The Commonwealth’s evidence proved that on July 16, 2010, Norman Francis Karn IV went to the home of the female victim, who was known to him. Karn sexually assaulted the victim at knifepoint for over three hours while her children played in a room downstairs. Her neck was cut multiple times and her clothes were ripped. The victim reported the assault to the Virginia Beach Police Department and Karn was immediately apprehended.

Karn’s prior record includes convictions for Grand Larceny, Possession of Burglary Tools, Eluding Police, Possession of Cocaine, two (2) counts each of Forgery of a Public Record and Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, and three (3) Driving Under the Influence offenses.

Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Scott M. Lang and Senior Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Elizabeth M. Bradley prosecuted the case. Please call Macie Pridgen if additional information is desired.​

Harvey L. Bryant, Commonwealth’s Attorney for the City of Virginia Beach, announced that a grand jury meeting in Virginia Beach Circuit Court today returned indictments against 80 individuals charging 146 separate offenses.

Wilbert Antonio Banks Jr., 29, of the 700 block of W. 38^th Street in Norfolk, Virginia, was indicted for three (3) counts of Abduction, Robbery (Attempt), Armed Burglary, Wearing a Mask in Public, Use of a Firearm, Conspiracy, and Possession of a Firearm by a Non-Violent Felon.  Banks is charged in connection with a home invasion in the Indian Lakes neighborhood of Virginia Beach on September 22, 2011.  When police responded to the home, Banks allegedly escaped through a second story window.  An officer jumped out the window after Banks and was able to apprehend him. 

Had this matter gone to trial, the Commonwealth’s evidence would have proved that in the early evening of January 17, 2011, the Albano Cleaners on Laskin Road in the City of Virginia Beach was robbed at gunpoint by Matthew Turner. 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 morning of January 20, 2011, Olivia Weir entered the Papa Joe’s Smoke Shack on S. Lynnhaven Road in Virginia Beach and asked the clerk how much a blunt cost. She then went back to the car where Turner and Kyle Smith waited and told them who was inside. Minutes later, Smith robbed the store at gunpoint as Turner waited outside the building. The two men fled in the getaway car driven by Weir. Later that evening, 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 the Papa Joe’s Smoke Shack robbery 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.

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

Kyle Delano Smith pled guilty to Robbery, Use of a Firearm, Wearing a Mask in Public, and Conspiracy and is scheduled to be sentenced on November 22, 2011.

Matthew Allen Turner pled guilty to four (4) counts each of Robbery and Use of a Firearm, two (2) counts of Conspiracy, and one (1) count of Wearing a Mask in Public. He is scheduled to be sentenced January 11, 2012.

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

The Commonwealth’s evidence proved that on August 22, 2010, Wykeen Long stole a pick-up truck from outside a residence on Arvida Court while its owner was delivering a pizza. The next day, Long drove the stolen truck to the K-mart parking lot on First Colonial Road, looking for someone to rob. He approached a young woman loading purchases into her car and stole her purse, which she had already placed in the car. He used her credit cards that same day at a 7-Eleven in Norfolk. The following day, August 24, 2010, Long snatched a purse from the shoulder of another young woman in the Big Lots parking lot on Holland Road. He again fled in the stolen truck, which he later abandoned in a neighborhood. The truck was recovered and returned to the owner. On September 14, 2010, Long approached a third young woman in a parking lot on Huybert Place as she walked to her car. He grabbed her purse from her shoulder and shoved her to the ground. Long went back to the same 7-Eleven in Norfolk and attempted to use her stolen credit cards.

Surveillance video from the 7-Eleven and eyewitness accounts of the four victims led to Long’s capture, which followed a joint investigation between the Norfolk and Virginia Beach Police Departments.

Long is serving an additional six (6) year sentence imposed by the Norfolk Circuit Court for Robbery, Credit Card Theft, Credit Card Forgery, and Possession with the Intent to Distribute Narcotics. Long has an extensive history of using and trafficking in illegal drugs, with seven (7) previous felony convictions in New Jersey between 1994 and 2006 for Possession and Distribution of Heroin and Cocaine.

Associate Commonwealth’s Attorney Wendy R. Alexander prosecuted the case. Please call Macie Pridgen if additional information is desired.

Had this matter gone to trial, the Commonwealth’s evidence would have proven that on October 4, 2010, Henley was stealing copper coils from an AC unit when he was noticed by a Virginia Beach Police Officer. He fled, was later arrested, and granted bond in General District Court over the objection of the Commonwealth. While awaiting trial for that offense, Henley robbed a 7-11 on Aragona Blvd in Virginia Beach at knifepoint on January 25, 2011. Henley was identified as a suspect in that robbery after thorough investigation by the Virginia Beach Police Department and Crime Solvers tips.

