Courts

Former Matoaca High teacher gets six months for contributing to the delinquency of a minor

By Caleb M Soptelean on February 26, 2019 Courts, For the Record, Schools, Teachers

Longtime Matoaca High teacher Craig D. Nixon was sentenced last week to 24 months in jail with all but six months suspended for two misdemeanor counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. The sentence came down after a plea agreement resulted in two felonies being downgraded. Nixon, 51, taught at the Chesterfield County school for 18 years and had no prior criminal record. He was originally charged with indecent liberties with a 16-year-old girl who was a student at the school. As part of his sentence, Nixon – a Midlothian resident – was required to complete a psychosexual…

‘Progressive’ moves underway: Miles details policies that commonwealth attorney’s office has implemented

By Caleb M Soptelean on February 12, 2019 Chesterfield Government, Courts, For the Record

Chesterfield’s Commonwealth Attorney Scott Miles in his office. After two and a half months on the job, Chesterfield’s Commonwealth Attorney Scott Miles believes progress is being made. Democrat Miles, who won a close race over Republican John Childrey in November to finish the final 13 1/2 months of Billy Davenport’s term, was sworn in Nov. 13. Several changes that he touted during the campaign have been made, although it seems likely that he will not be able to accomplish one having to do with increasing treatment options by the time the November election rolls around. Stacey Davenport, a Republican not…

Charges withdrawn for second time in Tasing incident

By Caleb M Soptelean on February 5, 2019 Courts, For the Record, Police

James Monk, on right, speaks May 31 at the Chester Library. Tavorise Marks is in the center. Misdemeanor obstruction of justice and illegal window tint charges were recently withdrawn for the second time against a 23-year-old Richmond man who was Tased by Chesterfield police last year. James Edward Monk was initially charged following an incident at 12:30 a.m. March 28 near Virginia State University. The charges were originally withdrawn Aug. 22, refiled Oct. 10 and withdrawn again Dec. 17. Monk was pepper sprayed twice and Tased once after failing to comply with police officers’ orders during the incident, which lasted…

Former PTA treasurer sentenced to three months for embezzlement

By Caleb M Soptelean on January 29, 2019 Courts, Schools

Jessica Yeakey A former treasurer of the Parent Teacher Association at Elizabeth Scott Elementary School was recently sentenced to five years in prison with all but three months suspended for embezzlement. Jessica Yeakey, 42, of the 12000 block of Windsor Road, was sentenced Jan. 17 after pleading guilty. Judge David E. Johnson departed from the sentencing guidelines, which called for probation and no jail time. Yeakey was ordered to pay restitution of $2,840 plus $445 for the cost of her defense and complete a Recovery Connection addiction treatment program. She was also banned from the Elizabeth Scott PTA. The funds…

County not following court’s recommendation on cell phones: Two remedies already in place, officials say

By Caleb M Soptelean on December 24, 2018 Chesterfield Government, Courts

Storage lockers are located outside the courthouse. A recent recommendation from the Virginia Supreme Court that would allow electronic devices in courthouses will not be followed in Chesterfield, but a couple of proactive steps have already been made, county officials said. In a press release dated Dec. 14, state Supreme Court Chief Justice Donald W. Lemons said that he and his fellow justices adopted a “model policy” for use in courthouses across the state. The policy recommends that portable electronic devices – including cell phones, personal computers, tablets, e-book readers and smart watches – be allowed in courthouses, subject to…

Charges dropped in fatal motel shooting

By Caleb M Soptelean on December 11, 2018 Courts

Murder and other charges were dropped ast week against a man who had been implicated in the shooting death of a motel front desk clerk in late September 2016. On Dec. 5, Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Barbara Cooke withdrew charges of first-degree murder, robbery and two counts of using a firearm in commission of a felony against Jamal A. Washington, 21. He was arrested April 10 and held without bail after indictments were issued by a grand jury. Prosecutors could refile the charges since they were not dismissed by the judge. The charges followed the death of Jerry V. Colyer, 43,…

Miles names Darji chief deputy, fires Childrey, McKenna

By Caleb M Soptelean on November 20, 2018 Chesterfield Government, Courts

ABOVE: Upper left, Sangeeta Darji; Upper right: Tom McKenna; Bottom: John Childrey Chesterfield County’s new commonwealth’s attorney, Scott Miles, was sworn in to the position Tuesday, Nov. 13. Miles, a Democrat, upset Republican John Childrey for the seat created when longtime commonwealth’s attorney Billy Davenport retired July 1. Miles, who won by 2,731 votes, or 1.9 percentage points, named Sangeeta Darji his chief deputy. An alumna of Chesterfield County Public Schools, Darji graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a bachelor of science degree in 1997 and earned a law degree from the University of Pittsburgh. She previously worked for the…

Man gets five years for concealing woman’s body

By Caleb M Soptelean on November 6, 2018 Courts

A 44-year-old man was recently sentenced to 25 years in prison with 20 suspended for concealing a woman’s dead body and two counts of drug possession. John Stephen Nielsen was sentenced Oct. 26 by Chesterfield County Circuit Court Judge T.J. Hauler after Nielsen gave an Alford plea, which is an admission that the state had enough evidence to convict him. The felony convictions – five years for concealing a body and 10 years for each count of drug possession – were imposed on a master electrician who had a stellar recommendation from his most-recent employer, but also multiple convictions ranging…

Man gets 35 years for wife’s death

By Caleb M Soptelean on October 30, 2018 Courts

An Army veteran with no prior convictions but with a recent history of mental illness was sentenced Oct. 19 to 50 years in prison with 15 suspended for killing his wife last year. Deric Demetrius Colander, 54, was convicted of first-degree murder in the death of his estranged wife, Tina M. Colander, 54, at the Days Inn of Chester on May 25, 2017. Tina M. Colander was also an Army veteran. Chesterfield Circuit Court Judge F.G. Rockwell III sentenced Colander as part of a plea agreement. The sentencing range guidelines called for a sentence of 22 years and 11 months…

Man gets four years in juvenile detention for killing 18-year-old: Convict said shooting was accidental

By Caleb M Soptelean on October 23, 2018 Courts

ABOVE: Tyquon D. Whitehead was accidentally shot by Abdul Q. Crapps-Robinson. A 17-year-old North Chesterfield resident was recently sentenced to four years in a state juvenile detention facility after pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter and reckless use of a firearm. Abdul Q. “Qadi” Crapps-Robinson was originally charged with second-degree murder and reckless handling of a firearm. He was sentenced Oct. 12 as an adult in accord with a plea agreement for the shooting death of 18-year-old Tyquon D. Whitehead. The incident took place June 6, 2017 in the 3600 block of Old Creek Road, north of Belmont Road in the…

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