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NORTHERN EDITION

JUNE 18-24, 2009 "Graduation Day" 25 CENTS Newsstand Price Volume XXIII, NO. 24 Supervisors Approve New Office Building Herrity says neighbors’ concerns over project have been resolved.

By Bonnie Hobbs would adversely affect their pri- Centre View vacy and property values, as well as local traffic. t’s taken awhile to appease But on June 1, Supervisor Pat the neighbors and smooth Herrity (R-Springfield), who made Iout all of the wrinkles in the the motion for approval, said plan, but an office building things are fine now. “We worked proposed for the Fairfax Center through most of those issues with area is now cleared for construc- the community and, at the end, tion. The Fairfax County Board of there wasn’t any opposition.” Supervisors gave it the go-ahead Earmarked for 11717 Lee High- at its June 1 meeting. way, near Robertson Farms Circle Photo by Louise Krafft/Centre View Earlier this year, however, mem- and the Lee Plaza shopping cen- Chantilly High principal James Kacur and Senior Class President Stephanie Jones bers of the nearby Estates at ter, the new structure will be three lead the processional onto the floor of the Patriot Center on Monday, June 15. Leewood and Robertson Farms stories and 30,000 square feet. It’ll communities opposed 11-7 Asso- also be a green building with Leading to the Future ciates LLC’s quest to construct this LEEDS (Leadership in Energy and building along Route 29, not far Environmental Design) silver cer from their homes. They argued that the building and its lighting See Thumbs Up, Page 19 A Year and a Day in Prison for Matt Megale By Bonnie Hobbs Centre View “He’s gotten a cold dose of riends and family of Vir- F ginia Run’s Matt Megale, reality in jail.” 18, were hoping he’d re- ceive the same leniency shown — Fred Sinclair, recently to Centreville heroin-dis- defense attorney tributors Tayler Gibson and Anna tion programs. Megale, though, Torrian Pace, senior class vice presi- Richter. On May 29 in U.S. District still has a long way to go, and for dent, receives the 2009 Charger Award. Court in Alexandria, they were sentenced to 30 and 60 days in jail, that reason, he was sentenced Fri- respectively. day in federal court to a year and But both cooperated with the a day in prison. prosecution early in the investiga- Even that amount of time was Senior Class tion of those involved in the drug less than the 15-21 months incar- President ring, and they’re already deep into ceration sought by Assistant U.S. Stephanie Jones. their substance-abuse rehabilita- See Heroin, Page 2

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www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Centre View North ❖ June 18-24, 2009 ❖ 1 •GRI, Graduate Realtors Institute News •CRS, Certified Residential Specialist •ABR, Accredited Buyers Representative •Associate Broker •CDPE, Certified Distressed Property Expert Heroin Dealing Yields Prison Time HE’S EARNED THEM… From Page 1 heroin. He said Megale’s local source overdosed and Happy YOU DESERVE THEM! District Attorney Erik Barnett. And when all is said died, but Megale and two others still pooled their ther’ and done, there’s still no guarantee Megale will be money to buy heroin and share it among themselves. His commitment to education Fa s able to beat his own addiction and stay on the He also noted that Megale didn’t drive, so others is but one of the many reasons Day straight and narrow. drove him to the District for the purchases. he is the leader in the “Only you can keep yourself clean,” U.S. District Regarding Megale’s continuing to deal heroin af- Centreville Marketplace. It Court Judge Leonie Brinkema warned him. ter becoming his client, Sinclair said, “Frankly, he let On March 24, Megale pleaded guilty to distribut- me down, and his parents and I believed he should gives him an advantage, which ing heroin to a person under 21. He also acknowl- sit in the Alexandria jail and consider his misdeeds.” means you have an advantage. edged that, from January 2008 through Jan. 29 of Earlier, said Sinclair, Megale’s parents sent him to an DISCOVER THE CERTIFIED this year, he distributed heroin on a regular basis. expensive treatment facility which was for behavior DISTRESSED Four people died from heroin overdoses as a re- modification, but “didn’t treat his addiction. So when PROPERTY DISTINCT ADVANTAGE! EXPERT© sult of the drug ring’s actions. One was Alicia Lannes, he came out, he used Oxycodone and heroin.” 