Wednesday, Dec. 9th:
*Pre-Sentencing Report Hearing (Arson charge) (@ 9am ET) – VA – Megan Lorraine Metzger (19) (July 17, 2018, Appomattox County; found July 22, 2018) - *Juan Benavidez III (19/now 21) arrested & charged (7/20/18) & arraigned (10/9/18) with felony count of arson of a vehicle. Charged & indicted (12/17/19) with 1 count of arson (personal property), destroying evidence of a Felony, accessory after the fact (F1 & F2), malicious setting fire to wood/grass & destruction of property with intent (over $1K). Held without bond.
1/29/19 Update: Plead guilty (no contest) to accessory after a homicide, conceal or compound a felony, defilement of a dead body, concealing a dead body & grand larceny: auto theft. Sentencing is scheduled for 5/9, rescheduled for 2/24/20. 2/24/10: Sentenced to 13 years in prison.
1/29/19: still facing arson and other charges in Westmoreland. Status hearing on 5/17, continued to 7/26. 7/26/19: Hearing for arson plus charges continued to 10/25. 10/25/19: Arson charges are now scheduled for status hearing on 4/24/20.
4/24/20 Update: Status hearing on 4/24 was rescheduled due to the coronavirus to 7/10/20. 7/8/20 Update: Plea deal in the works. Status hearing for 7/10 has been cancelled. Next Plea hearing on 8/14/20. 8/14/20 Update: Plea hearing has been moved to 9/25/20.
9/25/20 Update: Arson: Benavidez plead guilty to arson. Court documents say several other charges he faced are no longer being pursued: Accessory to murder after the fact, destroying evidence, maliciously set fire & destruction of property with the intent. Next pre-sentencing report hearing on 12/9/20.
*David Weston Newton (20) – Plead guilty to a plea deal. As part of a plea agreement accepted by Judge William Glover, Newton was sentenced to life in prison with all but 40 years suspended. Eight other felony charges were dropped as part of the deal.
*Robert Patrick Keating – Plead guilty. Sentencing was on 2/24/20 & sentenced to 21 years in prison.
*Keelyn Rose Codynah – Plead guilty. Sentencing was on 2/24/20 & sentenced to 16 years in prison.