Portsmouth man gets 3 years for gun possession

Posted to: Crime News Portsmouth
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By Janie Bryant
The Virginian-Pilot
© August 10, 2011

PORTSMOUTH

When Rodriquez Nixon stashed a gun before going into the courthouse in April, he picked the wrong hiding place and the wrong time.

Detective K.L. Gavin testified in court Tuesday that he and other members of the Police Department's gang suppression unit were walking to court when they saw Nixon standing near the entrance of the police chief's office.

Nixon looked suspicious, as if he were going into his shirt and putting something in his waistband, Gavin said.

Chief Edward G. Hargis had just been on the news, talking about a roundup of Bloods gang members.

Gavin said he recognized Nixon. Police had identified him as a member of the Nine Tech Bloods.

So the officers stopped Nixon and patted him down, recovering a semi-automatic gun. Police said he had stashed the gun in some bushes before going into the courthouse and was retrieving it when they saw him.

One trip to court had earned Nixon another.

On Tuesday, in connection with that incident, Nixon, 18, pleaded guilty to receiving a stolen weapon and possession of a weapon by a felon.

Circuit Judge Dean W. Sword Jr. sentenced him to serve three years in prison.

Gavin said after the hearing that he did not think Nixon knew he was near the police chief's office that day when he put the gun in the shrubs.

Those nearby bushes are now gone, the detective said.

Janie Bryant, (757) 446-2453, janie.bryant@pilotonline.com.

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3yrs and back with his dogs

Submitted by LKG78 on Wed, 08/10/2011 at 1:56 pm.

3yrs and back with his dogs (Bloods). If he is a known gang member additional charges should be filed . Trash like this needs to be emptied!

Gang Unit

Submitted by katrac on Fri, 08/12/2011 at 12:18 pm.

Get HAM, BH ! ! Gang members bewhere ! The "HALL-way is closing in !

you can't fix stupid

Submitted by dogpen on Wed, 08/10/2011 at 11:23 am.

Maybe in 3 years he will be able to understand that remark. Naw, you can't fix stupid.

I'm glad this guy is off the

Submitted by un3ek on Wed, 08/10/2011 at 10:09 am.

I'm glad this guy is off the streets. If anyone needed to be off the streets, it's this guy. He is dumb enough to bring a gun to court and hide it, it's just a matter of time until he is dumb enough to use it, if he hasn't already.

Good job Det. Gavin

Submitted by kalabe40516 on Wed, 08/10/2011 at 9:43 am.

Great job Detective Gavin, if more Ptown officers were as dilligent, eagle eyed, and observant as you P-Town would not have as much crime. The gangs in P-Town run loose like a pack of wolves. It's super duper cops like you that make a difference. Portsmouth is lucky to have such a Hero like you working with the young criminals. Yes Detective Gavin I said HERO, because you are a true Hero, not a Super Hero like Superman or Spiderman, they have super special powers. But you have the super special power of Justice on your side. And I am sure you weild your power of justice with Might and Mercy. You Detective Gavin are my personal Hero! If I was the victim of a crime I would want you as my personal Detective, solving the crime, Hero!

Gavin works incredibly hard

Submitted by L. Lawrence Gump Jr on Fri, 08/12/2011 at 7:48 pm.

Gavin works incredibly hard to get these gangs....excellent observation by him and that entire team

Here Here to Portsmouth PD Gang Suppression Unit...THE ELITE

They are like Seal Team Six of Portsmouth

IQ test

Submitted by bfoster35 on Wed, 08/10/2011 at 8:02 am.

Hmm, maybe there should be an IQ test or something when they join the gang.

Three years is a joke, he will be back on the streets and then be a respected gang member for having served time.

3 years

Submitted by KnowledgeAllah on Thu, 08/11/2011 at 12:31 am.

I agree that he was stupid for bringing the gun in that area point blank b.u.t he was smart enough to plead guilty to avoid doing 5-7 years possibly. I don't condone gangs b.u.t people make bad decisions in life and they pay for them don't write someone off because they joined a gang when kids lack guidance sometimes that's what happens. Instead of judging this young man how about we hope that he goes in there and comes out a changed person for the better.