NORTHAMPTON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

"Operation No Refill" - Ongoing Investigation Nets Arrests

GREAT WORK TO ALL DEPARTMENTS!!   Our communities are another step closer to being safer! 

According to Sheriff David Doughty and Sheriff Todd Godwin the Eastern Shore Drug Task Force, which consists of the Accomack and Northampton County Sheriff's Offices and Virginia State Police working with the Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control, Drug Enforcement Administration and Worcester County Md. Sheriff's Office, obtained charges on 43 individuals for 65 felony drug charges, 5 misdemeanors and one subject has been charged federally with distribution and conspiracy to distribute five or more kilograms of cocaine and 280 grams of cocaine base (crack).

Over seventy-five law enforcement officers converged on the Eastern Shore on October 6, 2011 to serve the indictments and arrest warrants and execute two search warrants.


This is an ongoing investigation that began in late 2009 with the DEA to target primarily cocaine distributors on the Eastern Shore of Virginia.


This step of this investigation was named "No Refill" due to the overwhelming number of individuals that have been charged with prescription drugs during this phase of this investigation.


The following items have been seized in connection with this phase of this investigation:


Over $5,000.00 in cash
Nine firearms
Two pound of cocaine
Over 169 marijuana plants
1263 grams of marijuana
Five vehicles
Seven grams of heroin
Assortment of prescription drugs


Total street value of the seized drugs is over 1/2 million dollars.


Agencies assisting in this investigation were the Exmore Police Department, the Cape Charles Police Department, the Parksley Police Department, the Onley Police Department, the
Onancock Police Department, the Hallwood Police Department, the Virginia Marine Police
Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries-Law Enforcement Division, the Virginia Probation and Parole and the Virginia State Police Melfa barrack.


The following individuals have been arrested:


- Angelo S. Stratton, age 39, of Onley, Va,, Charged with Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with intent to Distribute Controlled Substances, namely Cocaine.


- Ambrose A. Cuffee, age 28, of Birdsnest, Va, Charged with Aid and Abet the sale of Alcoholic Beverages without being licensed to do so


- Shane Smith, age 26, of Exmore,Va, Charged with Possess with the intent to Distribute more than ounce but less than five pounds of Marijuana.


- Zelma Kelley, age 58, of Melfa, Va, Charged with Possess with the intent to Distribute a controlled substance namely Hydrocodone.


- George Needam, age 64, of Melfa, Va, Charged with Possess with the intent to Distribute a controlled substance namely Oxycodone.


- Erik J. Burton, age 27, of Cape Charles, Va, Charged with Charged with Possess with the intent to Distribute more than 1/2 ounce but less than five pounds of Marijuana.


- Sylvia F. Jackson, age 44, Exmore, Va, Charged with manufacture, sell, give, distribute, or possess with intent to manufacture, sell, give, or distribute a controlled substance classified in Schedule VI and possess with intent to sell, give, or distribute not more than 1/2 ounce of Marijuana.


- Markie Davis, age 33, of Bayview, Va., Charged with possess with the intent to distribute an imitation controlled substance.


- Devonte L. Spady, age 18, of Cheriton, Va., Charged with sell, give, distribute, or possess with the intent to sell, give, or distribute not more than 1/2 ounce of Marijuana.


- Barbara Kamara, age 72, of Exmore, Va., Charged with possess with the intent to distribute Vicodin, a schedule II drug.


- Michael A. Davis, age 42, of Capeville, Va., Charged with possess with the intent to distribute Cocaine, a schedule II drug, second offense.


- Lethon J. Williams, age 33, of Temperanceville, Va., Charged with sell, give, or distribute a controlled substance, namely Cocaine, a schedule II drug.


- Robert Dillard, age 27, of Eastville, Va., Charged with sell, give, or distribute a controlled substance, namely Cocaine, a schedule II drug.


- Deloris Mccaskill, age 55, of Townsend, Va., Charged with sell, give, or distribute a controlled substance, namely Cocaine, a schedule II drug.


- Tommie J. McCaskill, age 50, of Townsend, Va., Charged with sell, give, or distribute a controlled substance, namely Cocaine, a schedule II drug.


- Angelo B. Jones, age 43, Exmore, Va., Charged with sell, give, or distribute a controlled substance, namely Cocaine, a schedule II drug.


