Harvey L. Bryant, Commonwealth’s Attorney for the City of Virginia Beach, announced today that Aaron Christopher Tingen, 25 years old, who previously resided in the 1500 block of Canterford Lane in Virginia Beach, Virginia, was sentenced today by Circuit Court Judge Stephen C. Mahan for Statutory Burglary, Grand Larceny, and Credit Card Theft. Judge Mahan sentenced Tingen to ten (10) years in prison, all suspended.
At the time Tingen committed these offenses, he was on court-ordered “good behavior” for two (2) counts each of Burglary and Grand Larceny and one (1) count of misdemeanor Obtaining Money by False Pretenses from an August 2010 sentencing. These new criminal convictions, committed only about a month after his release from jail, were violations of his “good behavior” period, which resulted in the Court revoking all of Tingen’s prison time that was previously suspended. Therefore, Judge Mahan today sentenced Tingen to an additional 11 years in prison for violating his probation. His total sentence today is 21 years in prison with 10 years suspended, leaving 11 years to serve. This sentence far exceeds the Virginia State Sentencing Guidelines’ recommended maximum of seven (7) years and six (6) months in prison for the combined new offenses and probation violation.
Tingen was found guilty of Burglary, Grand Larceny, and Credit Card Theft by Judge Mahan after a trial in November 2012. The Commonwealth’s evidence proved that on February 1, 2012, Aaron Tingen and Paul Hawkins broke into a home and stole jewelry, electronics, credit cards, and medication. The victim came home during the burglary, causing Tingen and Hawkins to flee. Several witnesses called the police and a search began. Both men were found separately by police shortly thereafter, still possessing the victim’s belongings.
Hawkins pled guilty to Burglary, Conspiracy, Grand Larceny, and Credit Card Theft and was sentenced to six (6) years, all suspended.
“Tingen is an example of criminals who don’t appreciate, respect, or fear suspended jail time or good behavior provisions in their sentences. He proved that he’s either in jail or committing crimes. Society will be protected from him for the next ten years at least,” Bryant said.
Tingen’s extensive criminal record proves he has been stealing in Virginia Beach since he was a juvenile. He has adjudications as a juvenile for Grand Larceny (2 counts), Burglary, Possession of Marijuana, Trespassing, and Underage Possession of Alcohol. He has convictions as an adult for two (2) counts each of Burglary, Grand Larceny, Petit Larceny, Obstruction of Justice, and Underage Possession of Alcohol, and one (1) count each of Obtaining Money by False Pretenses and Receiving Stolen Property.
The case was prosecuted by Senior Commonwealth’s Attorney S. Catherine Dodson. Please contact Macie Pridgen if additional information is desired.