Prosser's "CYA" or "Cover-UP" Memo, full of falsehoods

Click on the image to enlarge for ease of reading, however, it is NOT easy to see his duplicity.

Adolf Hitler comparison - Judge Wetsel. Letter for Judge to Initiate Writ of Error Coram Vobis...

Photo of Prosser, Thomson "behind the back" of falsely Accused Jeff Washington working together to COERCE an invalid Alford Plea

Adolf Hitler comparison - Judge Wetsel. Is this Judicial Bias of the WORST degree?

A week before the "Sentencing Hearing" of 10 April 1995, Trial Judge, John E. Wetsel, Jr., compared Jeff Washington to Adolf Hitler.

According to the corrupt and invalid "Alford Plea" Plea Agreement of 28 February 1995 forced upon or coerced from the falsely accused Jeffrey Franklin Washington, the Defendant, or in reality, his Defense Counsel, may present evidence to the judge so to reduce the duration of JAIL time from the maximum to some lesser jail time.

Any surprise that seven days after Judge Wetsel compared Jeff Washington to Adolf Hitler, that he gave the MAXIMUM sentence of 70 years in JAIL?

By the way, the reporter Darcy Spencer honestly reported the OUTRAGEOUSLY BIASED WORDS of Judge Wetsel. On page 125 of the Court Transcript of the 4 April 1995 Sentencing Hearing of William Edward Beamer, III, and John Paul Doleman by Valley Reporting Agency, are the transcribed words of the biased judge Wetsel.

Judge Wetsel later sentenced the likely murderer, John Doleman, on page 128 to 53 years, with 33 years suspended, while seven days later sentencing the innocent, but COERCED Alford Plea defendant Jeffrey Franklin Washington to 70 years in Jail with NO YEARS suspended.

This is JUSTICE?

By the way, go to this link here to see where on 15 February 1995 the Micron inc Forensic Laboratory of Wilmington Delaware did a test of seven of the eight suspects and John Doleman tested POSITIVE, meaning he had fired a Gun before the Gun Shot Residue Kit sample was taken. What is John Doleman's explanation? Why did the Winchester Police FAIL to explore this test result honestly? Might it be the concept of "Don't confuse me with the facts, my mind is made up -- Jeff Washington is the man we want to convict (even if innocent)."

(Jeff Washington was tested in early September 1994 and shown to be NEGATIVE of ANY Gun Shot Residue, thus establishing that Washington did NOT fire a weapon, and thus, it does not take Sherlock Holmes to deduce that he could NOT have murdered Carlos Marshall by the gun shot through his chest).

Faithful Father Franklin Fights for Freedom for FOURTEEN YEARS for beloved son Jeff Washington who is INNOCENT

Over 4000 pages of Court related documents, but the key ones are the two pages each of the first two Gun Shot Residue Tests.

Here father Franklin is looking at one of the Gun Shot Residue Test reports.

Secretary of the Commonwealth Senior Deputy Bernie Henderson, submission letter to Pardon Jeff Washington without delay!

On 17 September a.d. 2008, the "Clemency" Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth Katherine Hanley, sent a letter to wrongly jailed Inmate #... (Jeffrey Franklin Washington)

...at the Greenville Correctional Facility near Emporia, Virginia not far from the North Carolina border...

...giving notice to submit his Pardon Petition package within 30 days.

The actual package was given to Governor Tim Kaine aide, Press Spokesman Gordon Hickey moments after the Pardon request was verbally conveyed face to face by Pardon Advocate James Renwick Manship, Sr. authorized by Notarized letter dated 29 September 2008 to act on behalf of Jeffrey Franklin Washington.

This submission provided record of the many communications since early September with the Governor's clemency office.

Governor Gilmore in 2000 Pardoned Washington (Earl), when will Kaine pardon Washington (Jeff)?

This letter is to former Governor James S. Gilmore, III, who granted a Pardon in 2000 to Earl Washington, Jr. when Gilmore learned that Forensic Evidence exonerated the accused Earl Washington who had been in jail for 14 years or more, even days away from execution on Death Row, despite being innocent of the charges on which a Court "Railroad" hearing convicted him.

Some wise man once said about the American Courts, "The American Justice System is the best that money can buy."

The Corollary of that is "IF you have money, you can "BUY JUSTICE" (if that is truly "justice").