- Richard L. Williams, age 52, of Painter, Va., Charged with sell, give, or distribute a controlled substance, namely Morphine, a schedule II drug.


- Joel N. Miller, age 21, of Hallwood, Va., Charged with sell, give, or distribute a controlled substance, namely Cocaine, a schedule II drug.


- Preston Dorsey, age 34, of Temperanceville, Va., Charged with sell, give, or distribute a controlled substance, namely Cocaine, a schedule II drug.

Source:  shoredailynews.com

Sheriff Reggie T. Mason - Letter To The Editor

I am proud of all the law enforcement officers who recently assisted the Worcester County Sheriff's Office in making major drug arrests in Snow Hill and Pocomoke City. Their professionalism was outstanding and their departments can be proud. We will continue to pursue drug dealers, and we will return -- again and again.

This is not just a one-time sweep. All of Worcester County will be done.

On Thursday, Sheriff Mike Lewis of Wicomico County, Sheriff Todd Godwin of Accomack County, Sheriff David Doughty Jr. of Northampton and I met with Virginia State Police, DEA and other agencies in Northampton County to discuss working together to track down these drug dealers crossing state and county lines.

Helping each other and sharing our resources, we will find them.

Our job as sheriffs is to protect our counties' residents. Together, we will give 110 percent.

However, we do need residents' involvement by making a call when they see drug activity on our streets.

The Worcester County Sheriff's Office Criminal Enforcement Team consists of members of the Worcester County Sheriff's Office, Maryland State Police, Ocean City Police Department and Worcester County State's Attorney's Office. This team put many hours into this investigation and operating plan, and is to be commended for a job well done.

Special thanks to our Worcester County Commissioners, the Snow Hill Town Council and Mayor Bruce Morrison of Pocomoke City for being there with us to see what law enforcement encounters on these operations, and to the Accomack County Virginia Sheriff's Office for its participation.

Reggie T. Mason
Snow Hill

Source; http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20110807/OPINION03/108070333/Sheriff-applauds-those-who-made-drug-raids-LETTERS-EDITOR

GUILTY Verdict For Epps

EASTVILLE -- The man who chased and repeatedly stabbed Sharone White Bailey last year in a horrific daylight slaying has been found guilty.

Derrick Demond Epps, 37, of Exmore pleaded guilty Tuesday to first-degree murder and two other charges in last July's killing of White, a business owner and counselor who just weeks before had been named the Eastern Shore Citizen of the Year.

Epps, who declined a trial by jury in a last-minute decision, could face life in prison when sentenced later this year.

Epps was the victim's neighbor and attacked Bailey on the afternoon of July 9, 2010, after seeing her return home from work at lunchtime.

Northampton County Commonwealth's Attorney Bruce Jones said Epps, who had been a counseling client of the victim's, had developed the mistaken idea that Bailey's family owed his family money.

Epps' attorney, Garrett Dunham, said the defendant had been previously diagnosed by multiple doctors as a paranoid schizophrenic and the condition played a significant role in the day's events.


Dunham said on the day of the attack, Epps was suffering from a schizophrenic episode and when the "command voices" became stronger, Epps armed himself with a large kitchen knife and confronted Bailey to ask for the money.

"Mrs. Bailey saw the knife and screamed. The defendant grabbed her and stabbed her," Jones said.

Bailey fell, recovered and ran to a neighbor's house for help. Seriously wounded, she left a blood trail visible in photos presented as evidence, Jones said.

Bailey was stabbed again before entering the home of elderly neighbors, where she collapsed. The neighbors called 911.

Epps went back to his house, but returned to the neighbors' residence because "a voice told him she was not dead," according to Northampton County Sheriff's Office Investigator Terry Thomas in a previous testimony.

Jones said Epps kicked through the neighbor's front door during the call and drove the knife into Bailey's chest, driving it down eight and a half inches. Officials said such a massive injury would have caused death within seconds.

Epps then returned a second time to his home, where police arrived shortly after receiving the 911 call. He fled to the woods, where he disposed of the knife, which was never recovered.

Epps was apprehended and taken to the Northampton County Sheriff's Office to await an interview. While in custody there, he told Deputy William Smith he needed to use the restroom.

"He took advantage of that opportunity not to use the restroom, but to knock Deputy Smith out of the way and flee the scene," Jones said.

Epps was taken back into custody after being shot with a Taser.

