Theft scheme labeled ‘creative,’ but lands pair behind bars

Even New Kent commonwealth’s attorney Linwood Gregory admitted that a theft scheme by two co-defendants constituted something creative. But in the end, creativity scored no points as both co-defendants accepted plea deals from the commonwealth during New Kent Circuit Court trials on Monday.

Cassandra Lucette Green, 48, of 3314 Jefferson Davis Highway, Richmond, and Rosoda Demond Satchell, 31, of 3411 Jefferson Davis Highway, Richmond, both pleaded guilty to credit card theft stemming from incidents occurring at the Pilot in the Talleysville area of New Kent.

In a summary of evidence by Gregory, Satchell and Green showed up at the convenience store during the early morning hours of June 24. While truck drivers were asleep or in the store making purchases, Green would enter the trucks stealing pants and wallets. Satchell was the driver of the getaway vehicle.

Receiving information from Richmond and Chesterfield detectives about similar crimes, New Kent’s Sheriff’s Office personnel were able track the getaway vehicle through the use of a GPS system. When authorities arrived at a hotel where Green and Satchell were staying, they searched the premises and found grocery bags that contained wallets, including those belonging to Eric Boyd and Michael Elimon, the victims from the New Kent convenience store.

Gregory continued by saying that the co-defendants would buy cigarettes from convenience stores with the stolen cards and sell them on the streets in order to make fast cash.

In the plea agreement, Green was sentenced on two counts of credit card theft and received 20 years in jail with all but 11 months suspended. Satchell pleaded guilty to one count of credit card theft and received 10 years in jail with all but two years suspended. Both co-defendants must pay $205.35 in restitution.

In an unrelated case, two co-defendants accepted plea deals in regard to a home burglary in Quinton.

Steven Lewis Risby, 25, of 9018 Archwind Court, Richmond, and Cody Justin Graham, 29, of 2118 Dumbarton Road, Henrico, pleaded guilty to corresponding counts from the incident. Risby pleaded guilty to one count of burglary and one count of grand larceny, while Graham pleaded guilty to one count of grand larceny. One count of burglary against Graham was dropped.

In a summary of evidence presented by Gregory, Graham and Risby left a Richmond area hotel during the early hours of June 22 and traveled to New Kent to look for “good stuff.” The defendants arrived at the home of Karen and Lance Long Sr., made their way into the home, and stole jewelry and video game systems.

Graham and Risby were at a pawn shop in Richmond when the owner recognized them from previous tips about suspects from robberies in Charlottesville. The owner called authorities who apprehended the suspects.

When authorities searched the hotel room and the vehicle the suspects were using, they found a social security card that belonged to Karen Long.
Authorities from Richmond contacted New Kent authorities who proceeded to the residence of the Longs where it was determined they had been victims.

Under the plea deal, Risby was sentenced to a total of 30 years in prison, with an active time of 3 years, 7 months to serve. Graham received 20 years in prison, with all but 2 years, 10 months suspended. Both suspects must pay $300 in restitution.

In other matters heard on Monday, the following defendants were sentenced on guilty pleas:
–Kenneth Wayne Bowery, 39, of 9701 Jefferson Davis Highway, North Chesterfield, on amended charges of two counts of sexual battery. Four counts of indecent liberties with a minor were dropped. The charges stem from incidents that occurred from July 30-Aug. 1, 2011. Bowery was sentenced to six years in jail with all but two suspended.
–Jodie Lynn Couch, 29, of 2227 Roxford St., Mt. Airy, N.C., on one count of possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), violating first offender status. Couch was sentenced to 10 years in prison with an active time of three years to serve.
–Stephen Michael Hoskins, 36, of 48 Ed Allen’s, Lanexa, on one count of DUI (4th offense) and two counts of driving on a revoked license. The incident occurred on Sept. 28, 2011 when the suspect was pulled over for a violation. Hoskins will be sentenced on Dec. 17.
–Christopher Rhodes Lovelace, 25, of 1202 Riverside Drive, Lanexa, on one count of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. On Dec. 16, 2011, Lovelace sold the substance to an undercover informant. Lovelace received a five-year sentence with four years, nine months suspended.
–Christopher Thomas Batkins, 19, of 3601 Hopewell Road, New Kent, on three counts of forgery. Five counts of uttering and three other counts of forgery were dropped in a plea agreement. Batkins admitted stealing checks belonging to Beverly Creed and forging her name to cash them. Under the plea agreement, Batkins will be evaluated for a diversion program. If he does not qualify for the program, he will receive 15 years in jail with all but one year suspended.
–Jennifer Elaine Eleftheriou, 32, of 2709 Mt. Pleasant Road, Providence Forge, on one amended count of misdemeanor distribution of marijuana and one count of contributing to the delinquency of minor. One count of conspiracy was dropped. The incident occurred on May 21 when the defendant was selling a two-foot marijuana plant while children were present. Under a plea agreement, Eleftheriou received two years in jail with an active time of eight days.
–Gregory Allen Kersey, 34, of 3007 P Street, Richmond, on amended counts of attempted grand larceny and misdemeanor unlawful entry. Kersey admitted on June 11 of this year he attempted to steal tools that were valued over $200. A plea deal called for Kersey to serve 11 years in jail with all but one year suspended.
–Monica Lynn Topee, 25, of 10000 Tuxford Road, North Chesterfield, on one count of possession of cocaine stemming from violating first offender status. Topee had all five years suspended and received extended probation based on her fulfilling the other requirements of her probation.