But if you are a poor man, especially a poor black man, like Earl or Jeff Washington, you and "Lady Justice" will be RAPED by the Members of the Bar who make their income, receive their "blood money" like Judas, in their betrayal of the Truth.

Senator Webb and Governor Kaine letter to End Injustice and Pardon Jeff Washington

Key issue is that Governor Kaine does NOT need to waste Taxpayer Dollars or waste more of Jeff Washington's life by sending the Pardon Petition package to the Parole Board for "review" or more bureaucratic delays.

The issues are CLEAR to those of honesty and integrity who OPEN their EYES to the TRUTH, there is NO, repeat NO Scientific Evidence to connect Jeff Washington to the crime.

There are "Alibi" Witnesses, with nothing to gain, who say that Jeff Washington was NOT involved.

The case of the disgraced former "prosecutor" Paul Thomson is based only on "Plea Bargain" witnesses by four "Co-Defendants" who got reduced JAIL terms for "cooperation" with Prosecutor Thomson, to join in a false story that makes Jeff Washington the "fall guy".

There is also amply evidence of Forensic Misconduct by Winchester Police Investigators James Bailous and David Sobonya.

According to the 1970 U.S. supreme Court decision in North Carolina v. Alford, an "Alford Plea" is ONLY VALID IF (a) there is Evidence against the Accused (Scientific Evidence is "evidence", or Testimony by Expert Witnesses is also considered "evidence", but NEITHER Police testimony or Plea Bargain testimony is "evidence", thus the Jeff Washington so-called "Alford Plea" is invalid, or Void, or Void Ab Initio) and (b) "Competent Counsel".

Would YOU judge there was "Competent Counsel" when the Defense Counsel, John Prosser, coerces the mother of the Accused to persuade her son to accept an Alford Plea, when there is NO Scientific Evidence against his client, impeachable testimony of Prosecution Witnesses, and witnesses for his client Jeff Washington saying Jeff was NOT INVOLVED?

Senator Webb / GMU Law School Forum on Drug Trafficking, Policy and Sentencing

Author of this blog, James Renwick Manship, Sr., has been a Drug War Warrior ever since 1985 when he served as Commanding Officer of a Navy Cryptology unit that won the Delaney Award, the prize for the best crypto reserve unit in the Nation.

Now the dangers of Drugs have descended even into the police and prosecutors in a small city in Virginia, the lovely historic Winchester.

Governor Kaine Pardon Letter petition

Absolute Pardon (sample) "Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their countryman..."

Absolute Pardon (sample) from Patrick Henry Award from Governor Gilmore

U.S. Department of Justice Statistics on Alford Pleas and others...

U.S. Department of Justice Statistics on Alford Pleas and others...

While it may often be true the Defendant knows the EVIDENCE is against him, so "Cops a Plea" or accepts an Alford Plea to avoid a Death Sentence.

It is ALSO TRUE that the Defendant knows that he does not have "COMPETENT COUNSEL", if being COMPETENT includes being HONEST.

So a Defendant may ALSO take an Alford Plea because the Defense Counsel has shown signs of working with the Prosecutor to allow a CONVICTION with a Death Sentence.

That is the case of the case of Jeff Washington taking the Alford Plea, because of ample evidence of collusion between Prosecutor Paul Thomson with his so-called "Defense Counsel" John Prosser.

Time Line on Gun Shot Residue Tests requested by Commonwealth Attorney Alex Iden

Time Line on Gun Shot Residue Tests letter requested by Commonwealth Attorney Alex Iden during meeting in his office on the morning of 8 October a.d. 2008.

Old 2004 Alex Iden letter DENIAL of FOIA Request by Franklin Washington about Beamer Break-in

Letter from Franklin Washington to Chief Justice Leon Hassell to "drop" Writ of Prohibition against local judges

After Judge John Prosser recused himself on 22 August a.d. 2008 from a lawsuit filed by Franklin Washington and Judge John Wetsel recused himself from the same lawsuit on 28 August a.d. 2008, they got together to chose a third judge to preside over the trial.

Judge James Lane may be the best judge in Virginia, but the mere fact he was "appointed" by two recused judges Prosser and Wetsel invalidates his credibility as an impartial judge.

As a consequence a Writ of Prohibition was filed by Franklin Washington to prohibit Judge Lane or any other judge appointed by judges Prosser and Wetsel from presiding over the trial.