In addition to first-degree murder, Epps pleaded guilty to charges of entering a dwelling with a deadly weapon with the intent to commit murder and assault and battery of a police officer.

Norfolk Circuit Court Judge John C. Morrison found Epps guilty of all charges, including first-degree murder.

"The evidence certainly justifies his pleas," Morrison said.

Source;  http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20110714/NEWS01/107140376/Guilty-verdict-slaying

R.I.P. Sharone White Bailey

Derrick Epps Pleads Guilty To 2010 Murder

WBOC

EXMORE, Va. - A man could face life in prison for the fatal stabbing of a community leader in Accomack County.

According to court documents, Derrick Epps, 37, pleaded guilty Tuesday to first degree murder of mental health worker Sharone Bailey, among other charges. A bench trial had been scheduled for the July 2010 crime.

Commonwealth attorney Bruce Jones says Epps had been evaluated by mental professionals to stand trial. Jones explains Epps had "developed an idea that the Baileys owed them cash," and confronted Bailey during her lunch break at her Exmore home.

A sentencing hearing has not yet been set on the Eastern Shore of Virginia.

Source;  http://www.wboc.com/story/15069045/accomack-co-man-pleads-guilty-to-2010-murder-of-beloved-woman

Five Indicted In Northampton Circuit Court

The following indictments occurred at Northampton County Circuit Court on Monday, July 11:

Amanda Danielle Budenos, 25 of Eastville, for three counts of uttering.


Jonathan Edwin Cox, 49 of Hampton, for four counts of forging a public document, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, trespassing, giving false indentification to a police officer, killing a deer during closed season and hunting without a license.

Austin Preston Leigh, 20 of Capeville, for possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession of a firearm while in possession of cocaine and possession of marijuana.

Akeem Rogers, 20 of Exmore, for 2 counts of possessi with the intent to distribute more than 1/2 but less than 5 pounds of marijuana, possession with intent to distribute of cocaine.

Christopher Daniel Tunnell, 23 of Nassawadox, for auto theft and driving on a suspended license.

Source;  shoredailynews.com,

Trial Set For Fatal Stabbing Of Sharone White Bailey

EASTVILLE -- The murder trial of an Exmore man charged with the fatal stabbing of the 2010 Eastern Shore Citizen of the Year Sharone White Bailey will begin with jury selection Tuesday.

Derrick Demond Epps, 36, is charged with first-degree murder.

Epps allegedly saw Bailey, his neighbor, return home from work at lunchtime on July 9, 2010. He then allegedly went to his kitchen to retrieve a knife and repeatedly stabbed her, according to testimony at a September hearing.

After Bailey ran to a neighbor's house for help, Epps allegedly broke through the door and continued stabbing her while the neighbor called 911. Epps allegedly said he broke into the house because "a voice told him she was not dead," according to Northampton County Sheriff's Office Investigator Terry Thomas.

Bailey was found fatally wounded by police responding to the call. Epps was apprehended shortly after officers arrived at the scene.

While in custody, Epps attempted to escape while using the restroom -- allegedly shoving Northampton Sheriff's Office Deputy William Smith into a wall and running out the door before he was shot with a Taser and taken back into custody.

In addition to facing a first-degree murder charge, Epps is charged with entering a dwelling with a deadly weapon with the intent to commit murder and assault and battery of a police officer. He is being held at the Eastern Shore Regional Jail until the trial.

General District Court Judge Gordon Vincent certified the murder charge against Epps to a grand jury during a September hearing.

Epps "made no bones about what he did," Thomas said. "He said it was not a robbery, that her people owed his people."

The slaying of Bailey, 57, who had been named the 2010 Eastern Shore Citizen of the Year at a gala event just before her death, shocked the community.

Bailey was co-owner and clinical director of Therapeutic Interventions, a Belle Haven-based community mental health provider. She was also secretary of the Eastern Shore Rural Health Board of Directors, helping to spearhead efforts to raise funds for the new Onley Community Health Center and served on the Northampton Joint Industrial Development Authority, as president of Habitat for Humanity and as a board member of the Eastern Shore Coalition against Domestic Violence.

Bailey was a U.S. Army veteran, a choir member and secretary of the Trustee Board at the Macedonia AME Church in Accomac and had worked for Accomack County Social Services and the Eastern Shore Community Services Board.

