Portsmouth man facing up to four years in prison for possessing drugs, firearm illegally in New Kent

A Portsmouth man is facing up to four years in prison for possessing illegal drugs and a firearm in New Kent County.

Cornelius Woodley, 44, of the 400 block of Taft Drive, entered guilty pleas to one count each of possession of a Schedule I/II substance (heroin) and possession of a gun while in possession of a Schedule I/II substance as part of Monday afternoon proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court. One charge of possession of a firearm by a violent felon was dropped as part of the agreement.

In a summary of evidence provided by New Kent Commonwealth’s Attorney Scott Renick, on Nov. 24, 2023, a Virginia State Police trooper on routine patrol noticed a vehicle traveling slow in the fast lane on the highway. When the officer got closer, they were able to see a counterfeit inspection sticker and executed a traffic stop. As the trooper approached the vehicle, he noticed a pill bottle with a baggie inside of it. The driver, identified as Woodley, was questioned about the substance and admitted to the officer that it was cocaine. The defendant also informed the officer that there was a gun under the driver’s seat.

Under the agreement, a presentence report is being prepared with sentencing guidelines recommending a range from two years, four months to four years to serve. The plea deal indicates that the Commonwealth’s Attorney would not ask for more than three years of active incarceration.

In other circuit court matters:

–James D. Allen Brown Jr., 32, of Richmond, entered a straight guilty plea to a single count of driving felony revoked.

In a summary of evidence, on May 31, 2024, a New Kent Deputy on patrol at the intersection of Cosby Mill Road and Quaker Road noticed a gold SUV failing to stop at a stop sign. A traffic stop was executed and the driver, identified as Brown, was questioned about the offense. During the officer’s investigation, information revealed that Brown had a revoked license stemming from previous DUIs. Brown was arrested on the offense.

A presentence report is being prepared with guidelines recommending a range of one year to one year, 11 months to serve. Formal sentencing is scheduled for Apr. 14.

–Curtis Cornelius Charity, 64, of the 7600 block of Airport Drive, Quinton, entered a guilty plea to a single count of felony eluding as part of an agreement.

In a summary of evidence, on Oct. 7, 2024, New Kent Sheriff’s Office responded to a call for service about an individual involved in a domestic dispute. A deputy was able to locate a vehicle belonging to the possible suspect, later identified as Charity. When officers attempted to execute a traffic stop, the vehicle sped up and led officers on a chase with speeds reaching 80 miles per hour. The vehicle pulled into a driveway near the New Kent/Charles City border and the defendant was arrested.

Under the agreement, Charity received a five-year sentence with four years, six months suspended (six months to serve). He must also pay $1,500 in fines.

–Jennifer Elaine Eleftheriou, 44, of the 11000 block of Green Oak Road, Providence Forge, entered guilty pleas to an amended charge of misdemeanor contributing to the delinquency of a minor (originally felony child abuse) and misdemeanor driving while intoxicated with a child in the car as part of a plea deal. One charge of possession of a Schedule I/II drug was dropped as part of the agreement.

In a summary of evidence, on Aug. 21, 2024, a Virginia State Police trooper noticed a vehicle with an expired registration and executed a traffic stop. The officer detected an odor of alcohol on the driver, identified at Eleftheriou. Field sobriety tests were conducted, with the defendant during poorly on each test. A breathalyzer test was conducted next, with Eleftheriou registering a .09 blood-alcohol content reading, which is over the legal limit. In the back of her vehicle was a child under the age of 18. The defendant was arrested on the charges.

Under the agreement, Eleftheriou received a 12-month sentence with 11 months suspended (one month to serve) on the DWI first offense conviction, with five of those days being a mandatory minimum to serve under state statute. All 12 months on the contributing to the delinquency of a minor were suspended. She must also pay $2,000 in total fines for the offenses.

–Dennis Wayne Hunt, 63, of the 7100 block of Kentmore Road, Lanexa, had one charge each of possession of a Schedule I/II substance and misdemeanor driving while intoxicated dropped.

–Tedgrick Montgomery, of Glen Allen, had one charge of credit card larceny Nolle Prosequi.

–Dylan Todd Rugar, 34, of the 4600 block of Fitzhugh Avenue, Richmond, entered guilty pleas to an amended charge of misdemeanor bad check larceny (originally felony bad check larceny) and misdemeanor making a false credit report as part of a plea agreement.

In a summary of evidence, on Aug. 20, 2024, a New Kent deputy responded to a call of service about a trailer being sold by Pressure Exterior Cleaning Service. The seller said he met the buyer, identified as Rugar, and received a check for the purchase of the trailer. When the seller went to cash the check, it was determined that there were insufficient funds in Rugar’s account. The trailer was eventually returned, and Rugar was charged with the offenses.

Under the agreement, the defendant received 12-month sentences on each of the misdemeanor charges, with all time suspended. He must also pay $2,000 in total fines.