“Local television broadcasts of Henley’s picture led to multiple tips about his identity and whereabouts,” Bryant said. “Such news coverage of crime in our region is a public service to be appreciated.”

On February 4, 2011, police spotted Henley in a BMW on Virginia Beach Blvd. As they attempted to stop the vehicle, Henley fled on foot into the Chesopeian Colony neighborhood. He ran into a home of a woman and her toddler, threatening them and demanding the woman’s car keys. She was eventually able to escape into her backyard and receive assistance from the police. During the arrest process, Henley kicked in the door of a police car and spat on two officers.

Henley’s prior record consists of convictions for Possession of Marijuana, Driving under the Influence, Use Profane/Threatening Language over the Phone, Assault, three (3) counts of Forgery, Trespassing, and multiple counts of Driving with a Revoked License. Henley is awaiting sentencing in Chesapeake for Robbery.

Associate Commonwealth’s Attorney Wendy R. Alexander 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 on April 18, 2010, David Lee Stephens entered the Walgreens at 3376 Virginia Beach Blvd in the City of Virginia Beach and approached the pharmacy technician. He handed her a note that stated, “I have a gun! I want your supply big bottles, Oxycotin, Methadone, morphine, Lortab Percasets.” Stephens raised his shirt and displayed a firearm, and the technician gave him several bottles of medication. He fled the store, leaving the note on the counter. His fingerprints were later recovered from the note, and Stephens was observed on video entering and exiting the store.

On June 24, 2010, Stephens entered the Walgreens at 3965 Holland Road in the City of Virginia Beach. He placed a note on the pharmacy counter stating that he had a gun and wanted large bottles of medication, specifically Hydrocodone, Oxycodone and Methadone. Stephens put a firearm on the counter facing the pharmacy technician, who complied with his demands. This incident was also captured on video.

Stephens was arrested on March 8, 2011, in Harrisonburg, Virginia. When interviewed by detectives with the Virginia Beach Police Department, he admitted to robbing the pharmacies. He said he was dealing with an addiction that began after a surgical procedure, which the Commonwealth was able to confirm.

Associate Commonwealth’s Attorney Katherine E. Orsini prosecuted this case. Please call Macie Pridgen if additional information is desired.

The Commonwealth’s evidence proved that around 3:00 p.m. on May 1, 2009, the two teen victims were walking home through an alley in the Campus East neighborhood after a trip to buy some drinks at Sonic’s drive-in. As they walked, they passed Malcolm Omarr Richards Jr., who was seated on the ground with a bicycle. Richards quickly came up behind the victims, pointed a gun, and commanded they follow him into a more secluded area in the alley. Richards robbed the victims of a cell phone and their money then sexually assaulted both girls at gunpoint. He then demanded the girls sit on the ground facing a fence and fled the alley on bicycle. The victims ran to a nearby relative’s home and the police were called immediately. Richards was linked to the crimes through DNA analysis.

Richards’ prior record includes convictions in Virginia Beach Circuit Court for charges of Armed Robbery, Use of a Firearm, and Wearing a Mask on Private Property, which he committed on May 11, 2009. He was sentenced to 14 years imprisonment with ten (10) years suspended, leaving four (4) years to serve. Richards committed all of the aforementioned offenses as a juvenile, but was certified as an adult to the Circuit Court in both cases due to the seriousness of the charges.

Senior Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Lyla M. Zeidan and Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Christopher M. Baker prosecuted the case. Please contact Macie Pridgen if additional information is desired.

Had this matter gone to trial, the Commonwealth’s evidence would have proved that on the morning of April 12, 2010, Preston Robert Walcker entered the Bank of Hampton Roads on Lynnhaven Parkway in Virginia Beach and approached the teller. He handed her a note stating, “This is a robbery” which included several demands. Wearing sunglasses and maintaining a serious expression on his face, he took $2,677.00 from the teller and stuffed it in a black leather bag. Walcker then fled the bank. On the afternoon of May 6, 2010, Walcker entered the Bank of Hampton Roads on Indian River Road in Virginia Beach and handed the teller a note similar to the one used in the previous bank robbery. The teller complied with his demand for money and handed him $449.00. Walcker stuffed it in a black bag and fled. A witness observed Walcker driving away in a silver 4-door sedan.

Investigators in several jurisdictions were able to identify Walcker as a suspect in multiple bank robberies and learned that he was renting a 2010 silver Dodge Avenger. Ultimately, investigators tracked Walcker’s whereabouts through his cell phone and on May 13, 2010 he was arrested while entering the silver sedan in front of his house. When interviewed by a detective with the Virginia Beach Police Department, Walcker admitted his role in both bank robberies in Virginia Beach as well as two other bank robberies in Chesapeake and Hanover County. A search of his home and rental car recovered a black leather bag, two pairs of sunglasses, two black hats, a cell phone, a demand note, and large amounts of cash.