Source;  http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20110711/NEWS01/107110302/Eastern-Shore-Citizen-Year-murder-trial-set

Northampton Sheriff Offers Summer Security Tips

Written by

Sheriff David Doughty

On behalf of all of us at the Northampton County Sheriff's Office, I hope you and your family are excited to jump-start your summer plans in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Here are some safety tips to help keep your family safe during these busy summer months.

If you're traveling out of town, as so many of Northampton County families are planning to do this summer, keep your travel plans private -- don't "broadcast" when you are traveling away from home, when you are home alone or where your children are if they aren't with you.

Sadly, Facebook and other social media outlets are providing would-be criminals with a wealth of information and knowledge that they can use to commit crimes against people in our community.

Just as important, now that school is out, know who your children are with and the parents of their friends.

We all can do our part to reduce crimes of opportunity by keeping your garage doors closed and locked, back doors and windows locked, and cars locked. Remember to keep your valuables out of plain sight.

As always, it is my privilege to serve as your sheriff and I urge you to contact my office if you have any concerns about crime-prevention efforts in your community.

Make no mistake, my fellow law enforcement officers and I will continue to strive to do everything in our power to serve and protect the citizens of Northampton County.

And please, I hope you'll continue to be an important partner in our efforts to keep Northampton County secure by reporting crimes and suspicious activity when you see them so that we can do our very best to keep our county a safe place to work, play, live and raise our families.

I deeply appreciate your continued support.

The writer is sheriff of Northampton County. Reach him at 757-678-0458.

Source;  http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20110706/ESN02/107060367/Sheriff-offers-summer-security-tips?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Eastern Shore News|s

Northampton County - Director of Building Arrested and Charged With Abduction

According to Northampton County Sheriff David L. Doughty, Jr., on May 9, 2011, Mark Edward Cline Sr., 52, of Exmore was arrested in connection with a December 11, 2010 incident occurring in Northampton County.

Mark Cline, Sr. was charged with abduction, use of a firearm during the commission of a felony and brandishing.

Cline is listed as the Northampton County Building Department's Director of Building. A call to Northampton County Administrator Katherine H. Nunez was not returned on Wednesday afternoon.

He is currently being held in the Eastern Shore Regional Jail with no bond.

Source; http://www.shoredailynews.com/

Northampton County Circuit Court

Norhampton County Circuit was in session Monday, and the following indictments were handed down:

Scott Joseph Abraham: 35 counts of forgery and uttering and 3 counts of petty larcency

T'Andre S. Brickhouse: possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute its - 2nd offense

Lenord Tromwell Brooks: possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute it ... possession with the intent to distrbute more than 1/4 oz. but less than 5 pounds of marijuana ... possession with the intent to distrbute a controlled substance on school property ... driving on a suspended license ... tresspass.

Eban T. Hodge: also known as Jihad Terron Colvin and Jihad Terron Anderson ... Forging a Public Document

Estelle Quinntai Love: Grand Larcency
Terry M. Parker: possession of a firearm by a convicted felon

William Jerome Reid Jr.: possession with the intent to distribute - 2nd or subsequent offense ... possession of marijuana 2nd or subsequent offense

Antionio Lee Robinson: Breaking and Entering ... Attempted Rape

Trawn Lavon Stratton: Murder ... displaying a firearm in a threating manner while committing murder ... entering a dwelling house while armed with a firearm.

Amy Gladden Sturgis: 12 counts of passing bad checks

Arron McNeil Taylor: Possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute

Christopher Lee Tazewell: Third offense of assult and battery on a family member.
www.shoredailynews.com

By 3:00 PM 11 Inches of Snow Or More Have Fallen

BELLE HAVEN -- Unofficial totals show 11 inches of snow have fallen in the mid-Va. Shore area by 3 p.m. Sunday.

As much as 14 inches are expected.

The winter storm warning for Northampton and Accomack counties expires at 5 a.m. Monday.

www.delmarvanow.com

Blizzard conditions have just been announced. Please use good judgement and good sense and stay where you are. The police and emergency people are having a rough time out in this weather. Don't jeopardise your life or theirs!

Heavy Snowing To Continue

The heavy snow that started early Sunday morning continues to fall as it begins to pile up.

As of noon, almost 6 inches had fallen and we may see as much as 4 to6 inches more before it all ends overnight.