19, of Centreville. Yet her death failed to deter any Sinclair said Megale completed a 10-week, sub- Experience…the Difference! of the dealers from getting other young men and stance-abuse course in jail, obtained his GED and was See Complete School Information and women hooked on heroin. a jail trustee. “There’s a redemptive quality to him,” “On March 8, 2008, three days after Alicia Lannes said the attorney. “At 14, he switched peers, nosedived VIRTUAL TOUR at www.seln4u.com died, the defendant sold heroin to a girl who, like and went downhill.” Sinclair then asked Judge $1,200,000 $999,999 him, was 17,” said Barnett at Megale’s June 12 sen- Brinkema to “temper justice with mercy” and sen- VIRGINIA VIRGINIA tencing. “She overdosed, was hospitalized and sur- tence Megale to just 12 months and a day. RUN RUN The Ridings Stunning! vived — and she and her mother are in the court- He said Megale’s parents want to move to New York, at Virginia Elegant room today. She overdosed because she ingested where their son would be placed into a Catholic fa- Run. Stun- home in cility, Hope House, “to address his addiction and the ning estate sought-after heroin after getting it from the defendant.” home. 4 The Ridings Barnett said that, by that time — and throughout psychological problems that led to it. It’s a one-year, Levels. 3-Car Garage. Filled with natural at Virginia Run. Well-situated on that summer — Megale had become a “reliable” inpatient treatment, so he won’t begin his mainstream Light. Bright and Open floor plan. 7,000 private, prof. landscaped .85 acre cul- life until that’s done.” square feet. 6 BR, 5.5 BA. Gourmet de-sac lot. Beautifully appointed home heroin dealer. The argument’s been made, said Kitchen. Sun Rm. Morning Rm. Study. with study, dramatic 2-story FR, Barnett, that the 17-year-old’s overdose was “her “There’s a job waiting for him, and community col- Soaring 2-story FR. Master suite Sunroom, Gourmet Kitchen. fault,” because she chose to use heroin of her own, lege,” added Sinclair. “so plans are afoot to turn w/sitting rm & lux. BA. 4th lvl. loft/BR Sumptuous master suite w/3-sided FP Matthew’s life around, but the only one who can do w/private BA. Side Conservancy. Fin. & lux BA. Gleaming Hdwd floors. Fin. free will. Bsmnt. Rear Deck & huge backyard walk-out basement & much more! “But Mr. Megale sold heroin to an immature and it is Matthew. Beginning at age 14, he used mari- backing to trees. FX7081880 FX7016721 unstable drug addict, and we can’t excuse that con- juana, then ecstasy, cocaine and heroin. [But] he’s $719,900 $735,000 duct,” said the prosecutor. “True, he stayed with her, gotten a cold dose of reality in jail.” ARLINGTON VIRGINIA provided support and called 911 — but he also pro- Featured RUN Stunning vided the dangerous situation [in the first place].” MEGALE THEN STOOD and addressed the court. on Georgian “Poor choices led me to this point,” he said. “It’s hurt HGTV! Newport Great Deluxe! FURTHERMORE, he said, Megale’s already been not only myself, but the ones closest to me, my fam- Location! Over 1/2 “rewarded” for helping the girl. Said Barnett: “The ily — especially my little sister and my mother. I take Minutes to D.C. and Metro! acre lot backing to acres of Park- government had the ability last year to ask the court full responsibility and I will overcome this, one way Home has been professionally land! Gracious floor plan with 5 remodeled and repainted. BR, 3 full BA on upper lvl. 5th BR to transfer Mr. Megale to a mandatory, 20-year mini- or another.” Hardwood floors. 2-car detached w/private BA & back staircase mum [sentencing status] and we did not.” Brinkema said the most difficult part of her job is garage. Extended driveway. Lots from main lvl. Large, private deck. And once again, someone’s overdose did nothing sentencing young offenders. “Do you give them a hard of storage space. Rear deck. Eat in Kit. w/new appliances. Fenced yard. Immaculate. You’ll Newly finished, gleaming hdwd to prevent Megale from using and distributing hit, the first time, or give them a break,” she asked. love this one! flrs. Side-Load Garage. heroin. Authorities say that, after turning 18 in Janu- She then spoke directly to Megale. “The fact that you AR6985234 FX7056973 ary — thus becoming liable for prosecution as an continued to be involved in heroin after the investi- $825,000 $454,900 adult — he continued selling heroin to five more gation began and your parents had hired you an at- VIRGINIA ROCKY RUN RUN people under age 21. torney — and you continued to associate with these Private 1- Lovely, In a Jan. 30 affidavit, FBI Special Agent Bryan people and use drugs — is an indicator that the les- acre lot! son hasn’t been learned,” said Brinkema. Backs to upgraded 5 Wilhite wrote that, on Jan. 24, a person directed by trees. BR, 3 BA law enforcement gave Megale $80 to purchase However, she also noted the number of letters she’d Heated in- home. heroin for him, which Megale did, from his Wash- received on Megale’s behalf, how his problems had ground pool! Stunning home with Bright & airy 2-story LR w/vaulted elegant details throughout. ington, D.C., supplier. adversely affected his mother’s health and that his ceiling. Gracious room sizes. Tons Hardwood floors. Over 4,500 sq. Afterward, authorities stopped their vehicle and wheelchair-bound sister “depends upon” him. The ft. FR