Virginia
Man charged with sex trafficking 15-year-old girl at Virginia Beach Oceanfront
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — A man accused of sex trafficking a 15-year-old girl at the Oceanfront in Virginia Beach has been arrested and charged with several crimes.
Johnny Banks, 30, was arrested and remains in jail, accused of sex trafficking the girl and several other related charges, according to federal prosecutors.
In July 2024, Virginia Beach police were notified that the missing teen from Charlotte, N.C. was being held against her will and forced to “sell her body.”
Authorities say she was advertised online and taken to hotels at the Oceanfront and in Suffolk.
After the arrest, prosecutors allege that Banks was heard on a jail call saying the police messed up “my pimpn.”
The indictment alleges that Banks texted the girl, saying, “lol [JANE DOE] if u think u bouta play with me think again” and then texted “I’ll really out smart u and have u floating in a creek.”
The victim reported that Banks assaulted her, strangled her, and threatened to kill her.
Last summer, WTKR interviewed another survivor who said she was also trafficked at the Oceanfront.
“I ended up falling asleep,” the survivor recounted. “I got woke up to a 9-millimeter being pointed on me and her (trafficker) basically telling me you need to get up and you need to take a shower and you need to put some makeup on you’re going to work.”
Samaritan House, a nonprofit that provides support to survivors, says they are the leading resource for housing and services for victims of human trafficking in Southeast Virginia.
They report that 26% of victims are minors and that Virginia ranks 15th in the U.S. for reported cases of human trafficking.
Meredith Williams, Samaritan House Crisis Services supervisor, said tourist areas can attract these kinds of crimes.
Williams emphasizes the need for vigilance, urging people to report any suspicious activity to authorities.
The WTKR News 3 Investigative Team remains committed to exposing the issue of human sex trafficking and raising awareness to help protect the most vulnerable in the community.
We reached out to the lawyer representing Banks and she said she couldn’t comment on the case.
Richmond Sheriff’s Candidate William Burnett on ‘Untold – A WTVR Podcast’
Virginia
What to know about inauguration-related events in Virginia this weekend – WTOP News
Virginia’s capital city will make way this weekend for a host of events related to the inauguration of Abigail Spanberger, who will become the first woman to serve as the state’s governor.
Richmond, Virginia, will make way this weekend for a host of events related to the inauguration of Abigail Spanberger, who will become the first woman to serve as the state’s governor.
Events are scheduled Friday through Sunday, some of which are open to the public and some of which are ticketed.
The theme of the weekend’s events is “United for Virginia’s Future,” a slogan which Spanberger’s team says reflects the deep pride and collective strength that will move the state forward.
Friday’s events
Made in Virginia Market, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., 17th Street Market (100 N 17th St., Richmond, Virginia)
The market is open to the public and will include performances by Pusha T, ELONCE, SynHERgi, Holy River and TeezySoDope.
More than 40 Virginia artisans, small businesses and food vendors will pack the market and offer a wide array of products, eats, art, games and more. Details are available on the Spanberger Inaugural Committee website.
Welcome reception, Friday evening, Virginia Museum of History and Culture
Tickets are required to attend the reception, which will be hosted by Spanberger and her husband, Virginia’s incoming first gentleman, Adam Spanberger.
Saturday’s events
Interfaith prayer breakfast, Saturday morning, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
Spanberger and her husband will host a breakfast ahead of the inauguration ceremony to bring together Virginians from different faith backgrounds. Admission to the event is by invitation only.
Inauguration ceremony, noon, Virginia State Capitol
The main event will be held at noon, outdoors on the South Portico of the state Capitol. During the historic ceremony, Spanberger, Lt. Gov.-elect Ghazala Hashmi and Attorney General-elect Jay Jones will be sworn in.
While the event is free, tickets were awarded by a lottery. Winners have been selected and notified. The ceremony will be livestreamed on WTOP.com when it begins.
Inaugural parade, following inauguration ceremony, Capitol Square in Richmond
More than 25 groups from across Virginia will march through Capitol Square in Richmond immediately following the inaugural ceremony. The parade is open to attendees of the ceremony.
A full list of parade participants is available on the Spanberger Inaugural Committee website.
Inaugural ball, doors open at 6:30 p.m., program begins 8:15 p.m., Richmond Main Street Station
Tickets are required to attend the inaugural ball, which will be hosted by the Spanbergers. The celebration will feature live performances, food and libations.
Sunday’s events
First gentleman’s breakfast, Sunday morning, Science Museum of Virginia
Pancakes are on the menu for Sunday morning’s breakfast, which is intended to allow incoming first gentleman Adam Spanberger to introduce himself to his fellow Virginians. Tickets are required to attend.
Executive Mansion open house, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Virginia Executive Mansion
Sunday’s open house at the Executive Mansion, as the name implies, is open to the public. However, entry into the governor’s residence is first come, first served.
Guests are invited to enter at the Capitol Square entrance.
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Virginia
Former NBA star arrested in Virginia on robbery, assault charges
FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. (7News) — Former NBA guard Delonte West was arrested last month in connection to an assault and robbery in Fairfax County, Virginia, according to police.
On Dec. 21 around 6:36 a.m., a person reported that they were assaulted and robbed by West, the Fairfax County Police Department said. Officers found him nearby, and he was arrested.
The 42-year-old faces charges of robbery and assault. Police did not give the exact amount of money that West stole, but confirmed it was less than $50.
He was released from jail on a $1,000 bond.
Delonte West, 40, was arrested in Fairfax County, Virginia, according to police on June 6, 2024. (Fairfax County Police Department)
This is not the first encounter that West had with Fairfax County police. In June 2024, West was arrested after a brief police chase, where officers said they had to administer Narcan.
SEE | Former NBA player Delonte West arrested after chase, suspected drug overdose in Virginia
At that time, he was issued a warrant for violation of conditions of release and charged with resisting arrest.
West, a Maryland native, was also at the center of a case in 2020 when he got into a fight with a friend after the two were kicked out of MGM.
The case gained attention after a Prince George’s County police officer recorded and allegedly posted a video of West in handcuffs after the fight.
READ | Md. cop suspended, accused of filming, posting former NBA player Delonte West in handcuffs
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While in the NBA, West played for the Boston Celtics, and the Seattle SuperSonics, who later relocated and were renamed the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Virginia
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