VDOT is working the main roads including Rt. 13, The Chincoteague Road and the roads leading into the main towns on the Eastern Shore.

The back roads however are unplowed and increasing winds this afternoon and evening as the low pressure moves past could result in serious drifting before morning.

Therefore Winter Storm Warnings remain in effect until 5 AM Monday. Church services were cancelled both Sunday and Sunday evening as motorists were advised to stay off the roads as much as possible.

The Dialysis Center in Nassawadox has closed for the day and they're advising their patients to call Monday morning at 7:30 for a treatment time. They're also asking individuals with big trucks willint to transport patients to and from the Dialysis center to call 442-4966.

Closings for Monday include Mosher Physical, both offices, Accomack Convenience Centers closed til noon, and Cardiac Rehab in Onley and Nassawadox, closed.

www.shoredailynews.com

Arrests Made In Counterfeit Bill Use- Northampton County

According to a press release from the Northampton County Sheriff's Office, counterfeit $100 bills made from $5 bills were used at the Kiptopeke Inn on Lankford Highway in Cape Charles.

On December 18, Sheriff's Deputies responded to a complaint of counterfeit currency being passed from the Inn. After attaining a description of the suspects and the vehicle, the Northampton County Sheriff's Department arrested three suspects in the Eastville area. Shan Beamon, 31 of Portsmouth, Jamal Beamon, 28 of Chesapeake and Ronald Garret, 25 of Portsmouth were arrested and charged with utter or attempt to employ true a false, forged or base coin, note or bill, knowing it to be false, forged or base and conspiring to utter or attempt to employ true a false, forged or base coin, note or ill, knowing it to be false, forged or base. The three suspects are currently being held in Eastern Shore Regional Jail.

According to sources who wished to have their identity withheld, members of the United States Treasury Department as well as the United States Secret Service were in Northampton County Monday afternoon investigating the case.

According to Sheriff J.P. Robbins, Jr., the case is still under investigation.
www.shoredailynews.com

Accomack And Northampton County Court

Accomack County Court

Ryan Bonniwell, 27, of Painter, was found guilty of burglary and grand larceny. A presentence report has been ordered.

Lavar Johnson, 30, of Mappsville, was found guilty of possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute. He was sentenced to 10 years with all but time served suspended.

Christopher Barcroft, 21, of Cape Charles, was sentenced to four years for two counts of burglary and two counts of grand larceny.

Keenan Goodwine, 19, of Atlantic, was found guilty of robbery and the use of a firearm in commission of a robbery. A presentence report was ordered.

Thomas Bunting, 27, of Melfa, was found guilty of aggravated sexual assault. A presentence report has been ordered.

Joann Ball, 57, of Accomac, was sentenced to 10 years with all but 12 months suspended for possession of cocaine.

Michael Sample Jr., 25, of Painter, was sentenced to 10 years each on two counts of breaking and entering and two counts of grand larceny, to run concurrently, with all suspended upon completion of detention and diversion center programs.

Jonathan Stevens, 27, of Quinby, was sentenced to five years for burglary with all suspended after completion of community service.

Jesse Mariner, 28, of Keller, was sentenced to 10 years each on counts of burglary and grand larceny, with all but three years suspended.

Derrick Reid, 22, of Nassawadox, was sentenced to five years each on counts of breaking and entering, robbery and a firearms charge, to run consecutively, for a sentence of 15 years.

Keshawn Savage, 21, of New Church, was sentenced to three years with all but one year suspended for hit and run.

Terrell Robinson, 33, of Birdsnest, had his probation reinstated.

Northampton County

Yolanda O'Sha Stines, 35, of Accomac, was sentenced to five years with all but 2.5 years suspended for writing bad checks.

Leonard Tromell Brooks, 27, of Cape Charles, was sentenced to 10 years with all but two years suspended for possession with the intent to distribute more than one-half ounce but less than five pounds of marijuana.

Cynthia Rene Weathers, 35, of Pocomoke City, Md., was sentenced to five years with all but time served suspended for four counts of welfare fraud and ordered to pay $5,005.

Terry Wayne McGee Jr., 34, of Newport News, was sentenced to five years for forgery, 12 months for receiving stolen property, 12 months for using a false identity and 12 months for driving on a suspended license, to run concurrently, with all but 12 months suspended.

