Man pleads not guilty to 39 counts of possession of child pornography

By Linda Cicoira

A 20-year-old Belle Haven man, who was convicted in late 2025 in connection with a drive-by shooting in Northampton County, entered pleas of not guilty to 39 counts of possessing child pornography at an arraignment held Thursday in Accomack Circuit Court.

Nicholas (Nick) Edward Petrillo, of Belle Haven, requested his trial be heard by a jury, rather than a judge. The allegations occurred on 18 days between Dec. 27, 2023, and July 15, 2024. The girl in the 22 videos and 18 images was 15 years old at that time. She is not being identified because of the nature of the alleged crimes and her age.

Evidence that he obtained the material was obtained from his cell phone after a search warrant was obtained, according to court records.

A trial was set for July 9.

Petrillo was sentenced to a total of 21 years in prison for charges related to the Bayview area shooting. All but a year was suspended. Petrillo had already served his time when the sentence was handed down, but he continued to be held on the pornography charges. He was wearing a bright orange Virginia Beach Jail jumpsuit and was chained around the waist, at the wrists, and ankles.

He was granted a $10,000 unsecured bond Thursday. The bond requires supervision by pretrial services, living at his parents’ home in Belle Haven, and being on good behavior.

In an unrelated case, 20-year-old Keeshaen Northan Jr., of Germain Lane in Parksley, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit credit card fraud, which is a felony, and misdemeanor disorderly conduct.

The incidents were alleged to have occurred at the Great Market Hacienda Store in Parksley on May 6, 2025. In accordance with a plea agreement, judgment was withheld for a year. Northan was accused of conspiring with two juveniles to purchase snacks with a credit card that did not belong to them. They three were also accused of attempting to return the items for cash. They later claimed to have found a wallet that contained the card along the roadside. If Northan completes a year of good behavior, the felony charge will be dismissed.