Had these matters gone to trial, the Commonwealth’s evidence would have proved that between January 1, 2009, and October 31, 2009, Watkins and Boyd together embezzled close to $50,000 from Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) while employed there as “vault pullers”. Buses and trolleys in Virginia Beach used the station at 1400 Parks Avenue in Virginia Beach as a collection site for bus and trolley fares. As part of their duties as vault pullers, Boyd and Watkins regularly visited the Parks Avenue trolley station to collect money from a vault and deliver it to a money room in Norfolk, Virginia, for counting. When money was pulled from the vault, it was housed in a sealed container; however, the container at the trolley station was not sealed. This allowed access to the money, which was mainly in one dollar bills.

HRT discovered numerous discrepancies in the electronic data downloaded from the buses at the trolley station and the actual amount of money counted at the Norfolk location. The discrepancies occurred when Boyd and Watkins were working shifts as vault pullers and no security guard was with them. On August 29, 2009, HRT security personnel observed Boyd and a co-worker drive the HRT money van from the trolley station to a home before arriving at the money room in Norfolk. After further investigation, Boyd and Watkins were suspended from HRT. No discrepancies in collection amounts were found after their suspension. Between January and October 2009, both women made frequent cash deposits of one dollar bills into their bank accounts.

The investigation revealed that Boyd took $24,414.00 and Watkins took $23,969.00. Boyd’s 2009 tax return shows a total income of $16,850.00, and a review of her bank statements from 2009 indicates she deposited $46,007.00. Watkins’ 2009 tax return shows a total income of $18,827.00, and a review of her bank statements indicated she deposited $45,962.00.

“A special grand jury was impaneled to hear evidence in this case and returned indictments for embezzlement against these two former employees” Bryant said. “They could not and did not consider activity by Boyd and Watkins or other HRT employees that may or may not have occurred in the HRT offices or other locations outside of their Virginia Beach jurisdiction.”

Commonwealth’s Attorney Harvey L. Bryant and Chief Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Colin D. Stolle prosecuted the cases. Please call Macie Pridgen if additional information is desired.​

The Commonwealth’s evidence proved that on August 7, 2008, Virginia Beach Special Investigations Detectives were conducting a “buy/bust” operation in the Green Run Shopping Center in Virginia Beach. The detectives had arranged through a confidential informant to purchase one-half pound of marijuana from an individual by the nickname of “Pep”. “Pep” was later identified as Marshall Demetrius Moyd. The Virginia Beach Special Investigations Team consisted of three teams of multiple officers, each assigned different responsibilities. Detective Michael Phillips was undercover and wore a body wire and duty weapon, which were concealed. He also possessed $675.00 in cash to purchase the marijuana. Detective Phillips contacted Moyd and they agreed to meet near the 7-Eleven in the Green Run Shopping Center. Moyd entered Detective Phillips’ undercover truck wearing a backpack and stated that he did not have the marijuana on him but that he would return with it.

One of the Special Investigative teams spotted Moyd talking with a second man, later identified as Ted Carter. Moyd and Carter spoke for about ten (10) minutes before Moyd returned to Detective Phillips’ truck. Carter was seen entering a Chevy Tahoe and driving towards the shopping center. Meanwhile, Moyd informed Detective Phillips that “his man” was bringing the marijuana. Moments later, Carter parked the Tahoe to the left of Detective Phillips at which time Detective Phillips asked Moyd, “Is this your man?” Carter then exited the Tahoe, approached Detective Phillips, and opened fire on him using a .40 caliber handgun. Carter shot Detective Phillips at least three times without provocation and without warning. Moyd jumped out of Detective Phillips’ car and ran to the Tahoe. He attempted to drive away but was stopped after two of the Special Investigative teams rammed the Tahoe. Moyd fled into nearby woods where he was soon arrested. A sawed off shotgun he admitted having was found nearby. Carter was detained at the scene while grabbing money from the floor of Detective Phillips’ truck. Attempts to revive Detective Phillips by officers on the scene were unsuccessful and he died as a result of the gunshot wounds.

The Chevy Tahoe was later discovered to belong to a relative of Moyd. The backpack worn by Moyd in his initial encounter with Detective Phillips was recovered from the Tahoe, a ski mask and latex glove inside. Carter, Moyd, both of their residences, and the Tahoe were searched by Virginia Beach police and K-9 units with the Norfolk Police Department. No marijuana was ever recovered. When interviewed by detectives with the Virginia Beach Police Department, Moyd denied plotting anything other than a drug deal. “Carter and Moyd came to a drug deal with nothing but guns,” Bryant said.

There was no evidence that Carter and Moyd knew Phillips was a police officer until they were informed by arresting officers.

Ted Vincent Carter pled guilty to Capital Murder, Robbery, and two (2) counts of Use of a Firearm and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Marshall Moyd’s prior record consists of convictions for Brandishing a Firearm, Alter/Remove Serial Number from a Firearm, and Possession of Marijuana.

