Two trials involving rape were recently
heard in Middlesex County Circuit Court.
Ricky Layne Jenkins Jr., 46, of Saluda pleaded not guilty to rape and animate object sexual penetration and was tried and convicted by a jury in Middlesex Circuit Court following a Dec. 9 and 10 trial. Retired Judge Charles J. Maxfield presided and granted a defense motion to strike the evidence regarding animate object sexual penetration charge. The jury deliberated and found Jenkins guilty of rape and the judge ordered a pre-sentence report.
Middlesex Commonwealth’s Attorney Michael Hurd reported that the offense occurred at the victim’s residence in Saluda on July 8, 2024. The victim testified that she was sick and sleeping on a couch when Jenkins knocked on the door and window of her residence around 2 a.m., saying that her vehicle door was open and that her purse was on the ground, and that he had her purse.
The victim testified that she knew Jenkins and opened the door for him, and she described being pushed into her living room and onto the couch. The victim testified as to the rape and that she repeatedly said no, told him go home to his girlfriend, and tried to keep her clothes from being taken off and tried to prevent the rape.
By 6 a.m. the victim had reported the rape to a friend, and then told her counselor, and then told a friend when the friend called and heard the victim crying. Both of the victim’s friends testified as to the victim being extremely upset.
A Middlesex deputy and an investigator arrived and took photographs and noticed signs of a struggle, said Hurd.
The defendant’s girlfriend at the time of the rape testified that in the morning she told the defendant about the police being at the victim’s house, and that the defendant immediately began calling the victim.
The victim did not answer the calls until she was in a vehicle with a Middlesex detective, who recorded the calls. The calls were played to the jury, whereby the defendant was asking why the police were at the house and if it had anything to do with him. He asked if he should come to her residence. The victim said no, that she did not want to talk to him, and hung up. The defendant immediately called back. The victim told the defendant that she had said “no” and he said he was sorry and “my bad.”
In another call the defendant admitted it was his fault and that the victim had said no over and over, and said he had (messed) up. The victim hung up and then the defendant called from outside the victim’s residence, contrary to her saying no when he asked to come there.
Testimony was heard from the sexual assault nurse and the forensic scientist who analyzed DNA. The victim and a friend testified as to the effect of the rape on the victim. Sentencing for the rape conviction is scheduled for Feb. 18, 2026. Jenkins is being held without bail.
Earlier trial
Jurors arrived at the Middlesex Circuit Court on Nov. 19, 2025 to hear the case against Wallace Oakley, 62, of Urbanna. Oakley was charged with a rape and forcible sodomy, which had allegedly occurred in April of 2024.
Oakley’s earlier rape trial May 19 and 20, 2025 had resulted in a “hung jury” whereby the jury could not reach a verdict.
When a new jury convened on Nov. 19, 2025 the trial did not commence because the alleged victim had been consuming alcohol that morning and a preliminary breath test revealed a breath alcohol level of .302. A person is presumed to be under the influence of alcohol at .08.
The court denied Commonwealth’s Attorney Michael Hurd’s motion for a continuance. Considering the uncertainty of what and how the victim would testify in that condition, the commonwealth and defense counsel entered a plea agreement, which was accepted by the presiding court Judge Joshua DeFord.
The charge of rape was amended to aggravated sexual battery and Oakley entered an Alford plea to the amended charge of aggravated sexual battery. In an Alford plea a defendant does not admit guilt but agrees that the commonwealth’s evidence if presented would be sufficient to convict, Hurd explained. By agreement Oakley was sentenced on the felony of aggravated sexual battery to 10 years, with 8 years and 6 months suspended for 20 years. Oakley was arrested in July 2024 and remained in jail awaiting his trials, was given credit for time served and was later released from custody.
Conditions of the suspended sentence include to be of good behavior, be on indefinite supervised probation for no more than five years, obey all requirements of probation, not possess alcohol or illegal drugs or prescription drugs not prescribed to him and not to possess marijuana unless he has a prescription or script.
Oakley is to have a substance abuse evaluation and follow all recommendations and submit to drug and alcohol testing and screenings. Oakley is to have a mental health evaluation and follow all recommendations. Oakley is to register as a sex offender and comply with all requirements such as prohibition for life from schools, daycare facilities, and municipal playgrounds. Oakley was ordered not to be around underage children who are not his without consent of a custodial parent, have no contact with the victim, and pay court costs.
The charge of forcible sodomy was nolle prossed (not prosecuted).
