Man Convicted at Trial of Armed Robbery, Burglary from 2022 Home Invasion Following Co-defendant’s Guilty Plea to Staging Robbery at Acquaintance’s Residence

NORFOLK, Va. — Deangelo Javonta Nixon, 36, was convicted at a bench trial last month of armed robbery, using a firearm in the commission that felony, and armed burglary after he and co-defendant De'Shawn Talajuwon Johnson planned and enacted the robbery of an acquaintance of Mr. Johnson’s at the victim’s residence in 2022. Mr. Johnson pleaded guilty to armed robbery and statutory burglary following his arrest and was sentenced in 2023 to serve 10 years in prison. Information from Mr. Johnson’s cell phone led police to later identify Mr. Nixon, whom the victim did not know and wore a mask during the robbery.

On Aug. 17, 2022, the victim invited Mr. Johnson to his residence. When Mr. Johnson arrived, he and the victim went to a room in the back. There, Mr. Johnson said that he was going outside to smoke a cigarette. The victim went to watch Mr. Johnson because he knew him to only use vapes, and he saw Mr. Johnson return with two individuals — one of whom was Mr. Nixon — wearing ski masks. When the victim opened the front door, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Nixon, and the third individual entered the victim’s residence, Mr. Nixon brandished a firearm, and the third individual forced the victim onto the floor, held a gun to his head, and threatened to kill him if he spoke. Mr. Johnson, Mr. Nixon, and the third individual then stole several of the victim’s belongings, including a handgun, a cell phone, a tablet, and three pairs of Jordan shoes. They also attempted to take items from the victim’s person, but he hid them underneath his body. The victim saw Mr. Nixon remove his ski mask but did not recognize him.

The victim reported the crime to Norfolk Police and initially was only able to identify Mr. Johnson as a suspect. Norfolk Police swore out warrants for Mr. Johnson’s arrest, and Mr. Johnson was arrested at his Portsmouth residence on Aug. 26, 2022. A search warrant was executed on Mr. Johnson’s home, and some of the victim’s stolen property was recovered, including several cards with the victim’s name on them. After being read his legal rights, Mr. Johnson confessed to his role in the robbery.

Mr. Johnson, 27, entered an agreement in June 2023 to plead guilty to armed robbery and statutory burglary and to face an active sentence of up to 12 years in prison. Judge Robert B. Rigney accepted his plea agreement and, in August 2023, having heard arguments from the Commonwealth and the defense, sentenced Mr. Johnson to serve 10 years in prison with an additional five years suspended on the conditions that he have no contact with the victim, pay restitution to the victim, and complete five years of uniform good behavior after his release.

During the search of Mr. Johnson’s home, the police seized his cell phone and later served a search warrant to seize the contents of the phone, which enabled them to identify Mr. Nixon. The police swore out warrants against Mr. Nixon in February 2023, and in January 2024, Chesapeake Police officers located and arrested Mr. Nixon.

On Nov. 5, 2025, Mr. Nixon pleaded not guilty to his charges and requested to be tried by a judge. After hearing the evidence, which included the victim’s ability to identify Mr. Nixon as one of the people who robbed him, Judge Robert B. Rigney found Mr. Nixon guilty of armed robbery, using a firearm in the commission of robbery, and armed burglary with an intent to commit robbery. Mr. Nixon’s sentencing hearing is set for March 13, 2026.

“The wheels of justice sometimes turn slowly, but they never stop,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi. “Mr. Nixon was able to evade responsibility for a time, but thanks to hard work from the Norfolk Police, Mr. Nixon will now be accountable for this dangerous crime. I express my appreciation to the police and to the victim for coming forward and testifying. My office and I will continue to devote our resources to the prosecution of individuals who endanger the people in our city.”

Senior Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Stephanie G. Johnson prosecuted Mr. Nixon’s case, Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Madeline C. Woodruff (now of the Chesapeake Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office) prosecuted Mr. Johnson’s case in 2023, and Norfolk Police Detective Alexander R. Kay led the investigation.

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Aug. 11, 2023

Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Staging Armed Robbery of Norfolk Acquaintance’s Home in 2022

NORFOLK, Va. – Today, 27-year-old De'Shawn Talajuwon Johnson was sentenced in Norfolk Circuit Court to an active 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to armed robbery and statutory burglary from a 2022 home invasion.

On Aug. 17, 2022, the victim invited Mr. Johnson to his residence. When Mr. Johnson arrived, the two went toward the back of the home to a room where Mr. Johnson asked the victim for a cigarette despite knowing the victim did not smoke. When Mr. Johnson went back toward the front door saying he was going to get cigarettes, the victim followed. Mr. Johnson then opened the front door and let two other people brandishing firearms into the home. One of the men forced the victim onto the floor, held a gun to his head, and threatened to kill him if he spoke. Mr. Johnson and the two others then stole several of the victim’s belongings, including a handgun, a cell phone, a tablet, and three pairs of Jordan shoes.

The victim reported the home invasion to Norfolk Police and was only able to identify Mr. Johnson as a suspect. Norfolk Police swore out warrants for Mr. Johnson’s arrest, and Mr. Johnson was arrested at his Portsmouth residence on Aug. 26, 2022. A search warrant was executed on Mr. Johnson’s home, and some of the victim’s stolen property was recovered, including several cards with the victim’s name on them. After being provided his legal rights, Mr. Johnson confessed to his role in the robbery.

Mr. Johnson pleaded guilty on June 12, 2023, to armed robbery and statutory burglary, and Judge Robert B. Rigney accepted his plea. On Friday, Judge Rigney sentenced Mr. Johnson to 10 active years in prison, with an additional five years suspended on the conditions that he have no contact with the victim, that he pay restitution to the victim, and that he complete five years of uniform good behavior.

“Armed home invasions are extremely dangerous and often lead to the death or injury of the victim, the perpetrator, or both,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi. “Mr. Johnson set off a dangerous situation, and we are lucky the victim was not hurt. Mr. Johnson has earned a ten-year sentence for what he did.”

Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Madeline C. Woodruff prosecuted Mr. Johnson’s case on behalf of the Commonwealth.

If you have information regarding the other individuals involved in this crime, please call the Norfolk Police Homicide Section at 757-664-7023, contact Norfolk Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP, or submit a tip through the P3 Tips app.

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