New Kent Charles City Chronicle

News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | November 13, 2024

Quinton man receives three-year prison sentence for possessing child pornography

By Andre Jones | October 22, 2024 10:40 am

A Quinton man who stored images of underage children in a drop-box on electronic devices will serve three years in prison.

Nicholas Will Buchman, 26, learned of his sentence during New Kent Circuit Court proceedings Monday afternoon.

At an Aug. 19 trial, Buchman entered guilty pleas to one count each of possession of child pornography (first offense) and possession of child pornography (second offense). At the August trial, evidence revealed that New Kent Sheriff’s Office received a cyber-tip of a home in the area that possibly had child pornography. The IP address was traced to the home where Buchman was living at the time. New Kent Detective Brent Thomas received a search warrant, discovering a device and locating 94 files in a drop box, many of them with child pornography and other questionable material. Virginia State Police was able to track Buchman’s email, matching it to the one used for the drop box.

At Monday’s trial, defense attorney Martin Mooradian pointed out testimony from Dr. Kevin McWilliams, who indicated that the defendant had limited intellectual ability and showed signs of being on an autism spectrum. Mooradian argued that jail would not benefit the defendant.

But New Kent Commonwealth Attorney Scott Renick rebutted, saying that while he understands the defendant and the issues he is dealing with, victim witness statements about the ordeal impacted the situation more. Renick also told Judge B. Elliott Bondurant that victims need to be remembered and protected as well, something they said they did not feel if Buchman was not given a lengthy sentence.

After hearing both arguments, Bondurant sentenced Buchman to 10 years in prison with seven years suspended (three to serve) on the possession of child pornography (second offense) conviction. All five years on the possession of child pornography (first offense) were suspended.

In another major case, a Providence Forge man who distributed drugs in New Kent County will serve just over three years in prison.

Joshua Dale New, 41, entered a no contest during a June 24 case, indicated that evidence presented in the trial would be enough to convict him of the crime. At that trial, evidence presented showed that a New Kent deputy conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle being driven by New due to not being able to see the license plate. The driver, identified as New, did not have a license and the vehicle was subject to be towed. Prior to it being towed, a K-9 unit was brought in to help search the car, with the K-9 alerting deputies of possible illegal substances. An inventory of the vehicle discovered the location of smoking devices, scales, and 21.8 grams of a white powdery substance that eventually tested positive for crystal meth.

At Monday’s trial, an argument was made to allow the defendant to enter into the Community Corrections Alternative Program (CCAP). But New’s criminal history was pointed out by both Renick and the judge, resulting in the denial of entry into the program.

New received a 10-year sentence with six years, 11 months suspended (three years, one month to serve).

In other circuit court cases:

–Brandon Charles Bates, 39, of the 4900 block of Darbytown Road, Richmond, entered a no contest plea to a lone count of possession of a Schedule I/II drug as part of a plea agreement. A no contest plea indicates that evidence presented during the trial would be enough to convict the defendant of the crime.

In a summary of evidence, on Feb. 1, a New Kent police officer noticed a gold Toyota driving on the road with improper registration. After making the traffic stop, the driver, identified at Bates, searched for the registration and title of the vehicle. The officer noticed that the buyer portion of the paperwork was not completed, and that Bates started acting erratically. A K-9 unit was brought to the scene and a positive indication was made that narcotics were in the car. A search of the vehicle discovered a folded up coupon with a plastic bag inside with white powder. The item was sent off to the forensics lab, with test results revealing the substance was Fentanyl.

Under the plea agreement, Bates will enter into the First Offender Program. If he successfully completes it, the charge will be dismissed.

–Zachary Burnette Bradley, 21, of the 5900 block of Toe Ink Terrance, Quinton, pled guilty to a solo count of possession of a Schedule I/II drug as part of an agreement.

In a summary of evidence, on May 24, 2024, a New Kent deputy on patrol in the Eltham area of the county noticed a vehicle making an illegal U-turn, followed by rolling through a red light and not coming to a complete stop. A traffic stop was conducted, and the officer noticed a vape pen in the center console. The officer questioned the driver, now identified as Bradley, if he had any illegal drugs inside the vehicle. Bradley said that he had another vape pen in his pocket. Bradley consented to a search of the vehicle, with the officer discovering tablets and a powdery substance in the center console. Bradley said he thought the substance was hydro, but a subsequent test of the substance discovered it to be cocaine.

Under the agreement, no formal finding was rendered as Bradley will enter the First Offender Program. If he is successful, the charge will be dismissed.

–Joseph Ryan Brophy, 27, of the 7000 block of Angel View Lane, Lanexa, entered guilty pleas to one count each of possession of a Schedule I/II substance and possession of a gun while in possession of a Schedule I/II substance as part of a plea agreement.

