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.)