Two Portsmouth Men Convicted in Gold Shop Attempted Robbery and the Murder of Robert Nelson

NORFOLK, VA—Kevin Stevens, Jr., 21, and Xavier Holley, 20, both of Portsmouth, Virginia, have been convicted by a federal jury on charges relating to an October 2010 conspiracy to rob the Gold Shop in Portsmouth, Virginia, and the murder of Robert Nelson at the Gold Shop. Both were convicted of one count of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery, two counts of attempted robbery, one count of use of a firearm during a crime of violence, and one count of use of a firearm during a crime of violence causing the death of Robert Nelson.

Neil H. MacBride, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, made the announcement after the verdicts were accepted by Chief United States District Court Judge Rebecca Beach Smith. Stevens and Holley face a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and a mandatory consecutive five year sentence when they are sentenced on October 23, 2012.

According to court records and evidence at trial, between October 4 and 6, 2010, Stevens and Holly conspired and attempted to rob the Gold Shop located on Portsmouth Boulevard in Portsmouth, Virginia. During the October 6, 2010 attempt, a firearm was used and discharged, resulting in the death of Robert Nelson, who was working at the Gold Shop at the time.

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.

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.usdoj.gov/usao/vae.