Walcker received a ten (10) year penitentiary sentence for the bank robbery in Hanover County and a seven (7) year and six (6) month sentence for the bank robbery in Chesapeake. The sentence imposed by Judge O’Brien today will run concurrent with those sentences. Before pronouncing his sentence, Judge O’Brien remarked that Walcker “invoked a great deal of fear in a lot of people.” In running his sentence concurrent with that of the other jurisdictions, Judge O’Brien noted Walcker’s previous employment as a Sheriff’s Deputy in Washington State. Walcker also has a conviction for Attempting to Possess a Controlled Substance by Fraud in Washington in 2003.

The case was prosecuted by Associate Commonwealth’s Attorney Katherine E. Orsini and Senior Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Elliott H. DeJarnette. Please contact Macie Pridgen if additional information is desired.

Had this matter gone to trial, the Commonwealth’s evidence would have proved that on April 25, 2010, Ervie Smith and a co-conspirator robbed a 7-11 store on Diamond Springs Road in Virginia Beach. The men, both masked and one armed with a handgun, entered the store and stole money, cigarettes, stamps, and beer. On May 2, 2010, Smith and a second co-conspirator entered a 7-11 store on Euclid Road in Virginia Beach, wearing masks and armed with a knife and a tire iron. They stole cigarettes, cigars, and lottery tickets with winnings worth $100. When apprehended and questioned simultaneously by detectives with the Virginia Beach Police Department and Norfolk Police Department, Smith confessed to his involvement in both robberies as well as a robbery of a 7-11 store in Norfolk.

Smith’s prior record includes charges of Possession of Marijuana, Identity Theft, Distribution of a Schedule I/II Imitation Drug, and Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle in Norfolk. Judge Mahan ordered Smith’s sentence to run concurrent with the five (5) year and eight (8) month sentence he is currently serving for the aforementioned robbery of the 7-11 store in Norfolk.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Scott C. Vachris. Please contact Macie Pridgen if additional information is desired.

In seeking the death penalty for Carter, Bryant argued that Carter’s killing “so easily and unhesitatingly makes him a future danger to the rest of us, whether sitting in a car in a parking lot or sitting in a cell next to him.”

“Mike Phillips served the police department and the citizens of Virginia Beach without hesitation, without reservation, for the wellbeing and betterment of society at large,” Bryant said during his presentation to the court. “By stark and grotesque contrast, Ted Carter murdered without hesitation, without reservation, to satisfy his greed – the life of a stranger for $600.”

Before pronouncing his sentence, Judge Padrick told Carter that he hopes Carter will think about his actions on August 7, 2008 for the rest of his life. “You murdered him in cold blood. You broke the hearts of all these people,” Padrick remarked. When given his opportunity to make a formal statement, Carter said nothing. Three other members of Carter’s family who testified, including his mother, also failed to express any sympathy to the Phillips family.

Had this matter gone to trial, the Commonwealth’s evidence would have 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 known as “Pep”. 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, his badge and duty weapon, all of which were concealed. He also possessed $675.00 in cash to purchase the marijuana. Detective Phillips contacted “Pep” telling him to meet him near the 7-11 in the Green Run Shopping Center. “Pep” entered Detective Phillips’ undercover car 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 “Pep” talking with a second subject later identified as Ted Carter. “Pep” and Carter spoke for 5-10 minutes before Pep returned to Detective Phillips’ car. Carter was seen entering a Chevy Tahoe and driving towards the shopping center. “Pep” informed Detective Phillips that “his man” was bringing the marijuana. Moments later, Carter parked his vehicle to the left of Detective Phillips at which time Detective Phillips asked, “‘Pep,’ is this your man?” At the same time, Carter 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. “Pep” jumped out of Detective Phillips’ car and ran to the Tahoe. “Pep” attempted to drive away, but was stopped as one of the Special Investigative teams rammed the Tahoe. Carter was detained at the scene while grabbing money from the floor of Detective Phillips’ car. Even as he was being apprehended by detectives, Carter refused to drop the bloodied cash. Attempts to revive Detective Phillips by officers on the scene were unsuccessful and he died as a result of the gunshot wounds.

Carter admitted that he used a “.40 caliber” and he did not know how many times he shot the gun. The Hi-Point .40 handgun was recovered as well as the buy money.

There was no evidence that Carter knew Phillips was a police officer until he was so informed by arresting officers, and the Commonwealth stipulated that fact.

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