Category: Caroline County

Another drug dealer behind bars…

From Caroline County Sheriff’s Office: More Drug Arrests in Caroline:

William J. Coleman, 36, of Bowling Green, a suspect accused of transporting illegal drugs from Boston and distributing those drugs in the Bowling Green area has been captured.

The Caroline County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at Coleman’s residence in Lakeshore Trailer Park on August 3, 2007, which resulted in the seizure of a sizeable quantity of narcotics.  Coleman was able to escape capture at the time of the search warrant.  Caroline Narcotics Officers worked in conjunction with Detectives from the Massachusetts State Police and the Chicopee, Massachusetts Police Department to locate and arrest Coleman.

Coleman is currently being held without bond in Massachusetts.  As a result of this investigation he has been charged with additional drug related charges by the Chicopee Massachusetts Police Department. 

Following Coleman’s court appearance for the charges in Massachusetts Coleman will be extradited back to Caroline County in order to face prosecution for drug distribution charges stemming from the Caroline Sheriff’s Office investigation.

Sheriff Lippa said, “This apprehension was a success in large part due to tips and information provided by the community.  I would like to give a special thanks to all of the citizens that continue to assist the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office in our fight against crime and our war on illegal drugs.”

Your county tax dollars at work…

Editing Wikipedia? I kid you not:

Someone with the IP address 166.61.231.210 has made three anonymous edits (#1 on September 14, 2006, #2 on September 14, 2006, and #3 on July 17, 2007) to the Caroline County, Virginia Wikipedia page. The person added the following to the page:

During the Colonial Period, Caroline County was the birthplace of Thoroughbred Racing in North America. Arabian horses were imported from England to provide the basis for American breeding stock.

Patriot Edmund Pendleton played a large role in the Virginia Resolution for Independence (1775) and Caroline native, John Penn, was a signer of the Declaration of Independence (www.foundersofamerica.org).

Explorers, William Clark and his slave, York, were members of the Lewis and Clark Expedition (1803); both were born near what is now Ladysmith, Virginia in Caroline.

[…]

Caroline County is serviced by US Interstate 95 and has the second most profitable interchange in Virginia at Carmel Church, exit 104.

[…]

Economic growth in Caroline in the last five years have been rapid, mostly due to affordable housing and close proximity to Northern Virginia and Washington D.C. In 2005, Caroline was recognized as the 10th Fastest Growing County in America. Also in 2005, Caroline County won the Virginia Community Ecomomic [sic] Development Award (CEDA) for Business Recruitment and the CEDA Award for the entire south from the Southern Economic Development Council.

Among recent Economic Development successes in Caroline have been the recruitment of the State Fair of Virginia, to open in 2008 (previously in Richmond for 151 years), Remuda Ranch, The Virginia Sports Complex, and the multi-national electronics firm, M.C. Dean.

The IP address, 166.61.231.210, returns to a subdomain of co.caroline.va.us, the official Caroline County Government website.

Now, I have three questions: a) What Caroline County government employee edited this Wikipedia page?; b) Is the county paying this employee to edit Wikipedia pages?; and c) Do I have to sit in his office and find something more important for him to do?

I have a feeling the employee in question is (or works for) the Director of Economic Development Gary Wilson. Considering most of the information placed on the Wikipedia page appears to be from Gary Wilson’s own county website (note that he has a link to www.foundersofamerica.org on his website, which is used as a source in the Wikipedia page).

UPDATE: Turns out that Gary Wilson is the Project Director of the www.foundersofamerica.org website (his administrative assistant, Cassie Ruby, is also an assistant on the website as well).

It also begs the question of why the county is paying $262,015 for Economic Development and the personnel there can’t find anything better to do than edit Wikipedia pages.

Registration Open For Caroline Alert System

From http://www.visitcaroline.com/carolinealert.html:

REGISTRATION OPEN FOR CAROLINE ALERT SYSTEM

Registration is now being accepted for Caroline County’s new Alert System.

Caroline Alert is an emergency communication system sponsored by County government, emergency management officials, law enforcement and first responders to send emergency alerts, notifications and updates to those who want to register. Updates can be received on a cell phone, pager, Blackberry, PDA and and/or e-mail account on a desktop or laptop computer.