Turns out that Chief Judge Prosser had for over 10 days known that Judge Lane had also recused himself, so the Writ of Prohibition was Moot. The decision as to which judge will preside is now in the hands of Chief Justice Leon Hassell.

Voting results for Victory of Iden over Thomson (after week before Election news stories about Thomson's many misdeeds)

Voting results for Victory of challenger Republican City Councilman Alex R. Iden over incumbent Democrat Commonwealth Attorney Paul Thomson (after week before Election news stories about Thomson's many misdeeds alerted the Voting Populace of "something rotten in the State of ... Winchester Courts!)

Will Winchester Virginia "heal thyself" as NC did?

Please CLICK on the image to enlarge for ease of reading...

Today after church, I was doing research on the Pardon petition for Jeff Washington. I found The New York Times article of May 7, 2008 on the release of a N.C. inmate 14 years in jail. Likewise, Jeff Washington of Winchester, Virginia has been over 14 years in jail due to “missed critical evidence pointing to his innocence”.

Another article gave more revealing and positive data:
Innocent North Carolina Man Exonerated After 14 Years On Death Row
On May 2, 2008, the District Attorney of North Carolina's Duplin County dropped all charges against Levon "Bo" Jones, who has spent the last 14 years of his life on the state's death row after being wrongfully convicted for the 1987 murder of Leamon Grady. A federal judge ordered Jones off death row in 2006 and overturned his conviction, declaring that Jones' initial defense attorneys missed critical evidence pointing to his innocence.

Mr. Idens, I call on you to be wise like your District Attorney counterpart in North Carolina and drop all charges against Jeffrey Franklin Washington. As in NC, could wise, constructive action by YOU advance Justice, and obviate the need for a Pardon?

A former Lockheed Martin computer systems engineer, now in business in Winchester, Randy Cadmus, contacted me about the Jeff Washington case after reading the Northern Virginia Daily article by Alex Bridges on 5 September. He has scanned about 4000 pages of Case documents and photographs. Two Gun Shot Residue Tests, each “Inconclusive” by itself, together prove Washington innocent, with Prosecution “Plea Bargain” Witness John Doleman the gunman.

In the 1970 Alford “SCOTUS” decision, reading the opinion of Justice White, two prerequisites are essential for an “Alford Plea” to be valid on a Constitution Due Process Rights basis: 1) Evidence against the Accused, and 2) Competent Counsel.
Clearly there was NO Forensic Evidence against Jeff Washington, only “Plea Bargain” testimony of drug dealers and users.

Whether then attorney John Prosser was “Competent Counsel” before, or after 28 February 1995 when a deal was made with Paul H. Thomson, the man you beat in the 2001 election, is a subjective evaluation. The Winchester Police notes of 0840 on 2-17-99 state “...information that Paul Thomson is skimming money from drug dealers.”

One question is “Was the “prosecutor” a “Competent Counsel” or Corrupt Counsel in the case against Washington?”

How PROSECUTORS and Bureaucrats are Trampling the Constitution in the Name of "Justice"

CITIZENS, Beware!

Who is to protect us when the "protectors" (Police and Prosecutors) rape our Sacred Rights under "this Constitution for the United States of America" ??

The answer my friends, is not "blowing in the wind", the answer is the first three words of the Preamble of this Constitution:

"We the People"

Remember that George Washington wrote:
"A primary object... should be the education of our youth in the science of government.
"In a republic, what species of knowledge can be equally important?
"And what duty more pressing... than communicating it to those who are to be the future guardians of the liberties of the country?"

We the People must learn, and love, and be the guardians, the protectors of "Lady Liberty" who is defined by the principles of this Constitution!

Follow-Up Letter to Governor Kaine for Washington Pardon

Jeffrey Franklin Washington authorizes an Advocate...

Unable to bring in to the jail any paperwork during the prayer time and pardon process discussions, this letter was mailed within 30 minutes of leaving the Greenville Correctional Facility at the nearby Jarratt, Virginia Post Office.

It is a letter prepared on Thursday, 25 September 2008 addressed to Governor Tim Kaine from Inmate Jeff Washington authorizing an advocate to prepare and present a Petition for Pardon for Washington.

Key paragraphs are:

I believe an Absolute Pardon is warranted, yet conversation between Mr. Manship and the Deputy Secretary of the Commonwealth Bernie Henderson on Monday, 15 September suggested the course of seeking a Conditional Pardon. The Conditional Pardon is based on
(1) my 14 years of Good Behavior, (2) a Rehabilitation Plan for me to comply with upon your granting the Conditional Pardon, and (3) is justified by two Forensic Lab Evidence letters that proves I did not fire the murder weapon while a Prosecution Witness against me did fire a gun.

