Portsmouth Men Sentenced for Robbery Conspiracy and Murder

NORFOLK, VA—Kevin Stevens, Jr., 21, and Xavier Holley, 20, both of Portsmouth, Virginia, were sentenced today to life plus 60 months in prison for charges stemming from their roles in the robbery of the Gold Shop in Portsmouth, which resulted in the slaying of an individual working there.

Neil H. MacBride, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Juan C. Molina, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Norfolk Field Office, made the announcement after sentencing by United States Chief District Judge Rebecca Beach Smith.

Stevens and Holley were found guilty on July 13, 2012, at the conclusion of a four-day jury trial. According to court documents and the evidence presented at trial, Stevens, Holley, and their co-conspirators twice attempted to rob the Gold Shop, a pawn business located in Portsmouth. Holley provided a loaded firearm to be used during the crime. During the second attempted robbery, Stevens shot and killed Robert Nelson, who was watching the Gold Shop for his friend, using the gun that Holley had supplied.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Portsmouth Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Benjamin L. Hatch and V. Kathleen Dougherty prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States. Special Assistant United States Attorney Elizabeth B. Fitzwater was also involved in prosecuting the case before her death last year.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia at http://www.justice.gov/usao/vae.