For example, in the event of an emergency such as a severe weather incident, Caroline County emergency management personnel will send important alerts, updates and instructions to the cell phone or other devices using text message (SMS) feature or to the respective e-mail account. The same process will work for example in the Parks and Recreation Department to notify parents, players and coaches of schedule changes and/or cancellations.

Registration is free to anyone who lives or works in Caroline County. Subscribers will be responsible for any text message costs charged by their wireless carrier.

Subscribers will have the choice to register for what notifications are of interest to them by visiting www.CarolineAlert.com. Once the process is complete, subscribers will start receiving alerts in the very near future.

The information you submit is private and will not be viewed or shared by anyone other than administrative personnel.

Caroline County Public School Division overall fails to make adequate yearly progress (AYP)…

and only two schools (Bowling Green Primary and Bowling Green Elementary) made adequate yearly progress period. Meanwhile, 72% of the schools in Virginia did make AYP.

PDFs for the schools:

Apparently, $34,832,460 (operating budget only) isn’t enough money for Caroline County Public Schools. Am I the only one that thinks we need vouchers? They spent $7,952.68 per student last year; with that amount of money you could send your child to Fredericksburg Christian Schools and have between $722.68 and $1814.68 (depending on grade) left over.

Bill Pickett (candidate, Board of Supervisors, I-Mattaponi District) wants to increase the gas tax?

CORRECTION: Bill Pickett NOT for gas tax increase

Apparently, from The Caroline Progress (print edition, August 22, 2007): Candidates for Board of Supervisors reveal their visions for Caroline County:

Pickett also said the county should look into raising revenues by a small increase in the tax on gas.

Really, a “small increase”? How much, exactly, is a “small increase”?

With all the gas sold at Carmel Church where numerous interstate travelers stop to refuel, a small increase in the gas tax would bring in needed revenue while having a minimal impact on county residents, he said.

“[A] minimal impact on county residents”? Don’t county residents buy gas in the county? The average cost of gas is already $2.64 in Virginia. How about talking about better spending money than raising taxes?

Do you want to be paying more for gas just because the Board of Supervisors can’t stop spending $17,460 per board member for their salaries (they’ve increased their salaries for at least five straight years [or as they call it “[n]o significant changes”]), or $100,000 on courthouse greenery, or $1,100,000 on a visitor center, or $3,200,000 on a community recreation facility?

Justice in Caroline? Nope, just nolle prosequis. Part 4, a trip down memory lane.

Since there was no court proceedings section in the August 15, 2007, edition of The Caroline Progress, I decided to go way back to the June 27, 2007, and July 4, 2007, editions.

From The Caroline Progress (print edition, June 27, 2007): General District Court-June 15 and 22 [emphasis mine throughout]:

Deonia Melissa Sue Donald, of Ruther Glen, was charged with felony prescription fraud from an incident on Nov. 15, 2006. The charge was nolle prosequi. A subsequent charge of failure to appear on the felony charge from Feb. 2 was also nolle prosequi. Two felony possession of controlled substance charges from the same incident were certified to grand jury. Donald was arrested by Caroline County Sheriff’s deputy [sic] DIP [sic] on the day of the incident and held in custody.

The Caroline Progress needs to do a little fact-checking before publishing. First, only one of the two controlled substance charges were certified; the other was nolle prosequi. Second, she was also charged with possession of marijuana, which was also nolle prosequi. Third, I believe she was only held in custody following her arrest on the failure to appear (which was later nolle prosequi). But anyway, a complete breakdown:

  • Deonia Melissa Sue Donald’s partial criminal history (felonies in bold, nolle prosequi by Harvey Latney in italics):
    • September 6, 2007, Stafford County General District:
      • Pending – Driving on suspended license.
      • Pending – Failure to appear on misdemeanor.
      • Pending – Capias/Failure to appear.
      • Pending – Capias/Failure to comply pretrial.
    • June 15, 2007, Caroline County General District:
      • Nolle prosequi – Prescription fraud.
      • Nolle prosequi – Failure to appear on felony charge.
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of controlled substance.
      • Grand Jury (Pending in Circuit Court, next hearing September 25, 2007) – Possession of controlled substance.
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of marijuana.
    • March 8, 2007, Stafford County General District:
      • Guilty in absentia – Operating uninspected vehicle.
    • May 24, 2006, Caroline County General District:
      • Prepaid – Safety belt violation.

