Parksley Man Gets Five Years for Online Sex Solicitations of Children

By Linda Cicoira

While free on bond and awaiting judgment for using a computer to solicit sex from a minor in 2025, a young Parksley man admitted Thursday that he went online again, despite a restriction that prohibited him from using the internet, contacted a 13-year-old girl through a game site, and made a similar request.

Retired Judge Revell Lewis of Accomack Circuit Court sentenced 21-year-old Matthew Thomas, of Hopkins Road, to a total of 20 years in prison. He suspended all but the mandatory minimum of five years and ordered the defendant to participate in any sex-offender programs that are available in the state penitentiary. Thomas will be on supervised probation and good behavior after serving his term. He will also be required to register as a sex offender.

Wearing a white Accomack Jail jumpsuit and shackled at the waist and with ankle and wrist cuffs, Thomas told the judge of his woes.

“During the course of two months” in jail, it has been “extremely hot” and “miserable,” the defendant said. Thomas claimed that he was “assaulted and almost beat up” while incarcerated. “I just want to get the help I need. I’m sorry this is happening.” He said he feared dying in jail. “I just really hope I can get the help I need.”

Thomas pleaded guilty to the first incident in March. That charge involved a vigilante child predator group that intervened in February 2025 at the local public library where Thomas planned to meet his prey, who was really a group decoy.

Judgment was withheld on that charge pending completion of a presentence report and a psychosexual examination. Results of the exam were not disclosed publicly. However, those findings caused a sheriff’s investigator to be on an even higher alert.

Thomas was indicted earlier this week on the second charge that occurred on March 3, 2026. The victim was again younger than 15. Thomas also admitted this offense.

Commonwealth’s Attorney Spencer Morgan said the defendant is of low intelligence and has developmental disabilities. He recommended the sentence that Judge Lewis handed down. Defense lawyer Carl Bundick said they were thankful for the outcome.

In another sex-related case, 57-year-old Michael Sean Patterson, of Onley, said he attended a special school because his brain level was that of a 5th grader. He could not read or write. He pleaded guilty to two counts of failing to register as a Tier III sex offender in May and August of 2025.

He was initially sentenced in 2019 to five years in prison, with all but the three years he had already served suspended for carnal knowledge of a child between 13 and 14 years old in 2007.

The charges of failing to register as a sex offender actually involve not telling state officers that he changed jobs. According to proffers, Patterson has mental health issues and was recently found competent to stand trial.