Onancock man sentenced to 2.5 years in prison on felony mask charge; additional Accomack cases heard in Circuit Court

By Linda Cicoira

An Onancock man was sentenced to 2.5 years of active time in prison on Thursday in Accomack Circuit Court for felony wearing a mask to conceal his identity, three misdemeanors, and violating probation.

Twenty-three-year-old Jaheem Hassan Snead, who is also listed as living in Salisbury, Md., was given a suspended five-year term for the felony, a year with six months suspended for harassment by computer, a year with six months suspended for unauthorized dissemination of an image, a year with six months suspended for using profane language over an airway, and a year for violating the terms of his probation. The offenses occurred in April 2025. Snead pleaded guilty at an October trial.

Judge Lynwood W. Lewis Jr. and Commonwealth’s Attorney Spencer Morgan agreed that the crimes were disturbing in that they were similar to his previous behavior.

Defense lawyer Patrick Bales said his client was “young and stupid. The trick is to realize your turn is over, realize you can’t drink, and use other substances. Every time he uses, he breaks out in handcuffs.”

Morgan said a major concern was the victim in the first case was an ex-girlfriend and now it’s another. “Mr. Snead gets violent with people when his feelings are hurt,” the prosecutor said, adding that it really concerns me about how he conducts himself with others. He inflicted terrifying moments on her. He was trying to get into the bathroom where she had locked herself.

Bales said, Snead has shown a “great deal of maturity” since then.

In another case, 56-year-old Ronald Androne Fosque, of Church Road in Accomac, was given a 10-year suspended sentence for breaking into the home of Grover Wessells, in January 2025. He will be on two years of supervised probation and five years of good behavior after completing a government rehab program.

A presentence report was ordered for 22-year-old Wilmer David Bamaca Gamboa, of Bloxom, who pleaded guilty to a second offense of DWI, driving with a revoked driver’s license, and property destruction valued at more than $1,000. The crimes occurred in front of Barfield’s Auction in Hallwood when the defendant lost control of his vehicle while driving at a high rate of speed and hit several signs. The case was continued until March.