Jermaine Brown, of Ruther Glen, was charged with felony grand larceny from an incident on Feb. 20. He was arrested by Caroline County Sheriff’s Deputy Cecil on Feb. 21 and held in custody. The charge was nolle prosequi.

  • Jermaine Brown’s partial criminal history (felonies in bold, nolle prosequi by Harvey Latney in italics):
    • October 12, 2007, Caroline County General District:
      • Pending – Possession of stolen goods.
      • Pending – Forged license plates.
    • August 10, 2007, Caroline County General District:
      • Guilty, appealing to Circuit Court – Assault
      • Guilty, appealing to Circuit Court – Assault
      • Guilty, appealing to Circuit Court – Disorderly Conduct
    • June 15, 2007, Caroline County General District:
      • Nolle prosequi – Grand larceny.

So Mr. Jermaine Brown was held in custody for 114 days, went through four hearings, just to have the charge nolle prosequi? How much did that cost the county? How about the other charges he has been convicted of (he is appealing them) and the ones he is charged with now?

Quinton W. Byrd, of Bowling Green, was charged with misdemeanor possession of concealed weapon from an incident on March 24. The charge was nolle prosequi.

The Caroline Progress leaves out the fact he was convicted of driving under the influence the same day. A drunk illegally carrying a concealed weapon? I guess that isn’t worth prosecuting. He was probably going to Bible study anyway.

  • Quinton W. Byrd’s partial criminal history (felonies in bold, nolle prosequi by Harvey Latney in italics):
    • June 15, 2007, Caroline County General District:
      • Nolle prosequi – Concealed weapon.
      • Guilty – Driving under the influence.

Lashiba Cameo Budd, of Ruther Glen, was charged with misdemeanor shoplifting from an incident on April 2. The charge was nolle prosequi.

  • Lashiba Cameo Budd’s partial criminal history (felonies in bold, nolle prosequi by Harvey Latney in italics):
    • June 22, 2007, Caroline County General District:
      • Nolle prosequi – Shoplifting.
    • September 30, 2005, Caroline County General District:
      • Nolle prosequi – Intent to sell controlled substance.
    • April 22, 2003, Stafford County General District:
      • Guilty in absentia – Driving on suspended license.
    • August 6, 2001, Caroline County General District:
      • Guilty – Cursing abuse.

From The Caroline Progress (print edition, July 4, 2007): Circuit Court-Month of June [emphasis mine throughout]:

Kenneth W. Derricotte, of Ruther Glen, was charged with felony possession of crack cocaine from a March 28, 2006 incident. The charge was nolle prosequi.

  • Kenneth W. Derricotte’s partial criminal history (felonies in bold, nolle prosequi by Harvey Latney in italics):
    • June 20, 2007, Caroline County Circuit Court:
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of crack cocaine.
    • February 16, 2007, Caroline County General District:
      • Nolle prosequi – Shoplifting.
      • Guilty – Failure to appear on misdemeanor charge.
    • June 30, 2006, Caroline County General District:
      • Guilty – Drunk in public.
    • January 21, 2004 Caroline County General District:
      • Guilty – Shoplifting.

Benjamin Garlick, of Bowling Green, was charged with felony distribution of cocaine from an Oct. 13, 2006 incident. He was arrested on April 16, 2007 following a direct indictment by Caroline County grand jury. The charged was nolle prosequi. Another felony distribution of cocaine charge against Garlick was continued to Aug. 14.

  • Benjamin Garlick’s partial criminal history (felonies in bold, nolle prosequi by Harvey Latney in italics):
    • August 14, 2007, Caroline County Circuit Court:
      • Guilty – Distribution of cocaine.
    • June 20, 2007, Caroline County Circuit Court:
      • Nolle prosequi – Distribution of cocaine.
    • May 20, 2003, Fredericksburg General District:
      • Guilty – Entering property with intent to damage.
    • May 10, 2001, Caroline County General District:
      • Guilty – No valid operator’s license.

Angela Latney, of Bowling Green, was charged with felony distribution of cocaine from an Oct. 19, 2005 incident. She was arrested on April 16, 2007 following a direct indictment by Caroline County grand jury. The charge was nolle prosequi. Two other charges against Latney of felony distribution of cocaine were continued to July 24.

