Sometimes the wheels of justice turn v-e-r-y slowly. But once they start rolling, they move forward. And that's the case with Jennings Hobert Cole II of Centreville.
In September 2005, Fairfax County police charged Cole, 37, of 14639 Stone Range Drive in the Sully Station community, with two drug offenses. And last Monday, Oct. 16, in Circuit Court, he pleaded guilty to both of them.
DETAILS OF the criminal case against him were explained in a Sept. 14, 2005 affidavit for warrant to search for possible drugs, paraphernalia, records and documents in his home. Centre View is not revealing the name of the detective who obtained the evidence against Cole because he was acting in an undercover capacity.
However, according to the affidavit, during April 2005, this detective found out that Cole "is a current distributor of cocaine ... in and around the Chantilly area."
The detective wrote that, in both August and September of 2005, he purchased cocaine from Cole. The affidavit states that Cole told the detective that he could obtain a particular amount of cocaine for him, and then the two met at Cole's home — where the deal was consummated.
Afterward, said police, "The suspected cocaine [bought by the detective with Fairfax County "buy funds"] was field-tested and tested positive for cocaine."
Police executed the search warrant at Cole's home on Sept. 14, 2005 and seized baggies containing cocaine residue, as well as drug paraphernalia, cash and various records and documents.
The next day, Sept. 15, they charged him with three counts of possession with intent to distribute cocaine. A court date was set for him, but was then continued several times — until summer 2006.
Finally, on Aug. 21 in General District Court, before Judge Mark Simmons, one of Cole's charges was dropped, and the other two were sent to the grand jury. Cole was indicted on Sept. 18 and pleaded guilty Oct. 16 in Circuit Court.
Before accepting his pleas, Judge Jane Roush made sure that he fully understood the charges against him and was satisfied with his attorney's representation. She also verified that Cole was entering his pleas of guilt freely and voluntarily and because he was, indeed, guilty of the crimes with which he's charged. She then set his sentencing for Nov. 16.