Accomack Grand Jury returns indictments in child abuse, gun, theft and strangulation cases

By Linda Cicoira

Indictments for felony counts of child abuse and neglect, malicious wounding, strangulation, theft, possession of illegal dredging equipment, gun offenses, and eluding were brought by an Accomack Grand Jury on Monday.

Forty-two-year-old Lucrecia Perez-Soto, of Sherwood Street in Parksley, was indicted on counts of maliciously wounding her four-year-old son and abusing him by failing to act or refusing to provide necessary care for the child’s health, causing injury to his life or health on Nov. 10, 2025. Details disclosed at a bond hearing told of the child’s four broken ribs and collapsed lung. The boy is now about five and “is in a residential facility where he will probably spend his life,” his lawyer said.

In another child neglect case, 45-year-old Deitrick Rozelle Downing, of Collins Lane in New Church, was indicted on counts of being a non-violent felon in possession of a gun, and of being a parent or guardian who failed to care for a toddler in a manner so gross, wanton, and culpable as to show a total disregard for human life. The crimes were alleged to have occurred on Dec. 15, 2025.

In a child sex-crime case, 34-year-old Michael Allen Isdale, of Saxis Road in Temperanceville, was indicted on counts of aggravated sexual battery of a child younger than 13 years old, being a non-violent felon with a gun, brandishing a firearm, violating a protective order, and destruction of property. The crimes were alleged to have occurred in January and March.

Forty-two-year-old Shontel Devon Johnson, of Lankford Highway in Parksley, was indicted on counts of strangulation, possession of a weapon by a violent felon, brandishing a firearm, and assault and battery on Feb. 1.

Thirty-three-year-old Rikece Labrayan Campbell, of Tull Street in New Church, was indicted on counts of armed burglary, using a gun while committing burglary, strangulation, and carrying a concealed gun on Feb. 3, 2026.

Thirty-two-year-old Nadir Amir Topping, of Church Road in Tasley, was indicted on counts of strangulation, stealing a firearm, and assault and battery on Feb. 2.

Thirty-two-year-old Shane Austin Taylor, of Winterville Road in Bloxom, was indicted on counts of breaking into a building on Lipman Family Farm, stealing copper and aluminum that belonged to the business, and possessing stolen property with intent to sell on Feb. 27, 2025. Taylor was arrested on Jan. 20. A trial was scheduled for Aug. 6.

Fifty-nine-year-old Christopher Diforte, of Salty Way in Greenbackville, was indicted on a count of possessing oyster dredging equipment without a permit on Jan. 4. He was also charged with misdemeanor counts of dredging on private oyster planting grounds, taking clams on a Sunday night, and not having a clam aquaculture permit on the same day.

Thirty-three-year-old Ryan Rowley, of Seaside Road in Melfa, was indicted on Feb. 9 counts of intentionally possessing or transporting a firearm after being convicted of a violent felony and concealing a 9mm handgun.

Twenty-five-year-old Kaleb William Lee Clem, of the Norfolk Naval Station in Norfolk, was indicted on a count of eluding police at speeds exceeding 20 mph over the posted limit on Feb. 17.

Thirty-three-year-old Luvernea Hodge, of W. Post Office Road in Princess Anne, Maryland, was indicted on a count of shoplifting or altering merchandise valued at more than $1,000 from Walmart in Onley on Jan. 15.

Delanio Maurice Vick, of Norfolk, was indicted on a count of stealing more than $1,000 worth of property belonging to Chapman Electric in Exmore, and wearing a mask to conceal his identity on Dec. 30.

Twenty-year-old Tyler Malik Bynum, of Accomac, was indicted on counts of burglary at three Tasley businesses on July 1, 2024. Bynum was also charged with three felony counts of voter fraud, attempting to kill or injure a police animal, and obstruction of justice, following an April false report of an active shooter that led to a large police response and manhunt.