  • Angela Latney’s partial criminal history (felonies in bold, nolle prosequi by Harvey Latney in italics):
    • July 24, 2007, Caroline County Circuit Court:
      • Guilty – Distribution of cocaine.
      • Guilty – Distribution of cocaine.
    • June 20, 2007, Caroline County Circuit Court:
      • Nolle prosequi – Distribution of cocaine.
      • Nolle prosequi – Distribution of cocaine.
      • Nolle prosequi – Distribution of cocaine.

Michael Freeman, of Ruther Glen, was charged with five counts of felony distribution of cocaine from 2005. He was arrested on Jan. 9, 2007 following a direct indictment by Caroline County grand jury. Four of the charges were nolle prosequi. He was found guilty of one count of distribution of cocaine following a bench trial on June 26 and sentenced to five years with four years and three months suspended.

  • Michael Freeman’s partial criminal history (felonies in bold, nolle prosequi by Harvey Latney in italics):
    • June 26, 2007, Caroline County Circuit Court:
      • Guilty – Distribution of cocaine.
      • Nolle prosequi – Distribution of cocaine.
      • Nolle prosequi – Distribution of cocaine.
      • Nolle prosequi – Distribution of cocaine.
      • Nolle prosequi – Distribution of cocaine.

James Laplante, of Ruther Glen, was charged with six counts of felony distribution of cocaine from late 2005 and early 2006. He was arrested on Jan. 9, 2007 following a direct indictment by Caroline County grand jury. Five of the charges were nolle prosequi. He was found guilty of one count of distribution of cocaine following a bench trial on June 26. He was sentenced to five years with four years and three months suspended.

  • James Laplante’s partial criminal history (felonies in bold, nolle prosequi by Harvey Latney in italics):
    • June 26, 2007, Caroline County Circuit Court:
      • Guilty – Distribution of cocaine.
      • Nolle prosequi – Distribution of cocaine.
      • Nolle prosequi – Distribution of cocaine.
      • Nolle prosequi – Distribution of cocaine.
      • Nolle prosequi – Distribution of cocaine.
      • Nolle prosequi – Distribution of cocaine.
    • January 23, 2007, Hanover County General District:
      • Guilty – Identify fraud.
      • Guilty – Public swearing or intoxication.
      • Guilty – Reckless driving.
    • January 20, 2004, Hanover County General District:
      • Guilty in absentia – Operating vehicle with expired rejection sticker.

Julio Castellon, of Bowling Green, was charged with seven counts of felony distribution of cocaine from early 2007. He was arrested on May 14 following a direct indictment by Caroline County grand jury. Four the charges were nolle prosequi. The other three were continued for a bench trial on Aug. 14.

He wasn’t charged with seven counts of distribution of cocaine; he was charged with five counts of distribution of cocaine, possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, and possessing a firearm while possessing cocaine, but anyway:

  • Julio Castellon’s partial criminal history (felonies in bold, nolle prosequi by Harvey Latney in italics):
    • August 24, 2007, Caroline County General District:
      • Pending – Possession of Schedule I/II drug with intent to distribute.
      • Pending – Capias – Failure to comply pretrial/arraignment.
    • August 14, 2007, Caroline County Circuit Court:
      • Guilty – Distribution of cocaine.
      • Guilty – Distribution of cocaine.
      • Guilty – Distribution of cocaine.
    • July 6, 2007, Caroline County General District:
      • Guilty – Possession of marijuana.
    • June 26, 2007, Caroline County Circuit Court:
      • Nolle prosequi – Distribution of cocaine.
      • Nolle prosequi – Distribution of cocaine.
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.
      • Nolle prosequi – Possessing firearm while possessing cocaine.
    • January 5, 2007, Caroline County General District:
      • Guilty – No driver’s license.
      • Prepaid – Defective equipment.
    • April 26, 2006, Caroline County General District:
      • Guilty – No driver’s license.

From The Caroline Progress (print edition, July 4, 2007): General District Court-June 29 [emphasis mine throughout]:

Mark Edward Powell, of Ruther Glen, was charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle from an incident on Jan. 21. The charge was nolle prosequi.

