Hi Friends & Family, 

We are asking for donations to help retain a post-conviction relief attorney for Justin, who we believe received an excessive sentence after a tragic accident.

Many people may have formed opinions about Justin’s case based on media reports, but those headlines don’t tell the full story. While Justin fully admits fault for driving under the influence, critical context and mitigating circumstances were never considered in court.

What Really Happened

On the night of the accident, Justin was followed and harassed by a group of four bikers driving aggressively — two in front, two behind. They were armed and trying to provoke an altercation. Fearing for his life, Justin sped up to get away. This resulted in a head-on collision with a driver in the opposite lane. Tragically, the other driver in the collision died on impact. 

The last thing Justin remembers from the accident is smoke entering his car through the vents, causing him to pass out. He was pulled from his car — seconds before it exploded into flames. 

There was a 911 call reporting shots fired at Justin’s vehicle, but we’ve never been given access to it. If obtained, this could help prove Justin was reacting out of fear for his life.

One of the bikers involved in harassing Justin on the road has an alleged history of similar violence. Despite this alarming and violent behavior, Justin’s public defender or the court never presented this information as part of his case. It could have helped establish a pattern of intimidation and aggression — context that is critical in understanding Justin’s actions the night of the accident. A new attorney could help us dig into this information, which the public defender did not even attempt to do. 

His Medical Condition Was Minimized

After the crash, Justin was rushed to the ICU. Despite nurses in court claiming he was “fine,” he suffered severe internal injuries: his leg shattered in several places, severe intestinal damage requiring removal of 6 inches of intestine, and breathing issues that required oxygen for a week.

An orthopedic surgeon told him not to walk on the broken foot for at least 120 days and that he needed surgery. However, within days, he was discharged into state custody under immense pressure from the prosecution. Justin was sent to jail in a wheelchair — and received no medical care for four months.

A Flawed Legal Process

Justin was appointed a public defender who knew the victim’s family and admitted to having a conflict of interest. He met Justin only three times for a total of 40 minutes over the entire case.

During his time in jail, Justin began participating in Bible study and started making positive changes. A man who had been released and joined a church in Richmond told people there about Justin’s story. Moved by his situation, members of the church and The Fixed Ministry program reached out to Justin directly through letters, without any prompting. They expressed their belief in Justin’s potential and their desire to help. When it came time for Justin’s plea hearing, several of these church members drove seven hours to Accomack, Virginia to be present in court. One of them spoke directly to the judge, stating that Justin is a good man and would be an excellent fit for their Fixed Ministry program. The judge seemed open to considering it at some point.

However, Justin’s public defender, without informing Justin or his family, and at the last minute, arranged for a one-week postponement in coordination with the Commonwealth Attorney. That week, the judge that had previously been dealing with Justin’s case was on vacation, and a substitute (retired) judge took over the sentencing. 

The substitute judge stated in court: “I did not have time to read the facts of the case, but I read the victim impact statements and that was enough” — admitting he had only read the victim impact statements, not the full case details. He sentenced Justin to 30 years with 5 suspended, far above the sentencing guidelines of 3 to 9 years.

Under § 19.2-298.01 of the Virginia Code, if a judge issues a sentence outside of these guidelines, they are required to file a written explanation. Justin and his family never received this explanation.

Additionally, his pre-sentence report (PSR) — which heavily influences sentencing — was conducted without Justin being informed of the process or being advised by his counsel. This was a violation of his 6th Amendment right to effective assistance of counsel. The court also failed to properly notify his family of the outcome of their reconsideration request, denying them their right to appeal within 30 days. His family found out about the denial of the decision years later online. 

This is not just an issue of sentencing, it’s an issue of due process being ignored.

Who Justin Is Today

While incarcerated, Justin has focused deeply on rehabilitation - spiritually, emotionally, and mentally. He participates in Bible studies multiple times per week at every facility he has been in, helping to cultivate an environment of recovery and restoration. These peer-led gatherings encourage men to walk in integrity and character in a place that often opposes both. Justin has stood as a counselor and example for those seeking change, offering constant support, never conforming to negativity.

Justin completed the CBISA program, a six-month course focused on sobriety, substance abuse recovery, corrective thinking, emotional regulation, and conflict resolution. He was recognized as a leader by the program's counselors and received two letters of recommendation. He has operated in the leadership office for church programs at each compound, serving as a voice and advocate for those who are illiterate or do not speak English. Justin also led a Spanish class in his unit at Baskerville, teaching men a second language and ministering at the same time. 

Justin is currently pursuing a Bachelors in Theology with a minor in Nouthetic Counseling through Calvary Christian College. He has earned certificates in CBISA and college course studies in Foundations of Theology, Greek, and Hebrew. He has also signed up for college classes through the DOC and has worked full-time throughout his incarceration, including positions in the kitchen, on the grass crew, in the medical unit, and as a floor restoration specialist.

Through it all, Justin’s purpose has been clear: to be an uplifting member of my community and lead men who were once destined to fail into assured future success. He is deeply committed to helping people avoid re-offending, with a strong focus on substance abuse recovery and relapse prevention. Justin’s driving passion is preventing future DWI accidents and encouraging others to never drink and drive. 

How You Can Help

We’re raising funds to retain a post-conviction relief attorney who can help Justin file for sentence reconsideration, clemency, or other relief options.

Your donation will go directly toward attorney fees for post-conviction relief, investigative services to retrieve items such as the 911 call and further information on the biker’s history, filing fees and legal research, and support for sentence reconsideration or clemency processes.

A personal message from Justin: “God is making a way to bring true justice to this case and to bring me home according to His reasonable time. Thank you for your help, God says they who bless His children will also be blessed! God bless you, may He bless you with more than you can fit in your storehouses. Amen. (Gen. 12:3; Ps. 146:5–7; Mal. 3:10)”

Justin would also like to share a verse that holds deep meaning for him and reflects his faith in God’s plan: “I am the LORD your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King. Thus saith the LORD, which maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters; Remember not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.” — Isaiah 43:15–16, 18–19

If you can’t contribute financially, please consider sharing this campaign — and especially reach out if you know an attorney experienced in habeas corpus, clemency, or post-conviction relief, you’re connected to a university law clinic, criminal justice reform group, or pro bono program.

Justin is deeply missed by his family and friends, and we believe justice demands that his case be reviewed fairly, with all the facts. Thank you for taking the time to read Justin’s story. We are praying for his return home and your kindness means more than words can express.