Saluda man receives six months for DWI, possessing heroin in New Kent

By Andre Jones | June 8, 2026 11:46 pm

A Saluda man will spend six months in jail for driving under the influence of drugs in New Kent County.

Gregory Allen Pritt, 38, of the 800 block of Glebe Road, entered guilty pleas to one count each of possession of a Schedule I/II substance and misdemeanor driving while intoxicated (first offense) as part of a plea agreement reached Monday morning in New Kent Circuit Court.

In a summary of evidence provided by New Kent Commonwealth’s Attorney Scott Renick, on Nov. 15, 2025, a New Kent deputy executed a traffic stop on a vehicle that appeared to be operating erratically. As the officer approached, they noticed signs of possible intoxication by the driver, now identified as Pritt. The defendant performed poorly on field sobriety tests and was taken into custody. A search of Pritt’s vehicle discovered a lunch box with a bag containing a white powdery substance inside. The substance was sent to a forensics lab, with test results revealing that the powder was heroin.

Under the plea agreement, Pritt received a 10-year sentence with nine years, nine months suspended (three months to serve) on the possession of a Schedule I/II drug conviction. He received a 12-month sentence with all but three months suspended on the DWI (first offense) conviction, bringing his total time to serve to six months. He must also pay $2,500 in fines.

In an unrelated case, a Richmond man entered an Alford Plea of Guilt to possession a Schedule I/II drug.

Michael Shane Cooke, 58, of the 2000 block of Adkins Road, entered the plea as part of an agreement. An Alford Plea of Guilt indicates that while the defendant maintains his innocence, evidence presented during the case would be enough to convict him of the offense.

In a summary of evidence, on Nov. 25, 2025, a police officer pulled over a vehicle for having a failed inspection sticker. After a conversation, the officer noticed unusual behavior from the suspect, now identified as Cooke. The officer removed the defendant from a vehicle, and a subsequent search of the car discovered a black bag with a substance inside of it. The items were sent to the forensics lab, with lab reports returning positively as methamphetamine.

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