  • Mark Edward Powell’s partial criminal history (felonies in bold, nolle prosequi by Harvey Latney in italics):
    • August 24, 2007, Caroline County General District:
      • Pending – Hit and run.
      • Pending – Habitual offender.
      • Pending – Reckless Driving.
    • June 29, 2007, Caroline County General District:
      • Nolle prosequi – Unauthorized use of vehicle.
      • Guilty – Petit larceny – vehicle/parts.
    • September 15, 2006, Spotsylvania County General District:
      • Prepaid – Failure to obey no wake zone.
    • March 18, 2005, Caroline County General District:
      • Guilty – Possession of marijuana.
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of a controlled substance.
      • Nolle prosequi – Drunk in public.
    • February 5, 2004, Fredericksburg General District:
      • Guilty – Shoplifting, second offense.
    • January 8, 2004, Spotsylvania County General District:
      • Guilty – Failure to comply with VASAP.
    • August 21, 2003, Spotsylvania County General District:
      • Guilty – Failure to appear on misdemeanor.
      • Guilty – Driving while intoxicated, second offense.
    • April 13, 2001, Caroline County General District:
      • Guilty – Driving on suspended license.
      • Nolle prosequi – Defective equipment.
    • February 8, 2000, Fredericksburg General District:
      • Guilty – Petit larceny.
    • December 27, 1999, Spotsylvania County General District:
      • Guilty – Drunk in public.
    • January 22, 1999, Caroline County General District:
      • Guilty – Driving on suspended license.
      • Guilty – Failure to appear.
      • Nolle prosequi – Failure to report accident.
      • Nolle prosequi – Reckless driving.

Anthony J. Stewart, of Ruther Glen, was charged with two felony counts of possession of controlled substance from an incident on March 18. One charge was nolle prosequi. The other was certified to grand jury.

  • Anthony J. Stewart’s partial criminal history (felonies in bold, nolle prosequi by Harvey Latney in italics):
    • June 29, 2007, Caroline County General District:
      • Grand jury – Possession of a controlled substance.
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of a controlled substance.
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of marijuana.
    • August 6, 2006, Caroline County General District:
      • Guilty in absentia – 79/55 reckless driving.
    • September 21, 1999, Stafford County General District:
      • Fugitive file – Driving after being declared a habitual offender.
      • Fugitive file – Failure to appear.
      • Fugitive file – Possession of marijuana.
      • Fugitive file – Defective equipment.
      • Fugitive file – Seat belt violation.
    • June 14, 1999, Spotsylvania County General District:
      • Guilty – Possession of marijuana.
    • February 16, 1999, Spotsylvania County General District:
      • Guilty – Trespassing.
    • January 25, 1999, Fredericksburg Circuit:
      • Guilty – Driving suspended, second offense.
    • November 10, 1998, Fredericksburg General District:
      • Guilty – Running red light.
    • February 3, 1998, Spotsylvania County General District:
      • Guilty – Speeding 60/45.

Timothy Thomas Gaumer, of Woodford, was charged with misdemeanor use of obscene language and misdemeanor assault from an incident on June 4. Both charges were nolle prosequi.

  • Timothy Thomas Gaumer’s partial criminal history (felonies in bold, nolle prosequi by Harvey Latney in italics):
    • June 29, 2007, Caroline County General District:
      • Nolle prosequi – Obscene language.
      • Nolle prosequi – Assault.
    • July 18, 2005, Fredericksburg Circuit:
      • Sentence/Probation revoked – Violation of parole.
    • November 17, 2004, Caroline County Circuit:
      • Guilty – Assault.
      • Guilty – Malicious wounding.
    • July 17, 2000, Fredericksburg Circuit:
      • Guilty – Attempted robbery.
      • Guilty – Assault and battery.
    • January 21, 2000, Stafford County General District:
      • Guilty – Defrauding innkeeper.
    • November 18, 1999, Fredericksburg General District:
      • Guilty – Open burning.
      • Guilty – Drunk in public.
    • November 9, 1999, Fredericksburg General District:
      • Guilty – Trespassing.
    • September 16, 1999, Fredericksburg General District:
      • Guilty – Trespassing.
      • Guilty – Drinking in public.
    • August 19, 1999, Fredericksburg General District:
      • Guilty in absentia – Possessing alcohol on riverbank.
      • Guilty in absentia – Drinking in public.
      • Guilty in absentia – Drinking in public.
    • July 13, 1999, Fredericksburg General District:
      • Guilty – Petit larceny.
    • July 12, 1999, Spotsylvania County General District:
      • Guilty in absentia – Drunk in public.
    • April 21, 1999, Caroline County General District:
      • Guilty in absentia – Failure to use seatbelt.
    • December 11, 1998, Caroline County General District:
      • Nolle prosequi – Abduction.
    • October 21, 1998, Caroline County General District:
      • Guilty – Obstruction of justice.
    • January 17, 1997, Caroline County General District:
      • Guilty – Failure to appear.

