Courts Archives - Potomac Local News

Published August 28, 2025 at 4:48PM

Myers

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. — A Prince William County jury has convicted Lisa Gaye Myers, 60, of voluntary manslaughter in the 2021 shooting death of her ex-boyfriend and tenant, Travis Kelly Deardorff. The verdict reduces her potential sentence to a maximum of 10 years in prison.

Myers was initially indicted of first-degree murder for the November 27, 2021, shooting inside her home on Bradford Lane, near Independent Hill. Police said Myers called 911 after shooting Deardorff in the head during an argument. He later died at a hospital.

Breaking News

Judge Refuses to Stay Ruling Voiding Prince William Digital Gateway Rezonings

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 27, 2025 at 2:19PM | Updated August 27, 2025 at 3:38PM

MANASSAS, Va. — The court fight over the Prince William Digital Gateway reached a turning point Wednesday as Judge Kimberly Irving declined to stay her ruling that voided rezonings for the massive data center corridor.

Irving struck down the rezonings on August 7, finding that the county’s public notices ahead of December 2023 hearings did not comply with state and local law. County lawyers and developers had urged her to put the decision on hold while they appealed, warning that the ruling could stall plans for 37 data centers on 2,100 acres along Pageland Lane.

Prince William

Murder Case Ends in 20-Year Prison Sentence

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 17, 2025 at 10:15AM

The Judicial Center for Prince William County, Manassas, and Manassas Park.

MANASSAS, Va. – Prince William County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office just told Potomac Local News they’ve secured a conviction in a deadly 2024 shooting on Stream Walk Lane, near Route 234 and Interstate 66, near Manassas. Zahir Abdul-Rahman Mujahid, 39, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the death of Horace Roy Johnson III and has been sentenced to 40 years in prison—with more than 19 years suspended.

The shooting happened the night of November 23, 2024, near Balls Ford Road. Police found Johnson dead at the scene, along with shell casings and a pair of red glasses known to belong to Mujahid. Investigators say Mujahid shot Johnson multiple times after a fight broke out.

Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg Man Found Guilty in 2024 Shooting; Sentencing Set for October

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 11, 2025 at 10:12PM

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – The Fredericksburg Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office states a jury has found Shawn O’Neal Parker guilty in a 2024 shooting that left one man severely and permanently injured.

Jurors convicted Parker on July 30 of aggravated malicious wounding and using a firearm in the crime. Days later, a judge also found him guilty of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Prosecutors say Parker shot David Franklin Greenhow III in Fredericksburg on October 28, 2024.

Stafford

County Slaps Brakes on Timbering Near Proposed Data Center Site

By Potomac Local News

Published June 13, 2025 at 2:30PM

STAFFORD, Va. – A judge has temporarily halted timbering near Courthouse Road, where a developer plans to build a large data center. The emergency injunction comes after neighbors raised alarms and Stafford County filed a legal complaint alleging zoning violations and broken land-use promises.

The order, granted June 9, 2025, targets Augustine South Associates, LLC, linked to the proposed 1,042-acre GWV data center now under consideration for rezoning. The land is zoned A-2 Rural Residential, where commercial tree cutting is prohibited. The county’s complaint also says the work violated “Proffer 9,” a condition meant to preserve trees unless their removal is essential.

News

Ashworth Asks for More Staff as Supervisors Look to Approve Budget

By Caitlyn Meisner

Published April 21, 2025 at 9:00AM | Updated April 22, 2025 at 8:41AM

[KATRIN BOLOVTSOVA via Pexels]

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Manassas

Manassas Mother Indicted for First-Degree Murder After Initial Charges Dismissed

By Alan Gloss

Published March 5, 2025 at 10:34PM

Latoya Crabbe

A Manassas mother of three, LaToya Crabbe, has been indicted on a first-degree murder charge for the October 21, 2024, shooting death of her husband, Curtis Crabbe. This marks the second time she has been indicted, following the dismissal of an earlier indictment due to prosecutorial unpreparedness.

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News

Judge Dismisses Murder Case Against Latoya Crabbe, Orders Her Release; More Charges Expected

By Alan Gloss

Published February 28, 2025 at 11:31AM | Updated February 28, 2025 at 2:08PM

Latoya Crabbe shares an embrace with her three children ages 5, 4 and 2. (Photo by Alan Gloss)

A judge ordered the release of Latoya Crabbe from jail after dismissing a second-degree murder charge against her, citing repeated missed deadlines by the prosecution.

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News

Pr. William Commonwealth’s Attorney Ordered to Pay $22K for FOIA Violation

By Alan Gloss

Published February 26, 2025 at 2:43PM

Prince William County Commonwealth Attorney Amy Ashworth (Photo: Mike Beaty)

The Prince William County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office has been ordered to pay a $22,250 sanction for violating Virginia’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

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Manassas

“Mommy! Mommy! I Missed You!” – Latoya Crabbe’s Tearful Reunion with Her Children Four Months After Being Jailed

By Alan Gloss

Published February 22, 2025 at 7:28AM

Latoya Crabbe shares an embrace with her three children ages 5, 4 and 2. (Photo by Alan Gloss)

Latoya Crabbe, the Manasas woman accused of shooting and killing her estranged husband, Curtis Crabbed, was released from jail on Friday, February 21, 2025.

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