New Kent man facing minimum of eight years in prison for sex crimes against minor

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A New Kent man is facing at least eight years in prison after pleading guilty to several sex crimes involving a minor.

Erich Mathias Schaub, 39, entered guilty pleas to one count each of sexual penetration with an object, reproducing or distribution of child pornography, reproducing or distribution of child pornography (second offense), and misdemeanor sexual assault of a minor after agreeing to a plea deal Monday afternoon in New Kent Circuit Court. Nine charges of possession of child pornography (second offense), seven additional charges of distribution of child pornography (second offense), two additional charges of sexual penetration with an object, one charge of making copies of child pornography, one charge of possession of child pornography (first offense), and two additional charges of misdemeanor sexual assault of a minor were dropped.

In a summary of evidence provided by New Kent Commonwealth’s Attorney Scott Renick, from June 2021 to Sept. 2022, the Internet Crime Task Force received a tip about the possible distribution of pornography of a minor. The investigation and information discovered a social media account sending images of minors between the age of 13-17. That information was relayed to an address in New Kent County, with New Kent Sheriff’s Office taking over the investigation. New Kent Sheriff’s Office developed Schaub as a suspect based on the account information and went to his residence with a search warrant. When officers showed the defendant the warrant and what they were looking for, he indicated all the information was on his cell phone and in his car. Schaub explained to officers that he used a social media application to share files and that he had shared upwards of 100 photos of minors. Schaub was arrested and taken into custody.

In June 2022, a victim went to New Kent Sheriff’s Office to report crimes committed against them when they were a minor. The crimes stemmed from 2014, when the victim said that they were assaulted by Schaub, who was a family friend at the time. The victim indicated that they were sexually assaulted at least 20 times, with the defendant touching their private areas in various locations that included the defendant’s home, a car, and at church.

Under the plea agreement, Schaub will undergo a psychosexual evaluation as part of his presentence report that is being prepared. The agreement also calls for him to be sentenced according to the recommended guidelines that range from eight years to 25 years, nine months to serve.

In other circuit court matters:

–Gary Antonio Jones, 26, of the 9400 block of Holly Tree Lane, Charles City, entered a guilty plea to an amended charge of misdemeanor eluding (originally felony eluding) as part of a plea agreement.

In a summary of evidence, on Feb. 23 a Virginia State Trooper noticed a vehicle with tint that appeared to be too dark at the Pit Stop on Courthouse Road. As the trooper followed the vehicle, the driver made a U-turn in a subdivision and began accelerating southbound on Courthouse Road, leaving the officer behind at the intersection of Courthouse Road and Pocahontas Trail. Even though the officer lost the vehicle, the driver, identified as Jones, turned himself into the Charles City Sheriff’s Office and admitted he was the operator of the vehicle.

Under the agreement, Jones received a six-month jail sentence with four months suspended (two months to serve). He must also pay a fine of $200.

–Jonathan Darryl Jones, 60, of the 4600 block of Cabrini Place, Cumming, Georgia, pled guilty to one count each of felony hit and run and misdemeanor DUI (second offense) as part of a plea deal.

In a summary of evidence, Virginia State Police responded to an accident. After arriving at the accident, the victim of the hit and run showed where they were hit, with a witness describing the car that caused the damage. The trooper was able to track down the vehicle and found the driver, who was identified as Jones. While speaking with Jones, the officer detected the odor of alcohol and conducted a field sobriety test on the driver. Jones failed the tests and was placed under arrest. The defendant also admitted that he was the one who left the scene of the crash.

Under the agreement, Jones received a five-year sentence with three years, seven months suspended (one year, five months to serve) for the felony hit and run conviction. He received a 12-month sentence with 11 months suspended on the DUI conviction (one month to serve with 20 of those days being the mandatory minimum). He must also pay $1,500 in fines and $500 in restitution.