Laura Lee Whittemore, of Corbin, was charged with misdemeanor damaging property from an incident on June 4. The charge was nolle prosequi.

  • Laura Lee Whittemore’s partial criminal history (felonies in bold, nolle prosequi by Harvey Latney in italics):
    • June 29, 2007, Caroline County General District:
      • Nolle prosequi – Damaging property.
    • June 22, 2007, Caroline County General District:
      • Guilty – Driving while suspended.
      • Guilty – Operating uninspected vehicle.
    • June 11, 2007, Spotsylvania County General District:
      • Guilty – Driving on suspended license.
    • April 21, 2006, Caroline County General District:
      • Guilty – Driving on suspended license.
      • Guilty – No registration card.
      • Guilty – 70/55 speeding.
    • March 15, 2004, Spotsylvania County General District:
      • Guilty – Driving while suspended.
      • Guilty – Failure to appear on misdemeanor.
    • January 25, 2001, Spotsylvania County General District:
      • Guilty in absentia – Driving while operator’s license suspended.
      • Guilty in absentia – Show cause, failure to appear on misdemeanor.
      • Guilty in absentia – Failure to secure child under the age of 16 with seatbelt.
    • April 1, 1999, Spotsylvania County General District:
      • Guilty in absentia – Operating vehicle without license.
    • November 13, 1998, Stafford County General District:
      • Guilty in absentia – No valid operator’s license.

Gregory Leroy Boone, of Woodford, was charged with drinking while driving. The charge was nolle prosequi.

  • Gregory Leroy Boone’s partial criminal history (felonies in bold, nolle prosequi by Harvey Latney in italics):
    • September 21, 2007, Caroline County General District:
      • Pending – Revocation of suspended sentence.
    • June 29, 2007, Caroline County General District:
      • Nolle prosequi – Drinking while driving
      • Guilty – Driving while intoxicated, second offense within five years.
      • Guilty – Driving after forfeiture of license.
    • April 7, 2006, Caroline County General District:
      • Guilty – Second driving under the influence.
      • Guilty – 56/45 speeding.
    • May 24, 2001, Spotsylvania County General District:
      • Guilty – Expired registration.
    • May 28, 1998, Spotsylvania County General District:
      • Guilty – Improper driving.

NOTE: (For the criminal histories, I only checked Caroline, Hanover, King George, Spotsylvania, and Stafford counties, as well as the city of Fredericksburg.)

This is rich…

From The Caroline Progress (print edition, August 15, 2007) [emphasis mine]:

To the Editor:

This is to inform the public that the debate held on Monday for candidates seeking election to the Board of Supervisors will not be attended by Damon Gray, Sr. because of prior commitments. Also I feel it would be a conflict of interest because of my being a contractor in the county.

I have been asked by a member of the Caroline Democratic Committee to attend a meeting on Sat., Aug. 18, at 10 a.m., being held at Aunt Sarah’s Pancake House. The purpose is to ask for support from the Democratic Party since I am a registered Democrat.

Thanks for the support you, the public, have shown me. I can be reached at (804) 633-4200 anytime for anyone who may wish to contact me.

-Damon L. Gray, Sr.

If he’s a registered Democrat, why didn’t he run as a Democrat, instead of running as an independent? Do you see Jeff Sili or Bobby Popowicz running as independents?

Of course, honesty doesn’t appear to be one of Mr. Gray’s strong suits, from The Caroline Progress, Almost every supervisor seat contested [emphasis mine]:

Election newcomer Damon Gray, who is seeking the Bowling Green District seat left vacant by retiring incumbent Bob Farmer, recently answered questions about two prior misdemeanor convictions.

