Man gets 18 years for holdup of ODU student

NORFOLK

A man was sentenced to 18 years in prison for an armed robbery of an Old Dominion University student in December.

Ty Keon Smith, 20, of Norfolk pointed a gun at the head of a student who was walking home from an exam, then demanded his laptop and car, according to court records. Smith pleaded guilty to robbery and use of a firearm in the Dec. 15 attack.

Circuit Court Judge Junius P. Fulton imposed a 15-year active sentence for robbery and a mandatory three-year sentence for the firearms offense.

Sentencing guidelines suggested a maximum sentence of six years and seven months, said Amanda Howie, spokeswoman for the Norfolk Commonwealth's Attorney's office. A co-defendant, Domineike Felder, 23, is scheduled for trial in November, Howie said. At least one other suspect has not been identified, according to court records.

University students have been victims of a series of high-profile, violent crimes on or near campus in the past year.

Crime levels near the campus have remained consistent, with an increase in assaults this year, according to crime statistics. In June, student Christopher Cummings was fatally shot at his off-campus housing. His roommate also was wounded. A shooter has not been charged.

University leaders have pledged tighter security.

According to a stipulation of facts filed with the court, an ODU student from New Jersey was walking to his car at about 8:45 p.m. on Dec. 15 after finishing an exam. His car was parked on the 2500 block of Bluestone Ave., near the football field.

A white SUV passed him and stopped as he walked along the sidewalk, court records show. Two men got out of the truck, and a third man, standing near a fence, approached him.

According to court records, Smith put a gun to the student's head and ordered him to the ground, then the young men pulled the student's backpack off and rifled through it, demanding his laptop.

They also took the student's wallet, cell phone and car keys, court records show. Smith then told the student to walk away. Smith warned the victim he would shoot him if he ran, court records state.

They tried to find the student's car by using his remote key but were unable to locate it. Court records show that the vehicle was within sight of the robbery.

The men drove off in the SUV.

Louis Hansen, (757) 446-2341, louis.hansen@pilotonline.com