District Court: weapons, alcohol, and drugs

Charges of altering or concealing weapons figured prominently in Rappahannock District Court April 5.

Christopher K. Foster, 54, of Huntly was arraigned on a misdemeanor charge of removing or altering the serial number on a firearm. According to the original complaint, on Nov. 24, 2015, Rappahannock County Sheriff’s Deputy Chris Ubben stopped Foster for reckless driving on Viewtown Road. While retrieving his license and registration, Foster opened his glove box. “A small pistol fell to the floor,” reads the complaint. “After securing the weapon, it was discovered to be loaded and the serial number had been filed off of the frame.” Foster’s case was continued to May 10.

County Attorney Peter Luke, filling in for Commonwealth’s Attorney Art Goff, told Judge J. Gregory Ashwell that Foster’s wife, Anna Foster, had requested that her husband be prohibited from entering her property. The Fosters are divorcing. Ashwell ordered Christopher Foster not to go on Anna Foster’s property without prior approval.

Richard Patrick Lysa- ght, 23, of Bentonville was arraigned on misdemeanor charges of obstruction of justice and carrying a concealed weapon. Deputy Ubben stated in his original complaint that on March 20, he was patrolling an area of Chester Gap “known to be frequented by subjects engaging in illicit activities” when he came upon a green Jeep pickup being driven by Lysaght. While speaking to Lysaght, Ubben detected the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle.

According to the complaint, while Ubben was checking with Rappahannock sheriff’s dispatch, Lysaght left his vehicle and entered the woods. Several times Ubben ordered Lysaght to stop, told him he was under arrest and ordered him to return to his vehicle. Ubben called in a K-9 unit to track Lysaght, but they were unable to catch him. While searching Lysaght’s vehicle, Ubben found “a large dirk type knife concealed between the driver’s seat and the center console,” according to the complaint. The case was continued to May 10.

ALCOHOL- AND DRUG-RELATED CASES

Brett Nelson Jenkins, 52, of Washington, appeared via teleconference from Rappah- annock Shenandoah Warren Regional Jail to be arraigned on a misdemeanor charge of violating the conditions of the state’s alcohol safety program, VASAP. The charge stems from a DWI charge to which he pleaded guilty on March 3, 2015. At that time, Ashwell sentenced him to 90 days in jail, all suspended. Jenkins’ driver’s license was suspended for 12 months, but he was allowed to apply for a restricted license for limited uses. He also was ordered to have an ignition interlock device installed on his vehicle, attend VASAP classes, and pay a $250 fine.

The case was continued to April 19, when the court will also consider re-imposing the sentence suspended in March 2015. The continuance date was chosen to coincide with the adjudication of additional charges that had also been continued. On Feb. 1, 2016, Jenkins was charged with a second DWI in five years, a second incidence of refusing a breath or blood test, and driving with a suspended license. He was arraigned on these charges on Feb. 2, 2016.

Troy Matthew Best, 29, of Gordonsville also appeared via teleconference from the regional jail to be arraigned on a misdemeanor charge of driving after his operator’s license was revoked on an alcohol charge. His case was continued to May 3.

Robin C. H. Kevis, 59, of Washington was arraigned on a misdemeanor charge of a first DWI. The case was continued to May 10.

David Louis Dinkins, 19, of Ashburn was arraigned on a charge of possession of marijuana. His case was continued to May 10.

Shellayne Laree Kochel, 28, of Front Royal was arraigned on a charge of possession of marijuana. Her case was continued to July 5.