Md. man sentenced for stealing vehicle

By Linda Cicoira

A Maryland man was sentenced to 1.5 years of active time in jail on Thursday in Accomack Circuit Court for breaking into Collision Works in Tasley and stealing a vehicle earlier this year.

Thirty-five-year-old Kelly Joe Fordham, of 4th Street in Chesapeake Beach, received 10 years with all but a year suspended for the burglary and 10 years with all but six months suspended for the theft. He was ordered to pay more than $3,000 in restitution. Driving the vehicle, which belonged to William Nottingham and was in the shop for repair, damaged the transmission. The crimes occurred Feb. 23, 2025. Fordham’s attorney said his client has already served nine months of the term.

     In another case, 40-year-old Larry Thomas Mears, of Metompkin Road in Parksley, was sentenced to five years in prison with all but two years suspended for unauthorized use of a vehicle belonging to G.L. Williams on Nov. 11, 2024. Upon release, Mears will be on two years of supervised probation and five years of good behavior. He was on probation at the time of the offense and must serve another six months for the violation.