Harvey L. Bryant, Commonwealth’s Attorney for the City of Virginia Beach, announced that Brandon Lewis Phillips, 19 years old, previously residing in the 5800 block of Northampton Boulevard, pled guilty and was sentenced yesterday on charges of Robbery, Robbery (Attempt), Use of a Firearm (2 counts), Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, and Violation of Probation. This plea and plea agreement were accepted by Circuit Court Judge William R. O’Brien, and Phillips was formally sentenced to 53 years in prison with forty (40) years suspended, leaving 13 years to serve. Phillips must remain on good behavior for fifty (50) years after his release, will be on intensive supervised probation for an indeterminate period of time, and may have no contact with known gang members, specifically members of any Blood gang.
The Commonwealth’s evidence proved that at about 10:45 p.m. on February 8, 2012, the two adult victims were walking through the Tallwood area in the City of Virginia Beach to a 7-Eleven store. Brandon Lewis Phillips approached them, pointed a gun at them, and demanded money. As he ran his hands through their pockets in search of money and their cell phones, he told them, “I will pistol whip you.” He got $22.00 from the female victim before fleeing in a Chrysler 300.
The victims managed to conceal a cell phone from Phillips during the robbery and were able to immediately call 911. Two patrol officers with the Virginia Beach Police Department saw the car leaving the area and initiated a traffic stop. They found the handgun in the glove box in front of Phillips and $22.00 on the floor. Phillips admitted to committing the robbery.
Phillips has a prior conviction for Grand Larceny for which he was ordered to remain on good behavior for three (3) years. This offense occurred during that good behavior period; therefore Phillips was convicted of a Violation of Probation.
Please contact Macie Pridgen if additional information is desired.