MAPPSVILLE, ACCOMACK COUNTY – A 22-year-old Northampton man was sentenced to 18 months in prison Thursday for assaulting two deputies while believed to be under the influence of PCP during a disturbance last August. Bryan Velasquez was convicted of malicious wounding and assault and battery in Accomack Circuit Court. The incident occurred around 3:30 a.m. when deputies responded to a complaint that Velasquez had attempted to bite several people at a gathering in Mappsville.
Court records revealed that Velasquez, agitated and seemingly under the influence of drugs, bit Deputy A. Clark, causing bleeding and a muscle tear in her hand. The injury resulted in scarring and loss of feeling in parts of her hand. The defendant was later found to be under the influence of PCP, a hallucinogen known to provoke violent behavior.
In addition to his prison sentence, Velasquez will serve two years of supervised probation and five years of good behavior. He has been in jail for about eight months and is likely to face deportation. During the hearing, Velasquez apologized to the officers, stating he did not intend to cause harm.
Accomack Circuit Court