“Bathroom break” leads to Norfolk man accepting plea deal in New Kent Circuit Court

A Norfolk man who burglarized vehicles in The Colonies subdivision in New Kent accepted a plea deal after realizing that answering “nature’s call” provided enough evidence to convict him.

Joseph Adam Klesh, 20, of the 9600 block of Chesapeake Boulevard, Apt. 23, pled guilty to one count of burglary, two counts of misdemeanor petty larceny, and three counts of misdemeanor tampering with a vehicle as part of a plea agreement during Monday afternoon proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court.

In a summary of evidence provided by Commonwealth’s Attorney Linwood Gregory, on Jan. 8, Klesh and a juvenile defendant went into The Colonies subdivision and began “running cars” or looking for unlocked vehicles that had possible valuables inside. During that morning, one of the residents noticed someone standing outside her car and called police. Authorities combed through the neighborhood and saw several vehicles had been rummaged through.

Detective Joseph McLaughlin III found a puddle of urine with the edges frozen but still wet in the middle due to the cold temperatures. A sample was taken and sent to the DNA lab and a positive match came back for Klesh. Detectives went to Klesh’s home and he subsequently confessed to the crimes.

Under the plea deal, Klesh received 10 years in jail on the burglary charge with all but one year suspended. Twelve months on each of the four misdemeanor charges were suspended.

In other circuit court proceedings:

–Nathaniel Blake Atkins, 24, of the 13000 block of Cooks Mill Road, Lanexa, accepted a plea deal to one count of possession of a controlled substance. Last May 12, Atkins was arrested during a sheriff’s office and Drug Enforcement Agency raid that targeted Whitney Renee Marciniak and Jason Andrew Meade. While not directly involved in the actions of Mead and Marciniak, Atkins asked to get his backpack after authorities let him go. Prior to regaining it, his backpack was searched and revealed residue on a grinder that turned out to be an illegal substance, leading to his arrest. Under the plea agreement, no formal finding would be rendered and he was placed on first offender status.

–Gregory William Campbell, 23, of the 6400 block of Maple Road, Quinton, accepted a plea agreement and entered guilty pleas to one count each of grand larceny, burglary, and misdemeanor petty larceny. One charge of conspiracy to commit larceny was dropped. In a summary of evidence, last June 8 Campbell stole a dirtbike belonging to Timothy Higgins. The victim gave chase before authorities joined in and tracked the defendant into a nearby woodline and arrested him. The burglary and petty larceny charges stem from an Aug. 9 incident where the defendant stole a power washer and air compressor from Thame Allen and Rhonda Hill. Under the agreement, formal sentencing will be held on Dec. 15 to determine if the defendant qualifies for the state’s diversion program.

–Stephanie Michelle Stroop, 22, also of the 6400 block of Maple Road, Quinton, accepted a plea deal to an amended charge of misdemeanor trespassing (originally burglary) and misdemeanor petty larceny. One charge of conspiracy to commit larceny was dropped. In a summary of evidence, Stroop accompanied Campbell when he burglarized the home of Thame Allen and Rhonda Hill. Under the agreement, she received 12 months in jail on each charge, but will serve only one month of active time.

–David Luther Holley Jr., 42, of the 8300 block of New Kent Highway, New Kent, received formal sentencing on four charges of grand larceny. The defendant accepted a plea deal during a June trial on the charges and had to complete the RISE program at Henrico Jail East before formal sentencing. Holley will serve six months out of a possible five years on the first charge of grand larceny. Five years on each of the remaining three charges were suspended.