w/FP and built-in book- of storage space! Updated kit. shelves. Sep LR, DR & mn lvl Master Suite w/walk-in closet & found Megale in possession of that heroin. Wilhite judge was also pleased with how well he’d behaved study. Huge master suite w/lux. full BA. Finished walk-out wrote that Megale actually admitted purchasing in jail. “So I’m going to take a chance on you,” said BA. Fin. bsmnt w/full BA, Rec rm & Den/BR. Custom murals/faux basement. Rear deck. Corner lot $200 worth of heroin that day from the same source Brinkema. “But ultimately, it’s on your shoulders.” painting throughout. w/large fenced backyard. NO HOA. from which he’d bought heroin on “at least three She then imposed a sentence of one year and one FX6902907 FX7026817 prior occasions” in January. day, plus credit for time already served, and placed “When he continued to pool money with people Megale on six years supervised release. She also ad- Call Spencer Today. . .it will be and sell heroin in 2009, he knew the government vised him that she’ll maintain jurisdiction over his the best move you ever make! was investigating him — and yet he continued,” said probation, so “If you get in trouble in New York, you’ll Barnett. “Nothing really stopped him.” That’s why, come back to this court. That means no violations of 703-266-SALE he said, the best place for Megale has been the Alex- law, including traffic laws.” andria jail, where he’s been incarcerated since Janu- Megale must remain drug-free, submit to regular DON’T SETTLE FOR BUY OR SELL WITH ME— ary. drug testing and complete whatever drug and men- LESS THAN THE BEST! USE THIS TRUCK FOR “He filled the void created by the arrests of [now- tal-health treatment his probation officer recom- convicted heroin dealers] Quickly, Nash, Schreider mends. And he must maintain full-time education or and Gibson and became a regular dealer,” said employment because, Brinkema told him, “You need Spencer FREE! Barnett. He said authorities arrested Megale in Janu- lots of structure in your life for the next few years.” ary because “We could not delay and allow another She also said she’d recommend he be incarcerated young person to suffer — or to have Mr. Megale, at in the Federal Correctional Institution camp in Long & Foster Realtors age 18, clearly face a 20-year, mandatory-minimum Cumberland, Md., so he could participate in its 50- sentence.” hour drug-treatment program. Afterward, outside the We’re .com! But Defense Attorney Fred Sinclair said Megale courtroom, Sinclair said, “I got what I asked for; I was a victim, too, because he was also addicted to was quite happy with the result.” 2 ❖ Centre View North ❖ June 18-24, 2009 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Roundups News

Newsome Sentenced to Jail A Chantilly man has been convicted of assault by mob. He is ‘Jar’ Wins Animation Award Ross Aristotle Newsome, 19, of 14064 Eagle Chase Circle. In an April 29 affidavit robbery, Fairfax County Police Det. Eric Deane detailed the case against him. Chantilly student Deane wrote that on March 28, around 10:20 p.m., a male was recognized at Free4All walking to his home through an apartment-complex parking lot at Route 50 and Majestic Lane in Greenbriar when the incident Film and Animation occurred. According to the detective, “Several young males ap- proached him, beat him and stole his personal belongings.” High School Festival. The subsequent police investigation developed Newsome as a suspect, and on April 23, he was charged with robbery and as- sault by mob. He appeared on June 8 in General District Court, and at that time, the robbery offense was dropped. Judge Michael tudents at Chantilly High don’t just excel in Cassidy then found him guilty of the assault and sentenced him Sacademics and athletics, they’re also doing to 20 days in jail (360 days with 340 suspended. Newsome was great things in fine arts. And on May 22, se- also ordered to pay $100 restitution to the victim. nior Paolo Torrico won the People’s Choice award at the Free4All Film and Animation High School Festi- val. Gambling Case to Grand Jury “I started doing animation when I was 13,” said The criminal case against a Fairfax Center man is moving for- Torrico. “Me and my friend did Claymation with a ward in the justice system. He is Michael G. Cox, 47, of 4132 camera and stop motion. Then I got Flash software Fountainside Lane, Apt. 301, in Fairfax, and he’s accused of con- to make animation and started exploring with it ducting an illegal gambling operation. when I was 14 and taught myself how to use it.” A detective with the Fairfax County police Special Investiga- Held at Fairfax High, this third annual festival tions, Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit explained the case showcased works by local, aspiring filmmakers and against him in a Nov. 12 affidavit. He stated that, acting in an animators. Sponsors are the Professional Graphics undercover capacity, he placed