Man asks for jury trial, denies 14 charges

By Linda Cicoira

In an arraignment held Thursday in Accomack Circuit Court, a Painter man denied eluding, destruction of property, and drug and firearm offenses, and asked for a jury trial.

Thirty-six-year-old Antonio Lapako Brown had been scheduled for a bench trial before Judge Lynwood Lewis for a total of 14 charges when the jury request was made.

If convicted, Brown could face a mandatory 16-year term in prison.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to distribution of between an ounce and five pounds of marijuana, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of a firearm while in possession of cocaine, being a violent felon in possession of a weapon, assault and battery of a sheriff’s investigator, two counts of felony destruction of property belonging to the sheriff’s office, and eluding police by going more than 20 mph over the posted speed limit.

Records state that Brown was on probation for robbery when the incidents are alleged to have occurred on June 1, 2025. The file also reported that he drove more than 100 mph for almost 30 minutes, struck two sheriff’s office vehicles, and had to be tased to be arrested. Nearly 2.5 ounces of marijuana, 2.67 grams of cocaine, and two tablets of meth were confiscated, the file stated

Brown also denied assaulting another officer, obstruction of justice, and driving on a revoked or suspended license.

In addition, Brown was arraigned on charges of possessing methamphetamine, possessing a firearm while possessing the drug, and possession of a firearm after being convicted of a felony on June 11, 2025.

A trial date has not been set.

In another case, Kristen Kelly Edwards, of Wachapreague, who violated her bond, asked to be released again so that she could have a medical procedure before going to prison for alleged drug offenses.

Edwards was charged with possession of heroin, possession of fentanyl, and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. She was not granted bond as she did not have arraignments for the procedure and was found to be a danger to herself due to her drug use.