Providence Forge man receives four years in prison for selling illegal substances

A Providence Forge man will spend more than four years in prison after learning his fate Monday afternoon in New Kent Circuit Court.

Tyree Wilson Mason was sentenced on one count of selling a Schedule I/II substance. During a Sept. 17 trial, Mason accepted terms of a plea deal before a jury could hear the case. In a summary of evidence, Mason was part of an investigation by the Twin Rivers Drug Task Force, eventually leading to evidence discovering that he sold illegal narcotics. The defendant admitted the crime in court and reacknowledged it during his sentencing Monday afternoon.

Mason received a 30-year prison sentence with 25 years, eight months suspended (four years, four months to serve). He must also pay a fine of $1,000.

In other circuit court procedures:

–Tasheema Juneece Delaney, 31, of Highland Springs, entered an Alford Plea of Guilt to one count each of possession of a Schedule I/II substance and misdemeanor shoplifting as part of a plea agreement. She also entered a not guilty plea to felony failure-to-appear. An Alford Plea of Guilt means while the defendant maintains her innocence, evidence presented in the case would be enough to convict her of the offenses.

In a summary of evidence by New Kent Commonwealth’s Attorney Scott Renick, on Sept. 15, 2023, Virginia State Police were notified with a BOLO (Be On the Look Out) for a vehicle connected to possible shoplifting at the Pilot Travel Center on Emmaus Church Road. The vehicle, an old red truck, was located and a traffic stop was executed. When the officer approached, they noticed cell phone chargers matching the description of those that were taken from the store inside of the truck. Delaney, who was a passenger, was removed from the vehicle and a search of her purse yielded the discovery of a folded lottery ticket with a white powder inside. The substance was sent to the forensics lab, with it being identified as fentanyl.

Under the agreement, no formal sentence was imposed on the possession of a Schedule I/II drug as Delaney will enter into the First Offender Program. If she successfully completes the program, the charge will be dismissed. Delaney was sentenced to 12 months in jail with all time suspended on the shoplifting conviction and was also found guilty on an amended charge of misdemeanor failing to appear and received a 10-day jail sentence.

–Christopher Alex Litwin, 41, of the 300 block of Morris Lane, Shacklefords, entered guilty pleas to amended charges of misdemeanor carrying a concealed weapon-first offense (originally carrying a concealed weapon, second offense) and misdemeanor driving without an operator’s license (originally misdemeanor driving suspended) as part of a plea agreement.

In a summary of evidence, on Mar. 4 a New Kent deputy noticed a vehicle on the road that did not have an inspection sticker. The officer ran the registration of the vehicle and discovered the driver had a suspended license at the time. A traffic stop was executed and when the defendant, now identified as Litwin, stepped out the vehicle, he told the officer that he had a gun in a holster on his side. The deputy was able to locate the firearm and removed it from Litwin.

Under the agreement, Litwin received a 12-month sentence with all time suspended on the misdemeanor carrying a concealed weapon conviction. All two months imposed on driving without an operator’s license were also suspended. He must pay a total of $2,000 in fines.

–Edgar Frank Smith, 36, of the 200 block of Minor Street, Richmond, pled guilty on a single count of possession of a Schedule I/II drug as part of a plea deal.

In a summary of evidence, on Dec. 21, 2023, a New Kent deputy received information about a possible stolen vehicle on Roxbury Road within the county. The deputy was able to locate the vehicle and initiated a traffic stop. The driver and all the occupants were ordered to hold their hands in the air and step out of the vehicle. The front passenger, later identified as Smith, kept placing his hands in the air and bringing them back down. Once Smith was removed from the vehicle, it was discovered that plastic bags with a white substance along with a cut plastic straw were in the area where he was sitting. The substance was sent to the forensics lab and later determined to be cocaine.

Under the plea deal, Smith received a five-year sentence with all time suspended. He must also pay a fine of $1,000.

–James Paul Walton, 38, of the 6600 block of Jackson Road, Quinton, was found guilty on one charge each of distribution of marijuana greater than one-half ounce but less than five pounds, one charge of driving revoked (second or subsequent offense), one charge of driving revoked (third or subsequent offense), misdemeanor possession of a Schedule III drug as part of a plea agreement. One charge each of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute greater than five pounds, felony failure to appear, and misdemeanor failure to appear were nolle prosequi as part of the plea deal.

In a summary of evidence, on Jan. 30, a New Kent deputy discovered a vehicle being operated with the registered owner having their license suspended. The owner, identified as Walton, was pulled over and upon a search of the vehicle, marijuana and devices used to weigh the items were discovered in his vehicle. A similar offense also took place on Aug. 5, leading to additional charges being taken out on the defendant.

Under the agreement, Walton received a five-year sentence with three years, eight months suspended (one year, four months to serve) on the distribution of marijuana conviction. All 10 years on the driving revoked (third or subsequent offense), all five years on the driving revoked (second or subsequent offense), and all 12 months on the misdemeanor possession of a Schedule III drug were suspended.