Richmond man receives one year jail term for initiating high-speed chase in New Kent

James Alonzo McLaughlin

A Richmond man who led a high-speed chase in New Kent in 2023 will spend a year in jail.

James Alonzo McLaughlin, 41, of the 3800 block of W. Grace Street, entered guilty pleas to one count each of felony eluding, felony hit and run, and misdemeanor obstruction of justice as part of a plea agreement reached Monday in New Kent Circuit Court. Two counts of felony failure to appear and one count of misdemeanor driving while intoxicated (first offense) was dropped as part of a deal.

In a summary of evidence by New Kent Commonwealth’s Attorney Scott Renick, on Apr. 17, 2023 around 1:15 p.m., New Kent Sheriff’s Office received a call for service about a suspicious vehicle and possible intoxicated occupants. Officers responded to the Pit Stop on Chesapeake Circle in Providence Forge, locating a vehicle that matched the description. Deputies made contact with the occupants of the vehicle, with one officer observing the driver who appeared to be intoxicated.

When the deputy attempted to detain the driver and asked him to exit, the driver sped away, striking a vehicle and initiating a pursuit. The fleeing vehicle traveled southbound on North Courthouse Road (Route 155) before turning eastbound onto Pocahontas Trail (Route 60). When the vehicle attempted to turn onto Old Telegraph Road, it struck a utility pole, and the driver bailed on foot. The driver, identified as McLaughlin, surrendered shortly afterwards before passing out. He was taken to a local hospital before being processed by the jail.

McLaughlin received a five-year sentence with four years suspended (one year to serve) on the felony eluding conviction. All ten years on the felony hit and run as well as all 12 months on the misdemeanor obstruction of justice were suspended. He must also pay $1,500 in total fines.

In other circuit court matters:

–Nancy Helena Conte, 33, of the 4000 block of Quinton Road, Quinton, had one charge each of credit card larceny and misdemeanor credit card fraud nolle prosequi.

–Brandon Patrick Davis, 30, of the 16000 block of New Kent Highway, Lanexa, entered guilty pleas to two counts of possession of a Schedule I/II drug, one count of misdemeanor driving while intoxicated (first offense), and one count of violating conditions of pretrial supervision for a felony offense as part of a plea agreement. Two charges of misdemeanor violating conditions of pretrial supervision and an additional count of violating conditions of pretrial supervision were dropped as part of a plea deal.

In a summary of evidence, on Apr. 21, 2024, a New Kent deputy pulled up to the 7-Eleven in Lanexa and noticed a vehicle at the gas pump. When another vehicle drove around the car, the deputy approached the vehicle and noticed the driver slumped over the steering wheel. The officer awakened the driver, identified as Davis, and knew of the defendant’s prior history with illegal substances. When Davis was asked if he had used any drugs, he responded to the officer that he hadn’t used since the night before. However, the officer noticed signs of intoxication and a search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of a white residue, a baggie, and a smoking pipe. The items were sent to a forensics lab, with the substances being determined to be cocaine.

After being released on bail, Davis did not show up for a Dec. 2024 trial, resulting in a capias being issued for his arrest. On Jan. 7 of this year, a New Kent deputy spotted the defendant’s vehicle and executed a traffic stop. When the officer approached Davis’ vehicle, he noticed several syringes and a white powdery substance, later determined to be cocaine. The defendant was arrested and charged with the additional drug possession count.

Under the agreement, Davis received a five-year sentence with four years, six months suspended (six months to serve) on the felony failure to appear conviction. Ten years on each of the two drug possession charges, as well as all 12 months on the misdemeanor driving while intoxicated charge were suspended. He must also pay $2,000 in fines.

–Markene Dejuan Jones, 34,of the 18000 block of New Kent Highway, Barhamsville, received formal sentencing on a single count of embezzlement.

During a March 2025 trial, Jones entered a guilty plea to the charge as part of a plea deal. At that trial, Jones admitted that he stole lottery tickets from the Love’s Travel Center near Talleysville while he was employed there.

Jones received a five-year sentence with four years, five months suspended (seven months to serve) on the embezzlement conviction. He also received an additional three months for violating probation and another 10 days for violating pretrial services. He must also repay $4,400 in restitution to the company.

–Michael Tremain Rafaly, 34, of the 2900 block of West Clay Street, Richmond, entered a guilty plea to one count each of possession of a Schedule I/II substance and misdemeanor driving while intoxicated (first offense) as part of a plea deal.

In a summary of evidence, on Nov. 4, 2024, a Virginia State Police trooper operating radar near mile marker 204.5 in New Kent conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for speeding. During the stop, the officer noticed the driver, later identified as Rafaly, nervous and possibly displaying signs of intoxication. When the trooper asked Rafaly where he was going, the defendant responded that he was going to pick up his child from school. However, the officer pointed out to Rafaly that it was Saturday. The trooper also noticed clear baggies in both the center console and cupholder, leading to a search and recovery of the items. The substance was tested and determined to be cocaine by a forensics lab. Rafaly was arrested and a blood-drawn test revealed his blood-alcohol content level was .010, which is over the legal limit.

Under the agreement, no formal finding was rendered as Rafaly will enter into the First Offender Program. If he successfully completes the program, the charge will be dismissed. He received a 12-month sentence with all time suspended on the misdemeanor driving while intoxicated conviction, along with a $500 fine (with $250 suspended).