Two Forensic Lab letters that prove my innocence were never seen by the Jury, ~ or me!

Williamsburg based National Center for State Courts: Pardon info

After attending a Family Foundation of Virginia Pastors' Conference in Williamsburg, and appearing ever so slightly the next morning in the Today Show aired from the Colonial Capital of Williamsburg where great Governors such as Thomas Nelson, Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, and James Monroe served, a visit was made to the National Center for State Courts across from Bicentennial Park and beside the Marshall-Wythe School of Law of William and Mary University.

No Love Lost between Police and Prosecutor in Winchester, yet by lies LIVES lost... & forced All-Fraud "Alford Plea"

CLICK on the image to enlarge for ease of reading.

Married Prosecutor Paul Thomson "sleeps" or "commits adultery" with Court transcriber Lanell Hockman Berger...

...and she then alters the court transcript, leaving out witness Amy Ruble at the murder scene of Carlos Marshall,...

...and altering the transcript text in how many other ways to help her lover Thomson's case?

When Thomson "dumps" her some time later, in 1999, she is the subject of a Missing Persons report in February 17, 1999, and Prosecutor Paul Thomson is a "suspect" at the Police Station...

...once Thomson's name comes up for the possible crime related to the Missing Person issue of Lanell, an informant tells SGT. Bush of the Police Department who tells Detective Sobonya, that Prosecutor Thomson is
"skimming drug money"

Soon Police Chief Reynolds, Deputy Police Chief Hildebrand, Investigator Prinz, City Manager Daley, and City Attorney Robinette, if not others meet to discuss this corruption crisis.

A decision is made on 17 February 1999, that because Paul Thomson is protected from Police Arrest as a Constitutional Officer in his elected servant post as Commonwealth Attorney, the FBI must be contacted.

On 2 September 2008, after years supposedly "investigating", the FBI sent a letter to the father of Jeff Washington, Franklin Washington saying they did not agree there was evidence of corruption in the Courts or Commonwealth Attorney office of Winchester.

Jeff Washington was railroaded by Policeman Sobonya and Prosecutor Thomson into a 70 year Jail sentence when Jeff was Not Guilty of the murder but forced to take an Alford Plea on 28 February 1995 or "die in the electric chair" as his defense attorney John Prosser kept brow-beating Jeff by saying over and over and over again.

If you knew there was Forensic evidence to exonerate you and yet YOUR defense attorney was threatening YOU with a Death Sentence, how much would YOU trust your attorney to defend YOU?

Better to take the forced and fraudulent Alford Plea, and pray someday for an honest advocate to advance your case, and advance the Cause of Liberty and Justice for All!

The ONLY time Jeff Washington was allowed to SPEAK was at the 10 April 1995 Sentencing Hearing, and the transcript shows that Jeff Washington CONTINUES TO ASSERT HE IS INNOCENT of the murder of Carlos Marshall.

Prosecutor Thomson continues to badger Jeff Washington into "admitting" he murdered Carlos Marshall (in accordance with the All-Fraud Alford Plea), but Jeff Washington continues to say that he did NOT shoot the gun and so did NOT murder Carlos Marshall.

The Prosecutor and the Judge were ANGRY at Jeff Washington for NOT "playing their little game" of a false admission of Guilty with the Alford Plea, so the judge punished Jeff harshly.

Oh, by the way, Judge Wetzel who sentenced Jeff Washington to 70 years in Jail for crimes he did NOT commit, was reported in one newspaper as saying IN COURT that Jeff Washington was like HITLER!

And Wetzel is to be considered as a good or even an "Un-BIASED" Judge?

"There are none so blind as those who refuse to see."

Senator Webb... Corruption in the Courts Causes Crisis in Jails

Corruption in the Courts

Causes Crisis

in American Jails,

and

Crisis in our Families!

Contact Senator Webb to ask him to ask Governor Kaine to PARDON

Jeff Washington !

http://webb.senate.gov/contact/http://webb.senate.gov/contact/

FBI Quits search for Justice, Ignored Senator Webb 3 times

Letter to Former Governor Wilder who Pardoned Walter Snyder, 7 years Falsely Jailed, framed by Alexandria Police

Click on the Image of the Letter to Enlarge for Ease of Reading.

