FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 12, 2016
Contact: Heather F. Williamson
Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office
20 East Market Street
Leesburg, VA 20176-2809
(703) 777-0242
JUDGE REVOKES SUSPENDED SENTENCE FOR DWI-MANSLAUGTER AFTER DEFENDANT CONTINUES TO DRINK AND DRIVE
SECOND PROBATION VIOLATION RESULTS IN NEARLY 16 YEAR PENITENTIARY TERM
LEESBURG, Virginia – January 29, 2016. Larry Duane Arnold, 37, appeared before Loudoun County Circuit Court after being charged with violating his probation for the second time.
In November 2003, Arnold was charged with Manslaughter and Hit & Run stemming from an incident in which he struck and killed Harold Blewitt III, who was driving scooter on Route 28 early one morning. Arnold, who was intoxicated with a blood alcohol level of .12 at the time, fled the scene after the collision and was apprehended shortly thereafter.
After pleading guilty to the two felonies, Arnold was sentenced in August 2004 to serve three years and eight months in the in the Virginia Department of Corrections. An additional 16 years and four months of suspended time was also imposed conditioned upon his good behavior upon release.
Arnold was released from incarceration in September 2007 to probation supervision. In 2011, Arnold was arrested and convicted of driving under the influence in Pennsylvania. In January 2012, Arnold returned to Loudoun County Circuit Court and conceded violating his probation. As a result, Arnold was court ordered to successfully complete the Detention and Diversion Center Programs, which are rehabilitation programs operated by the Virginia Department of Corrections.
In January 2015, Arnold again faced criminal charges in Pennsylvania and was convicted of assault, obstruction of justice, resisting arrest, and driving under the influence. Upon completion of his jail time, Arnold was extradited to Virginia to face his second probation violation hearing.
On January 29, 2016, Arnold, having again committed new crimes, conceded violating his probation and the balance of his suspended sentence was revoked in full. While Arnold’s exact release date has not yet been calculated, it is anticipated it will not be sooner than 2028.
“Despite efforts to curb Mr. Arnold’s addictions, his continued alcohol abuse placed the public in danger,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Jim Plowman. “There comes a time when a person’s behavior dictates their future. The Court clearly determined it was not willing to risk losing another innocent life at the hands of Mr. Arnold and incarceration was the only way to ensure that outcome.”
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