Gray, 55, is running as an independent candidate against Republican Jeff Sili and Independent George Spaulding. Gray said he decided to seek election because he wants to make a change.

He said that the people who know him know that he’s a trustworthy person.

“I have nothing to hide,” he said. “I’m an upstanding member of the community.”

The conviction for possession of marijuana came in December 2001, after allegations were made that Gray brought illegal substances onto Fort A.P. Hill, where his contractor’s company was doing work for the 2001 Boy Scout Jamboree. A concurrent felony charge of possession of controlled substance was nolle prosequi.

Gray, who was also convicted in January of this year of misdemeanor spotlighting a deer by firearm, said that he does not think the convictions should have any impact on the campaign.

“I’d rather it stay in the past, but the people who know me will support me,” he said.

Yeah, I bet, a 55 year-old caught with marijuana and who likes to spotlight deer. I guess some people never grow up.

Nice to see where your money is going…

Can someone explain to me why the Caroline County Board of Supervisors decided to use proffer money, money that is required from housing developers for roads, schools, and public safety, on a visitor center?

$1,100,000 of money that is supposed to go to roads, schools, and public safety, and it goes to a visitor center? What the hell is going on here?

Meanwhile, fire/EMS and the sheriff’s office can’t get a public safety building and they’re told to “rehabilitate existing facilities”; with what money?

Things that $1,100,000 could have been spent on:

  • The pay for approximately twenty-two (22) full-time deputies or full-time fire/EMS personnel for one year.
  • The technology plan for schools for the next eleven years.
  • The technology plan for planning and community development with $108,866 left over.
  • A new animal shelter with $350,000 left over.
  • 78.57% of the money for renovations requested by the Frog Level Volunteer Fire Department/Rescue Squad.
  • 69.33% of the money for the structure and equipment for a Carmel Church Fire/Rescue Squad, including a fire truck, an ambulance, and equipment.
  • 27.5% of the money for a Public Safety Building, requested by Fire/EMS and the sheriff’s office.
  • 22.92% of the money for a new radio system requested by the sheriff’s office (it’s hard to do your job when your radio doesn’t work in half the county).
  • 5.34% for a new school in Bowling Green.
  • 5.09% for a Milford Elementary School.

But apparently, the Board of Supervisors and Percy Ashcraft have bigger concerns than the education and safety of the county’s residents.

Sources:
Percy Ashcraft’s Letter to the Editor
Proffers Fund for the 2007-2008 fiscal year budget

Justice in Caroline? Nope, just nolle prosequis. Part 3, a two-week roundup.

Previous posts:

NOTE: There was no court proceedings section in the July 25, 2007 edition of The Caroline Progress.

From The Caroline Progress (August 1, 2007 print edition): General District Court–July 27 [emphasis mine throughout]:

Clyde Dwain Jett, of Woodford, is charged with felony possession of firearm by a felon. He was arrested on Oct. 27, 2006 by Caroline County Deputy S.L. Cary and held in custody. Following a disposition hearing on July 27, the charge was nolle prosequi.

  • Clyde Dwain Jett’s partial criminal history (felonies in bold, nolle prosequi by Harvey Latney in italics):
    • July 27, 2007, Caroline County General District:
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession or transport of a firearm by a convicted felon.
    • June 30, 2006, Caroline County General District:
      • Guilty – Petit Larceny.
    • May 31, 2006, Fredericksburg Circuit:
      • Guilty – Possession of cocaine.
    • May 4, 2006, Fredericksburg General District:
      • Guilty – Driving under the influence.
      • Guilty – Failure to appear.
    • March 2, 2006, Fredericksburg General District:
      • Guilty – Obstructing justice.
    • November 11, 2005, Spotsylvania County General District:
      • Guilty – Brandishing firearm.

Apparently, a felon possessing a firearm isn’t an important case for Harvey Latney. And if there was a problem with the case, search, or evidence, why did it take four hearings to figure it out? Meanwhile, the suspect is sitting in jail for 273 days awaiting trial. I wonder how much that cost to feed, house, and clothe the suspect for his stay at Pamunkey Regional Jail.