Commonwealth’s Attorney Harvey Bryant, Chief Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Colin D. Stolle, and Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Phillip Hollowell prosecuted the case. Please call Macie Pridgen if additional information is desired.​

Had this matter gone to trial, the Commonwealth’s evidence would have proved that in January 2011, Matthew Turner committed a spree of armed robberies of citizens and businesses in the City of Virginia Beach. In the early morning hours of January 5, 2011, Turner approached a man in the Waterfront Apartments and robbed him of his cell phone and 15 cents at gunpoint. Around 4:30 p.m. on January 14, 2011, Turner approached two juveniles near the Salem Woods Park, pointed a revolver at them, and made off with a cell phone. An hour later, he robbed the Albano Cleaner’s on Holland Road.

Matthew Turner continued his robbery spree with accomplices Kyle Delano Smith, Mytisha Delynn Warmack, and Olivia Danielle Mercedes Weir. In the early evening hours of January 17, 2011, Turner robbed the Albano Cleaners on Laskin Road. Prior to the robbery, Mytisha Warmack had entered the store to determine who was inside. Olivia Weir waited outside the store and drove the getaway car. On the evening of January 20, 2011, Turner robbed the Albano Cleaners on Pleasure House Road in Virginia Beach at gunpoint. Weir, who previously worked at this store, again drove the getaway car.

On January 21, 2011, video from one of the robberies was released to the media and a tip was received identifying Olivia Weir. Investigation by the Virginia Beach Police Department led to a search at a local hotel room where the four co-conspirators were staying. Clothing worn in the robberies, the handgun, money, and property belong to the victims was recovered from the hotel room. Upon their arrests, all four defendants admitted to involvement in some of the robberies.

Olivia Danielle Mercedes Weir pled guilty to three (3) counts each of Robbery, Use of a Firearm, and Conspiracy. On November 1, 2011, Judge Frederick B. Lowe sentenced Weir to 43 years in prison with 27 years suspended, leaving her 16 years to serve.

Kyle Delano Smith pled guilty to Robbery, Use of a Firearm, Wearing a Mask in Public, and Conspiracy. On November 22, 2011, Judge Les L. Lilley sentenced him to 17 years in prison with seven (7) years suspended, leaving ten (10) years to serve.

Mytisha Delynn Warmack pled guilty to Robbery, Use of a Firearm, and Conspiracy. On November 1, 2011, Judge Lowe sentenced her to 23 years in prison, then suspended all but four (4) years of that sentence.

Turner has two previous convictions for Credit Card Fraud.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Vivian F. Henderson. Please contact Macie Pridgen if additional information is desired.

According to CICF, the Program of the Year award signifies “outstanding service and advocacy on behalf of victims and for providing assistance to help ease the economic burden caused by violent crime.” Presented annually since 2004, over 100 Victim-Witness programs throughout the state were candidates for the award. A group of 18 CICF staff select the recipient based upon the amount of CICF claims submitted by the program in comparison to their population and crime rate, the program’s mechanism for and amount of restitution collection, how well the victim-witness advocates relate to their victims, and how responsive the program is to CICF requests for assistance in advancing a claim.

Virginia Beach’s Victim-Witness program facilitated the collection of over $230,080 for 232 victims of crimes such as homicide, robbery, sexual abuse, and assault. Reimbursed expenses included medical bills, funeral costs, lost wages, personal property, moving expenses, temporary housing, and transportation costs.

“Virginia Beach has undergone quite a few changes in recent years, and the improved services to victims are evident all of the way to Richmond,” said Ware. “You all have a lot to be proud of.”

“Our Victim-Witness team does a tremendous job in all respects,” Bryant said. “I’m happy for them that they received recognition in this aspect of their multifaceted efforts for victims.”

The Criminal Injures Compensation Fund was established in Virginia in 1977 to pay unreimbursed expenses of victims who suffer physical or emotional injury or death as a result of a crime. To date, CICF has processed over 25,000 claims from those who have been victims of violent crimes in Virginia. Annually, CICF receives approximately 2,000 claims and awards about three million dollars. CICF is funded by court fees, assessments on offenders, restitution, and a federal Victim of Crime Act Grant.

Please contact Macie Pridgen if additional information is desired.

The Commonwealth’s evidence proved that shortly after midnight on December 5, 2010, Tramonte Enrico Hines committed an armed home invasion robbery at an apartment in the Harbor Club complex off Birdneck Road in the City of Virginia Beach. Hines entered the apartment through a bedroom sliding glass door and immediately pointed a gun at a woman inside. He sexually assaulted her at gunpoint and began demanding her property. Hines eventually forced all four residents into a bedroom and threatened to shoot their puppy if she did not stop barking. He ordered the victims to give him a laundry bag, and placed their laptops, money, cell phones, prescription drugs, and video gaming systems inside. Before fleeing the residence, Hines told them he had someone watching outside who would kill them if they called the police.

