looked at the victim and noticed swelling across one of their eyes and questioned Roscoe. After an investigation, Roscoe was taken into custody and charged with the offense.

Under the agreement, Roscoe received a five-year sentence with four years, nine months suspended (three months to serve). The defendant must also pay a fine of $1,000.

In other circuit court matters:

–Kasey Dale Hartsoe, 34, of the 10000 block of Continental Road, Quinton, pled guilty to one charge of driving while intoxicated (third or subsequent offense) as part of a plea agreement reached. One charge each of driving suspended (felony related), misdemeanor driving suspended, and misdemeanor refusal to take a breathalyzer test (second or subsequent offense) were dropped as part of the deal.

In a summary of evidence provided by New Kent Commonwealth’s Attorney Scott Renick, on July 17, 2025, a New Kent deputy received a call for service after being alerted of a vehicle on the side of the road. When the officer arrived, they observed a vehicle with no headlights on but running that was parked alongside the highway. The deputy approached the driver, later identified as Hartsoe, and detected a strong odor of alcohol. When questioned why the car was parked on the side of the road, the defendant indicated that she had a medical emergency. A field sobriety test was conducted, with Hartsoe performing poorly. The defendant was transported for medical purposes before later being arrested for driving while intoxicated. A further investigation discovered that the defendant had two previous convictions for similar offenses.

A presentence report is being prepared as Hartsoe is undergoing treatment in a rehabilitation program. Formal sentencing is scheduled for Apr. 20 with sentencing guidelines recommending one day to six months to serve. Under the state statute, Hartsoe will have to serve a mandatory six months in jail for the offense.

–Donald William Lewis, 68, of the 6800 block of Sassafras Road, Quinton, pled guilty to an amended charge of misdemeanor driving suspended (DUI related- originally driving revoked- felony related) as part of a plea agreement.

In a summary of evidence, on July 16, 2025, a New Kent deputy observed a blue truck enter into a subdivision and accelerate to a high rate of speed. The officer executed a traffic stop and spoke with the driver. Lewis, who was operating the vehicle, admitted to the officer that his license was suspended, which was confirmed by the officer through a background search.

Under the agreement, formal sentencing has been scheduled for July 13 as the defendant is currently undergoing rehabilitation treatment.

—Patrick Anthony Meis, 34, of the 9500 block of Davenport Road, Gloucester, entered guilty pleas to one count each of possession of a Schedule I/II substance and misdemeanor driving while intoxicated (first offense).

In a summary of evidence, on Apr. 9, 2025, a New Kent deputy responded to a call for service for a vehicle weaving back and forth on Interstate 64 eastbound. The officer located the vehicle and observed it drifting from side-to-side on the highway and nearly running off the road. A traffic stop was executed and the driver, later identified as Meis, was questioned about his driving. The deputy conducted field sobriety tests, with the defendant performing poorly on them. Meis was arrested and a subsequent search of the vehicle discovered syringes with a clear substance in them, along with bags with a liquid inside of them. The items were sent to a forensics lab, with results revealing that the substance was methamphetamine.

A presentence report is being prepared for the case, with sentencing guidelines recommending a time frame of three to six months to serve. Formal sentencing is scheduled for Mar. 16.

–Bray Douglas Wiggins, 25, of the 7800 block of New Kent Highway, New Kent, entered a plea of guilty to a lone charge of possession of a Schedule I/II drug as part of a plea agreement.

In a summary of evidence, on Oct. 8, 2024, a New Kent deputy responded to a call for service at a residence on Ellyson Trace. An individual indicated that some items had been stolen from them. As the officer was conducting the interview, a vehicle approached and two individuals exited the car. One of the individuals, identified as Wiggins, had an item drop from his pants. The item recovered was a glass smoking device. Wiggins was arrested and inside of the vehicle that he was traveling in, more glass smoking devices with a substance inside were in plain view. The items were sent to the forensics lab and later determined to be cocaine.

Under the plea agreement, no formal finding was rendered as Wiggins will enter into the First Offender Program. If he successfully completes the program, the drug possession charge will be dismissed.