By Michael Copley
Staff Writer

A 69-year-old man convicted of sexually abusing his four-year-old grandson
The Department of Social Services first alerted police to the possible assault that happened from April to June 2009 and the defendant admitted to Sheriff’s Office Investigators that he fondled his grandson’s penis on multiple occasions. His name is being withheld to protect the victim’s identity.

The man pleaded guilty to aggravated sexual battery; it was a case of aggravated sexual battery because of the child’s age- four years old at the time of the offenses.

It was noted that the man has no prior criminal record and he was allowed to remain free on bond, but Judge Thomas Warren told him to be ready for a “full hearing on your background” at sentencing. 

Forgery conviction on seat-belt citation
Clarington Leroy Bolden said he gave police the phony name during a traffic stop to keep from being arrested on outstanding warrants.

He signed a seat-belt citation using a phony first name.

The court accepted Bolden’s guilty plea and the case was continued to February for sentencing.

Breaking and entering
A Powhatan K-9 unit found Derek Thurman Rachels inside a residence he broke into on the night of August 2. He told investigators that he broke in with the intent to commit larceny. Police were dispatched to the residence on a report of a possible robbery in progress.

Rachels pleaded guilty to breaking and entering during teh night with the intent to commit a felony. 

The court continued Rachels’ case for sentencing and allowed him to remain free on bond, but Judge Thomas Warren told Rachels to be on “perfect behavior.”

Breaking and entering
A 17-year-old pleaded guilty, under an agreement with the Commonwealth, to breaking and entering. The name is being withheld because the convicted person is a minor.

Under the plea agreement, the juvenile was not charged with grand larceny, but he was ordered to pay restitution for the electronics he allegedly took, including a laptop computer valued at $2,300.

One month for probation violation
Michael Neal Lucius, Jr. was convicted in Goochland County of assault and battery and vandalism while he was on probation in Powhatan County for drug possession.

Commonwealth’s Attorney Robert Beasley asked the court to sentence Lucius above the guidelines in the case, saying Lucius would have been jailed immediately if his office had heard of the charges in Goochland. He pointed to Lucius’ criminal record and said a “wake-up call” was over due.

Defense Attorney William R. Blandford asked the court for probation, a chance for is client to “prove himself,” but the court sided with the Commonwealth and sentenced Lucius to an active 30-day sentence with 11 months suspended for five years.