illegal sports bets with Cox from Studio at the Fairfax Academy for Communications May 20, 2008 through Nov. 9, 2008. and the Arts, in partnership with the MHzNetworks Wrote the detective: “[I] placed over 180 illegal sports bets on International Shorties Film and Animation Award professional football and professional baseball with Cox. The il- Competition. legal sports bets totaled over $40,000.” Police arrested Cox on Torrico entered because “My computer graphics Nov. 12, 2008, and he appeared in General District Court last teacher last year, Ms. Gail Weyant, asked me to; she Wednesday, June 10. At that time, Judge Lisa Mayne sent his said, ‘I think you can do it — you might be able to charge to the grand jury for possible indictment. win.’” So he entered his creation called “Jar,” which Photo by Bonnie Hobbs/Centre View is about 4 minutes long. Award-winner Paolo Torrico “It’s a funny short about a man who’s hungry and Pears Enters Guilty Pleas can’t find food in his fridge,” said Torrico. “He finds attending the festival. I was excited and happy to Believing that a former employee of a Vienna gym used other a jar of pickles, but can’t open it. So he goes through win it.” people’s personal information to try to pay his rent and other a bunch of different things — different tools, etc. — Torrico plans to attend NOVA for two years and bills in December 2008, Fairfax County police arrested a Fairfax to open it. In the end, he opens it but, as he reaches then transfer to an art school. “I want to get my tra- Corner man. He is Jason Pears of 4245 Summit Corner Drive, No. for one of the pickles, he realizes they’ve expired.” ditional art skills down, first, and then learn the new 345, in Fairfax. On May 26 in Circuit Court, he pleaded guilty to He said he thought he had a chance of winning an animation software,” he said. “I want to have a ca- one count of identity theft and two counts of credit-card fraud. award, “although the competition was tough. I won reer involving art or animation.” Judge Randy Bellows then scheduled his sentencing for Sept. 4. the People’s Choice award — voted on by the people — Bonnie Hobbs Suspended Sentence for Worthy In September 2008, Fairfax County police charged a Centreville Student Artist’s True Fish Story couple in connection with an escort service that defrauded and assaulted its clients. The charges were later dropped against the nnie Han, a freshman at Chantilly High female, but went forward against the male. Carl E. Worthy, 38, of A School, entered the 2009 Wildlife Forever The Meadows community, has been convicted. State-Fish Art Contest and was the official In each case involving the escort service, said police, the victim winner for Virginia ninth-graders. met the female escort at a local motel or hotel. But once money “My mom’s friend teaches art and told me about changed hands, the escort fled without providing her services. If the contest,” said Han. “I’ve been drawing about six the victim chased her, he was assaulted by the escort’s partner years and drew this in colored pencils and pastels.” th with an expandable baton. Now in its 11 year, the contest is part of the State- Police said that happened on Aug. 27, 2008, and charged Wor- Fish Art Project, which uses art to spark students’ thy with crimes including malicious wounding. The Nov. 17 grand imaginations while teaching them about fish and the jury indicted him on a reduced charge of unlawful wounding. need for conservation of aquatic resources. Students Then on May 26 in Circuit Court, he pleaded guilty to a misde- paint or draw their state fish in its natural habitat meanor charge of assault and battery, and Judge Marcus Will- and also write an essay describing the fish’s habitat, iams gave him a 12-month, suspended sentence. physical characteristics and behavior. When Han saw the other contest entries, she said, “I thought I had a chance, but I was nervous.” When Free Carseat Inspections she found out she won, “I screamed and jumped up Certified technicians from the Sully District Police Station will and down for 10 minutes.” perform free, child safety carseat inspections, Thursday, June 18 and June 25, from 5-8:30 p.m. at the station, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly. No appointment is necessary. But residents Photo by Bonnie Hobbs should install the child safety seats themselves so technicians may Centre View properly inspect and adjust them, as needed. Call 703-814-7000, Chantilly freshman ext. 5140 to confirm dates and times. Annie Han holds her award-winning draw- See Roundups, Page 6 ing of a brook trout. www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Centre View North ❖ June 18-24, 2009 ❖ 3 4 ❖ Centre View North ❖ June 18-24, 2009 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com News

Presenting to Mrs. Clark’s seventh-grade Life Science class is Christin Jolicoeur, an ecologist from Northern Virginia Soil & Water Conservation Distric