A man facing felony charges in connection with the Jan. 27 killing of a 17-year-old Tabb High School student was convicted of separate robbery charges that stem from a September 2014 theft of marijuana.
Newport News resident Tevin DeSean Lambert, 20, was found guilty of one count of robbery and one count of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, both of which were felony charges.
Witnesses testified Lambert and a 15-year-old boy — who previously pleaded guilty to the crime and is serving a sentence at the Department of Juvenile Justice in Richmond — traveled by bicycle to a 16-year-old boy’s home on Cavalier Drive in York County to obtain marijuana.
Both boys testified against Lambert on Thursday in York-Poquoson Circuit Court and said Lambert provided the handgun used in the robbery.
The victim testified the 15-year-old arrived at his home around 10 p.m. Sept. 8 and suggested he wanted to buy marijuana from the victim. When the victim produced the marijuana, the 15-year-old took it from him and ran out of the home.
The victim chased the 15-year-old and said he saw Lambert waiting outside the home. The victim continued chasing the 15-year-old down the street until the 15-year-old produced a gun and said he would “shoot up [the victim’s] house” unless he gave up chase.
The victim returned to his home and notified authorities of the incident.
Attorney Richard Collins, who represented Lambert, argued the incident was a larceny, rather than a felony, rendering the charges against Lambert invalid.
Collins argued the 15-year-old had already established possession of the marijuana, and the use of the firearm was to aid his escape.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Ben Hahn argued the use of the firearm was the final act in establishing control over the marijuana, qualifying it as armed robbery instead of larceny.
York-Poquoson Circuit Court Judge Richard Rizk sided with Hahn in his ruling, finding Lambert guilty on both counts.
“It’s obvious a robbery was committed by both of them,” Rizk said.
Lambert will be back in court Oct. 8 for sentencing on the robbery convictions.
He is also suspected of helping arrange a drug deal that resulted in the shooting death of 17-year-old Grafton High School student Dylan Peters at his York County home in January.
Lambert is accused of providing the shooting suspect with a backpack to store the stolen drugs and is facing a felony count of conspiracy to commit robbery. His trial for that charge is scheduled for 9 a.m. Aug. 11.
Related Coverage:
- Suspect in Tabb Homicide Heads to Grand Jury on Pot Robbery Charges
- Court Documents: Man Facing Robbery Charges in Tabb Homicide Helped Another Steal Weed
- Additional Charges for Suspected Accomplice in Tabb Homicide
- Suspected Shooter in Tabb Homicide to Remain in Custody Until Trial
- Court Documents: Teen Told Friend He Shot Tabb Student
- YPSO Makes Second Arrest in Connection with Fatal Shooting of Tabb High Student
- Sheriff: Suspect Fired Five Shots Through Door, Killing Tabb High Student
- YPSO: Teenager Arrested in Fatal Shooting of Tabb High Student
- YPSO: Shooter on the Loose After Killing 17-Year-Old Boy in Tabb
