An Ararat man will serve 60 years in the penitentiary in connection with a 2017 incident, according to court records.
Patrick County Circuit Court Judge Martin Clark on Monday sentenced Maurice Chevelle Carter to a total of 70 years, with 10 years suspended on the condition of 10 years good behavior and 10 years probation.
The sentence was handed down in connection with an incident that started to unfold in the early hours of July 5, 2017, according to Patrick County Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Dayna Kendrick Bobbitt.
Then, the victim worked as a taxicab driver for Mayberry Taxi, and picked up a fare, described as a black male, from a location on Paynetown Road in Flat Rock, N.C., according to the statement of facts presented by Bobbitt.
The fare told the taxi driver that he wanted to be dropped off on Unity Church Road in Patrick County, Bobbitt said.
The taxi driver complied, but once on Unity Church Road was unable to find the exact driveway in the foggy, dark, and rainy conditions, Bobbitt said.
Carter indicated the driver should continue, Bobbitt said, and the taxi driver eventually found what she believed was the correct driveway, pulled in and parked.
As she started to log the trip mileage on a clipboard, Carter allegedly went over the seat with a knife, and holding it to the driver’s throat, said, “I’m gonna kill you. Give me what I want,” Bobbitt said.
The cab driver received a slight cut on her lip, according to information presented in court. Carter then took the keys out of the ignition and the driver’s cell phone and threw them out of the driver’s reach, Bobbitt said.
The driver told Carter to “take the money,” according to information presented in court.
A struggle ensued in which Carter allegedly overpowered the driver, continuing to say “Give me what I want. Don’t make me mad or I’ll kill you,” Bobbitt said.
The driver was forced out of the vehicle and into an area behind a home, Bobbitt said. The driver then was forced onto a porch with a set of concrete stairs, before she was forced down the concrete stairwell and partially undressed.
The driver then was dragged to a nearby shed and initially thrown onto a wooden table. She then was thrown towards a box spring and mattress set that was wrapped in plastic and resting against the home, according to Bobbitt.
The box springs then were thrown on the ground, the driver was forced onto it at knifepoint and told “You’re gonna give me what I want. Don’t make me mad,” before she was assaulted, records stated.
Following the incident, the driver was transported to Carilion Franklin Memorial Hospital in Rocky Mount.
In January, Carter pleaded guilty to one count of rape in connection with the incident.
On Monday, Clark also ordered him to register as a sex offender and receive sex offender treatment. Carter also was ordered to make restitution of $355.