Although Hines had a bandana covering the bottom portion of his face, three of the victims positively identified him. They recalled that Hines had slits cut into his eyebrows. The Commonwealth presented a photograph of his eyebrows with the words “young boy” cut into them by his barber just days before the robbery. Additional witnesses testified that Hines admitted to committing the home invasion, and one witness recalled seeing Hines with handguns and the laundry bag full of stolen property.

Prior to the start of the jury trial, Hines pled guilty before Judge Mahan to charges of Obstructing Justice and Bribery of a Witness. While in jail awaiting trial, Hines made phone calls threatening one of the Commonwealth’s witnesses and offered to pay her if she lied at trial. Judge Mahan will also sentence Hines for those charges on April 3, 2012.

Associate Commonwealth’s Attorney Paul J. Powers prosecuted the case. Please contact Macie Pridgen if additional information is desired.

The Commonwealth’s evidence proved that on September 26, 2010, Gerard Hayward went to the Food Lion parking lot on Wesleyan Drive in the City of Virginia Beach to purchase marijuana from the victim. Hayward arrived in a black Dodge Charger. Upon seeing the victim, Hayward exited the Charger and entered the vehicle where the victim was waiting with a friend. Hayward displayed a handgun and demanded all of the victim’s marijuana. When the victim refused, Hayward shot him, exited the vehicle, and fired two more times into the vehicle. Hayward then fled in the Charger and the victim was taken to the hospital.

A cell phone with Hayward’s fingerprint was recovered from the scene. Text messages and phone calls between Hayward and the victim proved that they had planned to meet. Further, records from a rental car company indicated that Hayward’s girlfriend had rented a black Dodge Charger just days before the shooting. That Charger was observed at Hayward’s home after the shooting. When interviewed by detectives with the Virginia Beach Police Department, Hayward admitted meeting the victim at Food Lion but denied knowledge of the shooting.

While in the care of doctors, the victim’s heart stopped at least twice: once while on the way to Norfolk General Hospital and again on the operating table. Although he survived the shooting, he had his spleen and gallbladder removed and has extensive scarring.

The case was prosecuted by Associate Commonwealth’s Attorney Wendy R. Alexander and Senior Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Christopher M. Baker. Please contact Macie Pridgen if additional information is desired.​

Wednesday, January 04, 2012 · 05:00 pm

The National District Attorneys Association is the oldest and largest professional organization in the world representing prosecutors. It serves as a nationwide, interdisciplinary resource center for training, research, technical assistance, and publications reflecting the highest standards and cutting-edge practices of the prosecutorial profession.

“I’m honored to represent our state on the board of directors of the organization which is the national voice of prosecutors,” Bryant said. “I can only hope to match the dedication and wisdom that Linda Curtis brought to this position.”

Bryant has served as the president of the Virginia Association of Commonwealth’s Attorneys and continues to serve as the 2nd Congressional District Representative on its Board of Directors.

Please call Macie Pridgen if additional information is desired.

Many of those indicted have histories of prior criminal convictions. Seven (7) individuals were indicted for Petit Larceny – 3rd or Subsequent Offense, which is a felony offense carrying up to five (5) years in prison under Virginia law.

Five (5) defendants were indicted for possessing a firearm after being convicted of a felony. “Most of these cases involve felons who were using weapons to commit other crimes,” Bryant said. “This proves that many felons continue to obtain and use guns. Further, they continue to commit crimes. These criminals either weren’t sent to prison when they should have been, or they are already out. Perhaps consideration should be given to keeping them there longer.”  Those five (5) individuals are:

Please call Macie Pridgen if additional information is desired.

The Commonwealth’s evidence proved that on August 11, 2010, Keith Samuel Rivera and the 17-year-old victim were together at Rivera’s home in the Ocean Lakes area of the City of Virginia Beach. They were in the kitchen with two handguns, belonging to Rivera. Rivera was using his cell phone while handling a .38 caliber handgun, and he accidentally fired it once, striking the victim in the chest. As he called 911, Rivera ran outside and hid that gun as well as a .45 caliber in a neighbor’s bush. The victim died before rescue units arrived. A neighbor’s surveillance camera captured Rivera, while on his phone, running to hide the guns. Both guns were discovered the next morning by another neighbor. Investigation revealed that the bullet that struck the victim was fired from the .38 caliber.

Rivera told the 911 operator and responding officers that the shooting was a drive-by and the assailants fled in a white car. He maintained this lie during his interview with homicide detectives. About a week later, Rivera was confronted with the still images taken from his neighbor’s surveillance camera. He continued to maintain the lie about the drive-by shooting. Eventually, Rivera admitted that he had accidentally shot the victim while playing with the gun. The .45 caliber was later discovered to be a stolen firearm, and Rivera admitted to investigators that he knew it was stolen.

Rivera’s prior record includes adjudications as a juvenile for charges of Possession of a Firearm by a Minor, Carrying a Concealed Weapon, and Petit Larceny.

Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Scott M. Lang and Senior Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Kari A. Kopnicky prosecuted the case. Please contact Macie Pridgen if additional information is desired.