Shacklefords man who nearly struck New Kent deputy pleads guilty to driving illegally
A Shacklefords man whose erratic driving almost resulted in tragedy has entered guilty pleas to two offenses.
Vincent Lee Richardson, 58, of the 2900 block of Stratton Major Road, entered straight guilty pleas to one count each of driving revoked (felony related) and misdemeanor reckless driving as part of Monday proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court.
In a summary of evidence by New Kent Commonwealth’s Attorney Scott Renick, on April 16, a New Kent deputy executed a traffic stop on a vehicle on the Eltham Bridge at the northern border of the county. While the officer was dealing with that stop, he noticed a vehicle approaching at a high rate of speed drifting towards the emergency lane during the stop. The officer was able to leap out the way to avoid being struck by vehicle, which pulled over shortly after. The deputy released the driver from the first stop and approached the other vehicle. The driver of the second vehicle, identified as Richardson, began to apologize for his driving. The deputy detected the odor of alcohol on Richardson and asked him to step out of the vehicle. While Richardson was not legally intoxicated, a search of his driver’s license showed that he was revoked for alcohol-related driving. Richardson was arrested and taken into custody, with the defendant admitting that he knew he shouldn’t have been driving.
A presentence is being prepared for Richardson with guidelines recommending a sentence range between one year, five months to three years, four months to serve. Sentencing for the defendant is scheduled for Jan. 2025.
In other circuit court matters:
–Lonya Nickole Brammer, 29, of the 4200 block of Old Holly Hills Road, Charles City, entered a no contest plea to a single count of possession of a Schedule I/II drug as part of a plea agreement. A no contest plea indicates that evidence presented in the case would be enough to convict the defendant of the crime.
In a summary of evidence, on Jan. 4, a New Kent deputy on patrol at Toe Ink Wayside in New Kent noticed a vehicle passing at a high rate of speed with expired registration tags. A traffic stop was executed and the driver, identified as Brammer, did not have an operator’s license at the time. Before the vehicle was towed, a K-9 unit was brought to the scene for a free air sniff, with the dog indicating possible drugs in the vehicle. A purse belonging to Brammer was searched, resulting in the discovery of orange pills inside of a bottle. The pills were sent to the forensics lab, with the results yielding a positive hit for amphetamine.
Under the plea agreement, Brammer will enter into the First Offender Program. If she successfully completes the program, the charge will be dismissed.
–Jacob Bryan Cahoon, 29, of the 6500 block of New Kent Highway, Quinton, entered guilty pleas to two counts of possession of a Schedule I/II drug as part of a plea agreement.
In a summary of evidence, on Aug. 25, 2023, a search warrant for Cahoon’s arrest was executed on him at his resident. When Cahoon was taken into custody, a pat down of the suspect recovered bags with powdery substances in them. The substances were sent to the forensics lab, with test results determining the substances to be cocaine and methamphetamine.
Under the agreement, Cahoon’s sentencing has been deferred for a year as the defendant is in a treatment recovery program.
–Daniel William Johnson, 39, of the 800 block of Marl Hill Road, West Point, entered guilty pleas to one count each of driving while intoxicated (third or subsequent offense) and misdemeanor driving revoked as part of a plea deal.
In a summary of evidence, on Apr. 15, 2023, a New Kent deputy executed a traffic stop on a vehicle on New Kent Highway (Route 249) after noticing suspicious driving. When the officer approached, they detected the odor of alcohol. The driver, identified as Johnson, refused to take a breathalyzer test and was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving. A blood sample was eventually taken with results showing that Johnson was over the legal limit. A subsequent background search also showed that the defendant had committed the offense two prior times, and his license was revoked due to those offenses.
Under the agreement, Johnson received a five-year sentence with all but three months suspended on the driving while intoxicated conviction. All 12 months on the misdemeanor driving revoked were suspended.