Man gets time for wounding and assaulting officers

By Linda Cicoira

A 22-year-old Northampton resident, who maliciously wounded one deputy and assaulted another while believed to be high on PCP at a gathering in Mappsville at around 3:30 a.m., one day last August, was sentenced Thursday in Accomack Circuit Court to 18 active months.

Bryan Velasquez, of Lankford Highway in Birdsnest, used a Spanish interpreter during the hearing.  “I want to ask for the officer’s forgiveness,” Velasquez said. “I recognize they were trying to help me, not arrest me. I am very sorry for the damage I caused. I’m not a violent person. I don’t know what happened that night … It wasn’t my intention to hurt any of you … asking God’s forgiveness and to heal the wounds of the officers.”

Judge Linwood W. Lewis Jr. said the deputy has scarring and no feeling in parts of her hand as a result of the wounding. He sentenced the defendant to five years in prison, with all but a year suspended for malicious wounding and 12 months with six suspended for assault and battery.

Authorities said Velasquez is likely to face deportation. If he is released after serving his term, he will be on two years of supervised probation and five years of good behavior. He has been in jail about eight months.

The officers responded to a Lankford Highway home in Mappsville regarding a complaint that Velasquez had attempted to bite several people. Court records stated the defendant appeared to be upset, agitated, and under the influence of drugs. Velasquez then tried to bite Deputy S. Henning. He bit Deputy A. Clark, causing her to bleed and tearing a muscle in her hand. It was later determined that the defendant was under the influence of PCP, a hallucinogen also known as angel dust that can cause psychotic behavior.

Letters and testimony were given in support of the defendant from family members and friends.

    Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney William Fox said Velasquez told the head of probation that he typically drinks a dozen or more beers a night. Fox said it “absolutely did not seem like there was only alcohol involved.” The judge agreed. The prosecutor said the defendant also told authorities that he had a DUI not long before this incident.