William Jerome Reid Jr., 31, of Machipongo, was sentenced to five years with four years suspended for possession with the intent to distribute more than one half ounce but less than five pounds of marijuana. He also had a previous sentence imposed and received indefinite probation.

Brian Dwayne Johnson, 31, of Tasley, had his probation revoked.

Deshaun Lamont Corney, 21, of Birdsnest, pleaded guilty of two counts of robbery, one count of entering in the nighttime while armed with a deadly weapon, one count of malicious wounding, and one count of displaying a firearm in a threatening manner during a robbery. A presentence report has been ordered.
www.easternshorenews.com

Northampton Circuit Court

Northampton Circuit Court reported the following sentences over the last few weeks.

Terry Wayne McGee Jr. age 34 of Newport News was sentenced to 5 years for forgery, 12 months for using a false idenity, 5 years for receiving stolen property, and 12 months for driving on a suspended license.

William Jerome Reid, Jr. of Machipongo age 31 of Machipongo received 1 year of a previous sentence for possesion of more than one half ounce but less than 5 pounds of marijuana.

Reid also had probation revoked revoked on an original charge of distribution or cocaine. One year of the original sentence was reimposed .

Brian Dewayne Johnson, 31 of Tasley had probation revoked on an original charge of 2 counts of uttering and 2 counts of forgery. The original sentenced was reimposed and suspended except for time served.

Deshaun Lamont Corney of Birdsnest age 41 pled guilty 2 counts of robbery entering in the nighttime with a deadly weapon; malicious wounding; displaying a firearm in a threatening manner during a robbery. The sentence was continued pending a pre-sentence report.

Northampton County Court

Northampton County Commonwealth Attorney Bruce Jones reports the following cases were heard in Northampton Countys Circuit Court:

Brian Christopher Brittingham, 27 of Exmore, was sentenced to one year six months imprisonment for malicious wounding.

Leston Everton Wright, 23 of Exmore, was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment suspended for carnal knowledge of an inmate.

Wayne Henry Shrieves, 47 of Melfa, was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment suspended for carnal knowledge of an inmate.

Dawn Marie Williams, 34 of Cheriton, was sentenced to 5 years imprisonment and supervised probation for driving under the influence of drugs and aggravated involuntary manslaughter.

Steven Lamar Kilgore, 25 of Exmore, was sentenced to 26 years imprisonment for two counts of robbery, use of a firearm during commission of a robbery, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, breaking &entering while armed with a deadly weapon and possession of a sawed-off shotgun. Kilgore also had probation revoked on the original charge of grand larceny.

Gerald Lee Evans, 29 of Cheriton, pled guilty to grand larceny.
www.shoredailynews.com

Veterans Day Service In Cape Charles

CAPE CHARLES -- Veterans Day, the annual time for remembering the end of World War I and the brave Americans who served in the "war to end all wars" also draws from the news headlines of the day.

What is now called "Veterans Day" began as "Armistice Day." It is historically significant that this day continue to be observed on the month, day and hour that the guns fell silent in World War I.

While the day has strong historical roots, current events continue to add meaning to the day. Today, thousands of Americans are serving in uniform.

They sacrifice in the war on terror and in hundreds of locations around the globe so that we may remain free. They, too, are veterans.

To mark Veterans Day in Northampton County, American Legion Posts 56 and 400 will be conducting a Veterans Day Service on Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. at the Veteran's Memorial on Mason Avenue in Cape Charles.

All members of the community are invited to attend.

www.easternshorenews.com

Stolen Laptop Could Cause Problems For Residents Forever !!

ACCOMAC -- At least two Northampton County residents received letters from Accomack County notifying them their personal information may have been subject to unauthorized access as a result of the theft of a county-owned laptop in Las Vegas earlier this month.

The two men, who are related, do not own personal property in Accomack County and have never paid personal property taxes to Accomack County, one said.

Accomack County Administrator Steve Miner said he has spoken to one other Northampton resident who also received a letter, and he thinks there were others.

"I saw the article in the Eastern Shore News, and I was thinking, 'Oh, those poor people in Accomack County,' " said Craig Richardson, who lives near Seaview in lower Northampton County and whose mailing address is in Cape Charles.

Then he received one of about 35,000 letters sent by Accomack County informing him that his name and driver's license number were on the stolen laptop. He called Accomack County the same day to ask why.

