Two Charged in Relation to Murder of Newport News Man

NEWPORT NEWS, VA—Aronte D. Jarvis 25, of Newport News, was indicted by a federal grand jury for murder, weapons violations, and narcotics distribution. His former girlfriend, Tayvonna Licorish, 24, also of Newport News, Virginia, was indicted as an accessory after the fact. A federal grand jury indicted the individuals on October 10, 2012, and the indictment was unsealed on Friday.

Neil H. MacBride, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Juan C. Molina, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office, made the announcement.

Jarvis was charged with murder in aid of racketeering activity, discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence, murder with a firearm, and drug conspiracy. Licorish was indicted on a single count of accessory after the fact. Jarvis faces a penalty of 15 years and up to life in prison, depending on the criminal activity. The murder charge is potentially death-eligible. Licorish faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.

According to the indictment, Jarvis was a member of a criminal organization known as “Thug Relations,” operating in the Aqueduct Apartments, St. Michael’s Apartments, Warwick Lawns, Warwick Town Homes, Heritage Trace Apartments, Mariner’s Landing Apartments, Sharon Drive, and the Savage Drive areas of Newport News. The defendant and others established the power and prestige of the gang through violence, including the murder of Jonte Terry on February 3, 2008. Terry, 22, was shot in the Kmart parking lot located at Oriana Drive in Newport News. The indictment alleges that Terry was killed by Jarvis for the purpose of gaining entrance into and maintaining his position in “Thug Relations.”

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance of the Newport News Police Department and the Virginia State Police. Assistant United States Attorneys Howard J. Zlotnick and Lisa R. McKeel are prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

Criminal indictments are only charges and not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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.