By Michael Copley
Staff Writer
mcopley@powhatantoday.com

In one month last summer, nine homes in Powhatan County were burglarized. Doors were kicked or pried open and thousands of dollars worth of jewelry, electronics, and firearms were stolen.

Law enforcement authorities realized similar crime waves were hitting localities across Virginia, and by August two people were under the surveillance of a task force representing 18 jurisdictions.

On Sept. 13, 2010, police arrested Maurice James Becton, 30, and Dominyce Judea Brown, 25, at Brown’s apartment in Richmond. At the time, the pair was linked to more than 80 burglaries. A Powhatan prosecutor later described Becton and Brown as participants in an organized crime network that targeted homes across the Commonwealth.

Becton was charged in Powhatan with nine counts of breaking and entering, nine counts of grand larceny, and nine related firearms charges.

Brown was charged with burglary, grand larceny, and destruction of property.

During a hearing in October 2010, Powhatan Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Richard Cox argued against bond in Becton’s case due to the “severity” of the crimes and the “punishment that may be imposed.”

There was “no bond that could ensure the safety of others,” Cox said.

Citing evidence that suggested Becton might have been armed during the burglaries, District Judge Paul Cella denied bond.

Brown, who cooperated with police after her arrest, had been freed on a recognizance bond in September.

Brown told investigators that she and Becton would pick a direction and then drive out of Richmond until the car’s radio signal faded. Sufficiently far from home, the pair would don gloves and break into houses where no one was home. They were in and out quickly; Brown grabbed the jewelry while Becton focused on electronics.

From the nine homes in Powhatan alone, Becton and Brown are believed to have stolen an estimated $45,550 worth of gold jewelry, televisions, computers and guns.

Some of the guns and electronics were recovered. Most of the gold jewelry was melted down after it was unloaded at a pawn shop in Richmond.

On June 10, 2011, Becton pleaded no contest to nine counts of breaking and entering and nine counts of grand larceny. Under a plea agreement, prosecutors dropped nine firearms charges, which downgraded the maximum penalty on each breaking and entering charge from life in prison to 20 years.

Brown’s cases have been continued four times in the district court. A preliminary hearing on her three felony charges is scheduled for August 19.

While Becton faces 360 years in prison for his crimes in Powhatan, a prosecutor speculated that sentencing guidelines would recommend about 12 years on each conviction. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 27.