"I couldn't get a straight answer from them as to why they have this," said Richardson, who moved to Northampton County about five years ago from Fairfax. His father, Robert C. Richardson, a Northampton County native, also received a letter.

Someone in the Accomack County Attorney's Office took his phone call and after checking with an information technology employee told Richardson the county got the information from the state Department of Motor Vehicles.

Richardson said when he moved to the Eastern Shore he went to the DMV office in Onancock, in Accomack County, to register his two vehicles, but his registrations correctly stated the vehicles are located in Northampton County and he has never received a tax bill from Accomack County. His neighbor, who has never used the Onancock DMV office, did not get a letter from Accomack.

"That's what made me think, anybody from Northampton County who has ever gone up to that office in Onancock, they've got your records," he said.

DMV spokeswoman Melanie Stokes said it should not matter to which office an owner goes to register his vehicle. She said she was unfamiliar with the issue of Accomack County having information about Northampton residents.

"We weren't asked to look at this ... DMV was just told what the data was; we did not look at it," she said about discussions held between the agency and Accomack County officials about the theft.

Miner said Monday in an e-mail that the county "is working with the state DMV to understand this list better."

Miner said the county has received a number of calls from people who received a letter "and had no apparent reason to be on our list, since they have not ever lived here and, hence, had no reason to be taxed by us."

But he said the county's priority was to notify those potentially affected by the theft, whether they were properly on the list or not.

www.delmarvanow.com

This does not surprise me in the least! Keep those toll free telephone numbers nearby. You're going to need them for a long, long time. I made a phone call to the Accomack office to ask some questions and was told in so many words that calling the fraud hotline would be something the citizens would need to do every 92 days. Why every 92 days??....... so we don't have to pay for the service!

Northampton County Court

Northampton County Commonwealth's Attorney Bruce Jones reports that on Monday, October 18, the following cases were heard in Northampton County's Circuit Court:

William Marcel Custis, 26 of Onancock, had probation revoked on the original charges of stealing a firearm. Custis will serve out an 18 month prison sentence that was suspended.

Christopher J. Barcroft, 21 of Nassawadox, had probation revoked on the original charges of stealing a firearm. Barcroft will serve the 5 year prison sentence that was suspended.

Milton Darnell Faison, who was arrested in connection with 3 robberies, was sentenced to 55 years imprisonment for robberies at Rene's Exxon, La Hacienda and B&B Market. He was convicted of breaking and entering while armed with a deadly weapon, robbery, use of a sawed off shotgun and use of a firearm during the commission of a robbery.

Davon Lamar Davis, 21 of Painter, was sentenced to 30 years imprisonment with all suspended but 4 years conditioned on entry into and successful completion of the Youthful Offender Program. Davis was convicted of 2 counts of robbery, use of a sawed-off shotgun and breaking and entering while armed with a deadly weapon.

Sherri Parks, 33 of Willis Wharf, was sentenced to 5 years imprisonment with all suspended but time served for breaking and entering, grand larceny and petit larceny.

Ashley Nicole Cummings, 20 of Painter, was sentenced to 3 years imprisonment suspended but time served and restitution for breaking and entering, grand larceny and petit larceny.
www.shoredailynews.com

"Protect Your Ground Water Day"

The Eastern Shore of Virginia Ground Water Committee, Accomack and Northampton Counties, the Towns of Cheriton, Hallwood, and Parksley, and the National Ground Water Association encourage residents to do their part in conserving and protecting our ground water supply on the Eastern Shore by participating in Protect Your Ground Water Day on Tuesday, September 14.

The Eastern Shore's water supply has been designated by the Environmental Protection Agency as a Sole Source Aquifer, meaning that our aquifers are only replenished by rainfall that is absorbed in a recharge zone that occurs along the central portion of the Shore. Our water supply is a very limited resource that is threatened by contamination from pollution and saltwater intrusion.

Eastern Shore residents can use September 14 to begin doing their part in protecting one of our most important resources ground water. Residents are encouraged to A.C.T. - Acknowledge, Consider, and Take action by acknowledging the causes of preventable contamination, considering which apply to your ground water use, and taking action to prevent contamination. For more information on the Eastern Shore's ground water supply and Protect Your Ground Water Day, contact Curt Smith with the Accomack-Northampton Planning District Commission at 787-2936.
www.shoredailynews.com