Onancock man pleads guilty to 10 felonies

By Linda Cicoira

A 48-year-old Onancock man admitted Thursday in Accomack Circuit Court to committing 10 felonies in connection with May 2023 incidents including three convenience store break-ins, thefts, and police officer assaults.

Macio L. Stewart, of Watson Street, was initially indicted on 14 charges. Four indictments will not be prosecuted as part of a plea agreement that called for the defendant to serve 12.5 years in prison and pay restitutions that totaled more than $1,700.

Stewart was charged with burglary and grand theft of Oceanway Market in Tasley, burglary at the Tru Blue store in Oak Hall, and burglary and petty larceny at the Corner Mart in Painter. He was also accused of attempted malicious bodily injury of Accomack Deputy M. Steele, assault and battery of Steele, assault of Deputy E. Solorzano, disarming Solorzano of a stun gun, attempting to remove a rifle from Solorzano, attempting to remove a handgun from Deputy Lt. J. Marsh, attempting to intimidate or impede Steele, Solorzano, and Marsh by threats of bodily harm while performing their duties, and intentionally preventing an officer from arresting the defendant.

Commonwealth’s Attorney Spencer Morgan said a man was seen on video surveillance trying to throw a brick through the window of the Oak Hall store. A vehicle from that incident was tracked back to Stewart, who was also taped at an Onley convenience store selling cigarettes from his trunk that were taken from the Tasley business.

Retired Judge W. Revell Lewis III accepted the agreement. Sentencing was set for Jan. 9.  Stewart was on probation when the crimes occurred. He will be given a mandatory minimum of two years for assault and battery of a police officer. Restitution included $1,300 for Oceanway and $477 for Corner Mart.

     Judge Lewis said the maximum punishment for the crimes was 105 years in prison and fines of $125,000.