The Williamsburg-James City County Courthouse
A 33-year-old James City County man pleaded guilty Friday to a kidnapping charge that stemmed from a November incident when he would not let his ex-girlfriend leave his car in a trip that ended at an Isle of Wight County Bojangles, where she was able to call for help.
Dennie Lee Rankins entered a guilty plea to felony abduction Friday. He also pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault and battery for an incident in August. Both pleas were part of a plea deal he accepted. He was sentenced to 11 years in prison, with nine years and six months suspended.
Archana McLoughlin, an assistant commonwealth’s attorney for Williamsburg and James City County, said Rankins asked his ex-girlfriend to get in his car Nov. 15. Once inside, they began talking, with Rankins eventually becoming upset and snatching her car keys, McLoughlin said. He then put the car in gear and sped off.
The victim asked Rankins where they were going, to which he said “You’re scared now, aren’t you?” The two drove for more than hour, during which time she hid her cell phone before Rankins searched her for a phone, McLoughlin said.
Maj. Stephen Rubino of the James City County Police Department said the drive ended at a Bojangles’ Famous Chicken ‘n Biscuits in Carrollton. McLoughlin said the victim went into the bathroom, where she called 911. Deputies from the Isle of Wight County Sheriff’s Office responded and took Rankins into custody.
The assault and battery charge came from an incident Aug. 24 when both Rankins and his ex-girlfriend were intoxicated at her home. She was in the bathroom when Rankins called for her to come out. He then kicked at the door, at which point the victim opened it. He then punched her twice in the face with a closed fist, McLoughlin said.
As part of the plea deal, a charge for violating a protective order was dropped.
Rankins received 10 years for the abduction charge with nine years suspended, and one year for the assault and battery charge with six months suspended.
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