From The Caroline Progress (August 1, 2007 print edition): Circuit Court–July 24 [emphasis mine throughout]:

Montreal J. Robinson, of no known address, was found guilty of felony distribution of cocaine from an incident on Jan. 19, 1006 [sic]. He was arrested on Jan. 9, 2007 following a direct indictment by Caroline County Grand Jury. He was sentenced to five years with three years and 10 months suspended. Two additional distribution charges from separate incidents on Sept. 26 and 29, 2005 were nolle prosequi.

  • Montreal Javon Robinson’s partial criminal history (felonies in bold, nolle prosequi by Harvey Latney in italics):
    • July 24, 2007, Caroline County Circuit:
      • Guilty – Distribution of cocaine.
      • Nolle prosequi – Distribution of cocaine.
      • Nolle prosequi – Distribution of cocaine.
    • February 2, 2007, Caroline County General District:
      • Nolle prosequi – Forgery.
      • Nolle prosequi – Failure to appear on felony charge.
      • Nolle prosequi – Forgery.
      • Nolle prosequi – False statements.

From The Caroline Progress (August 8, 2007 print edition): General District Court–Aug. 3 [emphasis mine throughout]:

Tyrone Lee Jackson, of Ruther Glen, was charged with felony malicious bodily injury from an incident on March 6. He was arrested on March 13 by Caroline County Sheriff’s Deputy Ketchem and held in custody. Following a preliminary hearing, the charge was nolle prosequi.

  • Tyrone Lee Jackson’s partial criminal history (felonies in bold, nolle prosequi by Harvey Latney in italics):
    • August 3, 2007, Caroline County General District:
      • Nolle prosequi – Malicious bodily injury.
    • May 27, 2005, Caroline County General District:
      • Guilty – Obscene language.
      • Guilty – Open container.
      • Guilty – Driving under the influence.
      • Nolle prosequi – Drinking while driving.

Let’s see, so that’s 143 days and five hearings that he sat in Pamunkey Regional Jail for; being housed, fed, and clothed, just to have the charge nolle prosequied. I wonder how much that cost.

Brandon Matthew Zagora, of Ruther Glen, is charged with two counts of felony grand larceny from an incident on May 27. He was arrested on May 28 by Caroline County Sheriff’s Deputy Grimes and held in custody. The charged were certified to Caroline County Grand Jury. Zagora was also charged with felony possession of stolen goods, but following the preliminary hearing, that charge was nolle prosequi.

Phyllis D. Washington, of Bowling Green, faced a charge of felony larceny for writing a bad check for more than $200. The offense allegedly occurred on March 7, 2005 and Washington was arrested on July 3, 2007 and released on recognizance. Following a preliminary hearing, the charge was nolle prosequi.

Sources:

NOTE: (For the criminal histories, I only checked Caroline, Hanover, King George, Spotsylvania, and Stafford counties, as well as the city of Fredericksburg.)

More Drug Arrests in Caroline.

From Caroline County Sheriff’s Office: More Drug Arrests in Caroline [emphasis mine]:

According to Sheriff A. A. “Tony” Lippa, on August 3, 2007, the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office, Hanover County Sheriff’s Office, and the Virginia State Police executed a search warrant at 16161 Hank Court, concluding an undercover drug operation in the Bowling Green area. 

As a part of this ongoing operation, Caroline County Narcotics Deputies identified a subject suspected of transporting large amounts of cocaine from Boston Massachusetts to the Bowling Green area.  The Caroline County Sheriff’s Office personnel seized what is believed to be powder cocaine, crack cocaine, ecstasy and numerous prescription pills along with two vehicles belonging to William Coleman. 

Upon execution of the search warrant, Katrina Simmons, 32, of St. Louis, MO, was charged at the residence with distribution of cocaine and held without bond at the Pamunkey Regional Jail.  Sheriff Lippa further stated that “William Coleman, 36, 16161 Hank Court, Bowling Green, VA is still at large for drug related charges.  We are actively searching for his whereabouts.  Williams is described as a black male, 5’7”, 180 lbs., black hair, and brown eyes.  Anyone having information regarding the whereabouts of William Coleman may call our 24 hour number 804-633-5400 or the anonymous tip line, 804-633-1133, in order to help the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office bring this suspect to justice.”