Belle Haven man granted release after juvenile detention success; Northampton Court issues sentences

By Linda Cicoira

A 20-year-old Belle Haven man, who authorities said has thrived while in juvenile detention after being convicted in 2022 of malicious shooting by a mob and underage possession of a firearm, was granted release Monday in Northampton Circuit Court.

Dashawn Lamont Holloway was a 17-year-old passenger in a car full of young men and teenage boys when another juvenile fired at a cousin’s windshield, striking the cousin’s pregnant girlfriend in the arm. The victim was holding a toddler, who was not injured. The incident occurred at a Trehernville trailer park in February of 2022.

Defense lawyer Sharri Mapp-Jones said she was proud of Holloway and his stellar accomplishments while incarcerated. “Kudos at every turn,” she said.

Mapp-Jones also told of Holloway’s being hired by a shipyard, wanting to complete an HVAC program he started while in the juvenile facility, of his leadership for others in trouble, and about how he walked away from trouble in the rough detention center.

He would soon live in a halfway house for a few months before getting help to become independent and stay in Hampton Roads. He chose the area instead of returning to the Shore, where he wouldn’t have the same opportunities and could fall back into hanging out with the same crowd.

Holloway never fired a gun during the incident. After the shooting, the victims drove away for help. The suspects pursued them for miles to Exmore. A high-speed chase involving police followed, with guns being thrown out of car windows, a crash, and three people fleeing on foot. Authorities linked the shooter to the Snakes and Guerillas street gang. He denied being a member.

Mapp-Jones said her client was asleep and woke up to the crime in progress.

“The commonwealth cannot agree that he should be released because this was a very serious incident,” said Prosecutor Jack Thornton. He added that he was “heartened” by Holloway’s progress and commended him.

Judge Lynwood W. Lewis Jr. ordered three years of supervised probation and five years of good behavior.

In another case, 39-year-old Donnell Lovette Johnson, of Jefferson Avenue in Exmore, pleaded guilty to abduction by force and assault and battery of a family member in an August 2024 incident. Several misdemeanors were not prosecuted as part of a plea bargain.

After assaulting the woman, the defendant used his legs to pin her arms down. The victim managed to get away and run out of the house, said Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Vincent deLalla. The defendant followed and dragged her back inside, causing extensive road rash injuries. The prosecutor said Johnson also destroyed her phone.

The judge accepted the plea agreement, which included capping the sentence at two years of active time. A short-form presentence report was ordered. Sentencing was set for May 5. The restitution totaled $800.

Thirty-four-year-old Cedric Sample, of Nassawadox, was sentenced to 10 years in prison with all but eight months of the term suspended for possession with intent to distribute cocaine. The crime occurred on July 26, 2023. Sample was permitted to begin serving the sentence on March 14. After serving his term, he will be on three years of supervised probation and 10 years of good behavior. He gave up his 4th Amendment rights regarding search and seizure for five years.

Fifty-five-year-old Mary Shell Pepper, of Bayside Road in Exmore, was sentenced to 10 years in prison with all but eight months suspended for possession with intent to distribute cocaine on Jan. 24, 2024. She was also given until March 14 to report to jail and gave up her 4th Amendment rights for five years.

Forty-nine-year-old Terrance C. Washington, of Virginia Street in Exmore, was given 10 years with all but seven months suspended for possession with intent to distribute cocaine last year. He also gave up his 4th Amendment rights for five years as part of a plea bargain. He will serve his time on weekends.