In a summary of evidence, on May 30, a New Kent deputy responded to Holly Fork Road after receiving information from the dispatcher of a 9-1-1 hang-up call. When the officer arrived, they noticed an individual who wasn’t wearing a shirt, along with an officer from a neighboring jurisdiction. A sedan was parked nearby, and the deputy was able to identify Brophy as the individual who owned the car. Brophy displayed signs of intoxication, and a K-9 unit arrived on the scene. The K-9 picked up the scent of narcotics, with a subsequent search finding a substance later identified as Fentanyl through laboratory tests. Inside of a bookbag inside the vehicle were disassembled parts of an AR-15, who said he separated the pieces because he didn’t want to be charged with carrying a concealed weapon. Brophy was arrested on the charges.

Under the agreement, Brophy received a five-year sentence with all but three months suspended on the possession of a gun while in possession of a Schedule I/II drug conviction. He will also enter into the First Offender Program, and if he successfully completes it the possession of a Schedule I/II drug will be dismissed.

–Robert Raymond Giers Jr., 45, of the 100 block of Bypass Road, Williamsburg, entered a guilty plea to one charge of possession of a Schedule I/II drug as part of a plea deal.

In a summary of evidence, on Apr. 1, a New Kent deputy was operating radar on Farmer’s Drive when a vehicle sped through the area. A traffic stop took place and the driver, identified as Giers, was questioned about his speed. As the officer investigated, Giers continuously looked over to a backpack sitting in the passenger’s side. When the officer discovered that defendant’s license was suspended, they asked if they could search the vehicle. Giers consented, with the officer discovering the defendant’s wallet. Inside the wallet was a rolled up dollar bill with a white powdery substance inside of it. The substance was tested, with the forensics lab determining it to be methamphetamine.

Under the agreement, Giers received a five year sentence with four years, 11 months suspended (one month to serve). He must also pay a fine of $750.

–Heidi Page Hanson, 35, of the 4100 block of East Williamsburg Road, Sandston, entered guilty pleas to one count each to possession of a Schedule I/II drug and misdemeanor providing a false identification to a law enforcement officer.

In a summary of evidence, on July 27, 2023, a New Kent deputy traveling eastbound on Route 60 (Pocahontas Trail) noticed a vehicle driving westbound that did not have proper registration. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver, later identifying herself as Hanson, gave the officer a false name. Eventually, Hanson confessed that she provided the false name because she thought a warrant was issued for her arrest. Hanson was removed from the vehicle and a search of the jeep discovered a smoking device in a cupholder and a substance wrapped up inside of paper. The items were sent to the forensics lab, with test determining the substance was methamphetamine.

Under the plea agreement, Hanson received a 12-month sentence with all but two months suspended on the misdemeanor false identification to police conviction. All 10 years on the possession of a Schedule I/II drug were suspended. She must also pay $2,000 in fines.

–Austin Clay Nicholson, 28, of the 2300 block of Grand Strand Drive, Williamsburg, entered a guilty plea to a single charge of possession of a Schedule I/II drug as part of a plea deal.

In a summary of evidence, on Feb. 20, a New Kent deputy noticed a vehicle fail to stop at a stop sign after exiting Interstate 64. A traffic stop was conducted and the officer identified the driver as Nicholson. As a conversation engaged about the infraction, the deputy noticed a hypodermic needle in plain view. When questioned about what was in the needle, Nicholson said he thought it was heroin. The deputy searched the vehicle, discovering a blue plastic bag with a white powdery substance inside. That substance was determined to be Fentanyl. Nicholson also possessed a needle with the same substance in his pocket.

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

–Brian Wayne Parsons, 49, of 15 Becky’s Lane, Deltaville, entered guilty pleas to one count each of possession of a Schedule I/II drug, and misdemeanor eluding police as part of a plea agreement.

In a summary of evidence, on May 19, a New Kent deputy noticed a blue Ford truck with an expired registration and inspection sticker. As the officer ran information of the license plate, it was discovered that the owner, identified as Parsons, had a suspended license. The officer followed the blue Truck from Chesapeake Circle onto Interstate 64 and towards Exit 211 (Talleysville). When the truck failed to come to a complete stop at a sign, the officer turned on their lights. The truck pulled into the Pilot Travel Plaza, but then continued and went back onto eastbound Interstate 64. As the chase continued at speeds around 60 miles per hour, the officer noticed the driver tossing bags out of the window. Eventually, a second officer became involved, and the defendant pulled over. Parsons was arrested and a search of the truck yielded the discovery of clear bags with a powdery substance inside. The substance was determined to be methamphetamine after lab result tests.

Under the agreement, Parsons received a 10-year sentence with nine years, six months suspended (six months to serve) on the possession of a Schedule I/II conviction. All six months on the misdemeanor eluding charge were suspended. He must also pay $2,000 in fines.