THE SMOKING GUN: Forensic Misconduct by Winchester Police, Legal Malpractice by Prosecutor and Defense Attorney

Please CLICK on the image to enlarge it so you may more easily read and study the two Forensic Laboratory Test Results that show Jeffery Washington did NOT have ANY Gun Shot Residue, and PROSECUTION WITNESS John Doleman DID HAVE GUN SHOT RESIDUE in 7 of 10 categories still many months later.

Why did Winchester Police "Investigator" Sobonya abort the rest of the tests of the other 7 suspects on 8 September 1994 after the murder on 16 August 1994, after he was told of NEGATIVE Gun Shot Residue Test on Jeffery Franklin Washington by the Virginia State Forensic Lab in Richmond?

Maybe to prevent the real gunman from being shown from one of the other seven suspects in the timely first test?

Why did "Investigator" Sobonya EXCLUDE the Gun Shot Residue Kit from Washington on the second test done by the contracted Private Forensic Laboratory, Micron, inc. of Wilmington, Delaware?

Maybe to undermine the test from being comprehensive of all eight suspects, and therefore to give the Prosecutor the "legal-ese" or "lawyer-language" of the test being "inconclusive"?

Why did the prosecutor, Commonwealth Attorney Paul Thomson, seeing this very CLEAR Forensic Testing Evidence not change his primary or even ONLY suspect to John Paul Doleman?

Why did Winchester prosecutor Paul Thomson join the Winchester Police in the "Frame-Up" of the NOT GUILTY Jeffery Franklin Washington?

Might the fact that John Paul Doleman was a "blood relative" to the wife of the OTHER Police Detective in this case, James Bailous, have any bearing on why Doleman was NOT prosecuted as the Gunman of murder victim Carlos Marshall?

Why would any competent Defense Attorney not see he could create in the minds of a JURY the fact there is at least some PROBABLE DOUBT that his client Jeffery Franklin Washington was NOT THE GUNMAN because the Forensic Tests proved he did NOT fire any gun, and the Forensic Tests showed that PROSECUTION WITNESS John Doleman did fire a gun, very likely the murder weapon?

Why did the Defense Attorney accept, even "parrot" the Prosecution lawyer language that the Gun Shot Residue tests by recognized Forensic Labs were "inconclusive"?

Why instead did the Defense Attorney for first two days of the JURY TRIAL "brow-beat" his client Jeffery Franklin Washington and his mother Christine and his father Franklin to force the family to accept an Alford Plea, that is NOT GUILTY, yet accept a prison sentence rather suffer a Death Sentence?

What would YOU do if you saw your Defense Attorney abandon YOU?

Might you ALSO take an Alford Plea, and PRAY that someday an honest attorney and a fair justice system would properly process your Appeal, your appeal for Liberty and Justice?

Failing the justice system working properly to advance the cause of Justice, now the ONLY HOPE FOR JUSTICE is a PARDON from the Governor of Virginia, Tim Kaine !

At Winchester Hob-Nob, Letter to Governor Kaine handed to Atty Gen Bob McDonnell, case discussed with Senator Vogel

At the Friday night Winchester Hob-Nob in the Valley at the new Shenandoah University Health Sciences building, the Patriots' Day Letter to Governor Kaine handed to Atty Gen Bob McDonnell, asking the Attorney General to "weigh in" to ask Governor Tim Kaine to grant an Absolute Pardon to Army Veteran Jeffery Franklin Washington on Constitution Day, Wednesday, 17 September 2008, in the Virginia Capitol designed by Jefferson, in front of the statue of George Washington.

What a great way to honor a great day, to return Liberty on Constitution Day to an Army Veteran falsely jailed for 14 years!

Washington Liberty on Constitution Day, by Gov. Kaine Pardon, Patrick Henry principles and Governor Gilmore...

Washington Liberty on Constitution Day, by Governor Kaine Pardon?

What did Governor Wilder do?

What would Governor Patrick Henry do?

Washington College of Law INNOCENCE PROJECT intake form...

NOTE: "Served 20 years in Maryland prison due to forensic misconduct."

Jeff Washington has served 14 years in Virginia due to forensic misconduct by Winchester Police Detective David Sobonya, aided and abetted by prosecutor Paul Thomson, and defense attorney, John Prosser.

