Harvey L. Bryant, Commonwealth’s Attorney for the City of Virginia Beach, announced today that  Keone Rashad Baxter, 30 years old, previously residing in the 900 block of Shaman Crescent, was convicted by a jury on the charges of  Attempted Robbery and Conspiracy.  The jury’s decision to impose the maximum sentence on those charges of a total of twenty (20) years in the Virginia Department of Corrections and a fine of $50,000.00 was imposed by the Honorable Edward W. Hanson, Jr.  Baxter had also been indicted on charges of First Degree Murder and two (2) counts of Use of a Firearm, but the jury acquitted him on those charges.  Baxter had previous convictons for Possession of Marijuana; Possession of Marijuana with the Intent to Distribute; Possession of Cocaine; Possession of an Imitation Controlled Substance with the Intent to Distribute; and Petit Larceny.

The Commonwealth’s evidence proved that on February 7, 2008, the victim, Sharrod Bailey, met Beverly Johnson at the club, Luxury Brown.  He later spoke with Johnson over the telephone and drove to the Mayfair Apartments, off Newtown Road, under the impression that he would pick her up to have a meal at IHOP.  Baxter, Alvin Evans, and Johnson had earlier planned to set up men for the purpose of robbery. Johnson lured the victim to the apartment complex around 3:30 a.m. When he arrived, Johnson walked away under the guise of getting a coat. Baxter and Evans approached the car and demanded that Bailey open the door.  Evans then shot him to death through the driver’s side window. DNA belonging to Evans was located in the victim’s pocket; a fingerprint belonging to Evans was also was found at the scene.  Virginia Beach police tracked the men to New York with the assistance of the US Marshal’s Service, where they were observed but escaped arrest. When Baxter and Evans returned to Virginia Beach, the police were able to take them into custody.

Beverly Johnson is awaiting sentencing on charges of Robbery and Conspiracy arising from this matter.  Alvin Evans is set for trial on December 2, 2009.

Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Philip C. Hollowell and Senior Assistant Edwin S. Booth prosecuted the case.  Please call Julie Pickell if additional information is desired.