Release Date: Wednesday, August 12, 2009 4:50 p.m.
Harvey L. Bryant, Commonwealth’s Attorney for the City of Virginia Beach, announced today that Steven Scott Mitchell, 45 years old, who had been residing in a hotel on Northampton Boulevard, was convicted on one (1) count of Abduction with the Intent to Defile and one (1) count of Sexual Battery – Third or Subsequent Offense after a jury trial. The jury recommended that the defendant serve a total of thirty-seven (37) years in the Virginia Department of Corrections and pay a $100,000.00 fine. The Honorable A. Joseph Canada, Jr. imposed that sentence at the conclusion of today’s hearing.
The Commonwealth’s evidence proved that at 12:30 PM on November 5, 2007, the victim entered a garage at Town Center and was followed into a stairwell by the defendant. Before she reached the top of the stairs, Mitchell grabbed her, covered her mouth with his hand, and used the other hand to reach up under her skirt. The defendant held the victim against her will for at least one minute while he continued to fondle her. Mitchell attempted to move her panties and hose while touching her vaginal area, but the victim fought free and ran away. She turned and got a good look at Mitchell as she fled and was later able to identify him from a wanted poster.
During the trial, Mitchell testified and admitted to following the victim from the street and that he had no other reason for being in the garage or the stairwell, except to molest the victim. Mitchell also admitted that the victim would have no reason to lie or to make up a story about the molestation.
Mitchell has eight (8) prior convictions for Sexual Battery (misdemeanor) and three (3) prior convictions for Sexual Battery (felony) together with one (1) conviction for Attempted Sexual Battery. In addition to those convictions, Mitchell has also been convicted on one (1) count of Malicious Wounding, three (3) counts of Burglary and one (1) count of Attempted Burglary.
Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Philip C. Hollowell prosecuted the case. Please call Julie Pickell if additional information is desired.
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