On Wednesday, 10 September 2008, the 19 page Intake Form was completed and hand delivered to the INNOCENCE PROJECT of the Mid-Atlantic at the Washington College of Law of American University, in Washington, D.C.

This is one page of the document.

CLICK on the image to enlarge to make it easier to read.

If you would like a PDF copy of this document, please email your request to: JeffWashington@NoJuryNoJustice.US.

Thank you.

Pardon Letter to Secretary of the Commonwealth Hanley for Gov. Kaine

In the September 5th Northern Virginia Daily article by Alex Bridges, Governor Kaine's spokesman was quoted:

Any letter seeking a pardon from the governor would have to go to the office of the secretary of the commonwealth, according to Kaine spokesman Gordon Hickey. Earlier this week, Hickey said the office had not received the letter.


OK, so here is the letter to the Secretary of the Commonwealth, hand delivered to the 4th Floor reception area in the Patrick Henry Building, into the hand of Mrs. Patricia Tucker at about 3:20 pm, on Tuesday, 9 September 2008.

Mrs. Tucker said she no longer handles pardons, that Gregg Hennock (?sp) handles them now.

Reporter Manship said, "Oh I recognize that name, it was on your voice mail message when I called the phone number from the website. I called you and called him, last Friday, but I have not received a call-back from either of you... yet."

Reporter Manship also said, "Please give this copy to Mr. Hennock, and this copy to Secretary of the Commonwealth Katherine Hanley, and this copy I will deliver myself to the Governor's office. Thank you."

Pardon Letter to Secretary of the Commonwealth Hanley for Gov. Kaine, pages 2-4

Governor Kaine Press Release on More EFFICIENT Virginia Government... Due Process in Courts not always "Efficient", but a proper Pardon is Efficient..

Northern Virginia Daily reports on Pardon request to Gov. Kaine

http://www.nvdaily.com/news/301609655733617.bsp

Friday, September 5, 2008
Father receives support in quest to have son freed

Advocate of defendant in 1994 slaying sends letter to Kaine seeking pardon

By Alex Bridges -- Daily Staff Writer

WINCHESTER — After years of fighting his son's murder conviction alone, Franklin Washington may now have allies.

James Renwick Manship Sr. sent a letter this week to the office of Gov. Timothy M. Kaine seeking a pardon for Jeffrey Washington, who is serving a 70-year prison sentence for the 1994 shooting death of Carlos Marshall in Winchester.

In his letter, Manship states he learned about Washington's case after seeing the father ask a judge on Aug. 22 to recuse himself from hearing a lawsuit filed against the court reporter employed during his son's trial.

... (continued)

In the request, Manship cites former Gov. L. Douglas Wilder's pardoning of Walter Snyder when DNA evidence cleared him of a rape for which he served seven years in prison.

Manship now wants Kaine to follow Wilder's example.

"I ask you to be wise like Wilder and pardon [Jeff] Washington, a man wrongly accused who maintains his innocence and only under duress by his defense attorney, accepted an Alford plea," Manship states.

... (continued)

RICO Violations Letter to U.S. Attorney for Western District of Virginia

The United States Attorney's Office
Western District of Virginia

US Attorney














Assistant US Attorneys

Might this man's background be good for him to lead the investigation into the Racketeering and Influenced Corrupt Organizations law violations by former Commonwealth Attorney Paul Thomson, Winchester Police Detectives David Sobonya and James Bailous, and possibly also former Defense Attorney, now Circuit Court judge John Prosser?

Harrisonburg, Virginia
Jeb Terrien
Assistant United States Attorney
Mr. Terrien graduated with a B.S. in History from the University of Virginia in 1994. He graduated cum laude from Tulane University Law School, receiving his J.D. in 1997, where he served as a senior board member of the Tulane Maritime Law Journal.

From 1998 to 2004 he prosecuted violations of Virginia criminal law, serving as both an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney and Assistant Attorney General. He began his career as an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney in Accomack County, Virginia, then worked for the Virginia Attorney General in the Financial Investigations and Money Laundering Unit in Richmond. From 2002 to 2004 he operated the Regional Drug Prosecutor’s office that covered Halifax, Charlotte, and Campbell counties and also served as a Special Assistant United States Attorney.

In 2004 he was sworn in as an Assistant United States Attorney and worked in the Northern District of West Virginia, and the Southern District of Ohio before coming to the Western District of Virginia in 2008.