By Nancy Drury Duncan –
Joseph Tykot, 58, of Painter, charged with the second-degree murder of Eric Rhatigan in June 2016 and free on bond, asked to be released from wearing a GPS ankle monitor, a condition of his bond.
Defense attorney Randall Leeman said his client had bruising and circulation problems due to an earlier accident and wearing the monitor exacerbated those problems. He suggested another method of keeping track of Tykot’s whereabouts with a new system that uses a cellphone providing GPS coordinates.
Jolynn Perry, of the pretrial services office supervising Tykot, said she believed the system would do what is needed. She explained to the court that his phone would be randomly called as many times a day as the court wished and that Tykot must answer within a specified amount of time. The phone’s location is reported to the system and Tykot is also required to take a photo of himself that clearly shows his surroundings.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Spencer Morgan said he was opposed to the change. “The commonwealth is concerned about the safety and concern of witnesses who may be called to testify against Tykot,” he said. After questioning Perry, Judge W. Revell Lewis III granted Tykot’s motion to remove the ankle monitor. He said he wanted Tykot to receive the random calls 10 times a day. “If he violates the terms of his bond, he is subject to having bond revoked,” Lewis warned.
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Edward Paige Trader Jr., 40, of Chincoteague, will spend six months in jail for violating the terms of his probation. He was convicted in October 2020 of making threats in writing to another person.
In April, Christopher Fox made a complaint to the Chincoteague police department about being harassed with text messages on his cellphone. He said Trader threatened to kill or injure him.
Both men complained about each other, said Commonwealth’s Attorney Morgan, with as many as 100 messages a day. He said the last communication was from Fox telling Trader he would call the authorities. Trader responded with 156 messages in a single day. Morgan said an officer told Trader he could block Fox’s texts, but said Trader refused to let it go and continued.
Judge Lewis sentenced Trader to three years with all but time served suspended. He ordered him to be on probation for 10 years and to have no contact of any kind with Fox.
This is his second probation violation, said Morgan. “It has been made clear to Trader, not once, but twice, to have no contact with Fox.” He said Trader violated the judge’s order.
“He has been in jail three months,” said defense attorney Tucker Watson. “He messed up. He needs to work on his sobriety.”
Judge Lewis told Trader, “You violated your parole in August 2021.” The judge said he did not sentence Trader to any jail time for that violation. This time, he sentenced Trader to six months in jail and ordered him to be on probation for two years and good behavior for five years. He told him he could use no alcohol or marijuana as a condition of his probation. He stressed again that Trader was to have no contact of any kind with Fox.
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Robert Michael Selby Jr., 25, of Onancock, failed to comply with the first offender program he requested one year ago, said Commonwealth’s Attorney Morgan.
He has a job interview at Food Lion and still wants to be drug free, said defense attorney Carl Bundick. He asked that Selby be given probation with no jail time.
“A year ago you requested the opportunity to participate in the program,” said Judge Lewis. “You were not able to do it. I find you guilty of possession of cocaine.” He sentenced Selby to two years and suspended all but 30 days of that time. He ordered Selby to be on supervised probation for two years and good behavior for five years. He added special conditions to Selby’s probation. “No alcohol, no marijuana, and no illegal drugs,” he said. Selby was remanded to jail to begin serving his time.
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William Charles Colona IV, 19, of Painter, charged with possession of cocaine, asked to participate in the first offender program.
State police had information he would be at the Club Car restaurant in Parksley and went there to serve a warrant. When Colona was arrested, he told them he had cocaine in his sock.
Because he has no previous convictions involving drugs, he is eligible for the program. He will be on probation for one year, is required to complete 100 hours of community service, and to pay court costs. If he successfully completes the program, the felony drug charge will be dismissed. He was ordered to return to court Jan. 26, 2023.
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Antalf Nottingham, 42, of Nassawadox, entered into a plea agreement with the commonwealth. He was originally charged with felony eluding and possession with intent to distribute cocaine, according to the terms of the agreement. He pleaded guilty to the eluding charge. The charge of possession with intent to distribute cocaine was amended to simple possession.
On Dec. 16, 2020, an agent of the Eastern Shore Drug Task Force was in the parking lot of a Belle Haven business. Nottingham, who was the subject of a controlled drug buy earlier that day, pulled into the parking lot and then sped away. Police and the task force agent pursued his vehicle. They saw something thrown from the car. Nottingham crossed U.S. Route 13 without stopping. His car went airborne when crossing the railroad track, said Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney William Fox. A search of his car found $20 bills and marijuana. The item thrown from his car was located and tested. It contained 3.32 grams of cocaine, Fox told the court.
Nottingham stopped and surrendered willingly, said defense attorney Thomas Northam. “There was no crash and no struggle.” Judge Lewis accepted the plea agreement and ordered that a presentence investigation report be prepared. Nottingham’s sentencing is set for April 7.
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Warren Scott Johnson, 30, of Bloxom, entered pleas of not guilty to rape, object sexual penetration, and attempted rape. He requested a jury trial. The trial is set for Nov. 15. He is currently free on bond.
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Keeshaun Lamar Coston, 30, of Painter, pleaded not guilty to felony eluding, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, destruction of property belonging to Mt. Zion Baptist church in Painter, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, possession of amphetamine, and possession of a firearm while in possession of illegal drugs. He requested a jury trial.
