Several convicts sentenced in Accomack Circuit Court

By Linda Cicoira

A 48-year-old Onancock man was sentenced Thursday in Accomack Circuit Court to 13.5 active years in prison for 10 felonies that included three convenience store break-ins, thefts, and police officer assaults in May 2023.

Macio L. Stewart, of Watson Street, was initially indicted on 14 charges. Four indictments were not prosecuted as part of a plea agreement. A restitution of more than $1,700 was ordered.

The charges included burglary and grand theft of Oceanway Market in Tasley, burglary at the Tru Blue store in Oak Hall, burglary and petty larceny at the Corner Mart in Painter, 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, trying 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.

Stewart could have been sentenced to the maximum term of 105 years in prison and fines of $125,000.

In another case, 39-year-old Crystal Blue Ebberts, of Ridge Road on Chincoteague, entered an Alford plea to a count of strangling Samantha Neifert on June 3, 2024. The plea means the defendant maintains her innocence while admitting there is enough evidence to convict her of the crime. She was sentenced to two years in prison with all but time served suspended.

Thirty-four-year-old Travis Ross Marshall, of Garman Lane on Tangier Island, was sentenced to a total of 21 years with all but 12 months of active time suspended for buying or receiving stolen property valued at more than $1,000, possessing cocaine, being a felon in possession of ammunition, and having consensual sex with a minor. The crimes occurred last year.

Thirty-six-year-old Justus Earnest, of Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 10 years in prison with all but time served suspended for the April 21, 2024, burglary of his uncle’s home in Accomack County. The victim told authorities his door was damaged, and the accused was there to kill him. The defendant was ordered to have no further contact with his uncle. He was sent back to his home state to face a parole issue.