About Me

 

Who I am

 

 

I have been proud to serve as your Chief Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney since February, 2011, and as Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney since May 1, 2008, when I began serving in the Commonwealth Attorney's Office for Rockbridge County and the City of Lexington. I have prosecuted a broad range of cases, from domestic violence to reckless driving by speed to the most serious felonies, such as robbery, drug distribution, attempted murder and malicious wounding, and felons in possession of guns. I have been the primary prosecutor in all cases involving rape and sexual assault, regardless of whether victims are adults or children. I have a successful track record in keeping sexual predators out of our neighborhoods, including securing the longest jury sentences in recent Rockbridge history in two separate cases where sexual predators offended children. 

 

Prior to my serving in the Rockbridge/Lexington Commonwealth Attorney's Office, I worked as an Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney in Appomattox County. Before I began my career as a prosecutor, I was a successful criminal defense attorney maintaining an office in Lynchburg. I am a 1998 graduate of the Washington and Lee University School of Law, where I served on the Moot Court Board as Mock Trial Administrator and Regional Competition Team Coach, and also served as an Honor Court Advocate. 
 

In addition to my work as a prosecutor, I am heavily involved in training law enforcement and fellow prosecutors. I regularly serve as a trainer for Advanced DUID through the Commonwealth Attorney's Services Council, where I am part of the Western Team. I train law enforcement officers at the Central Shenandoah Criminal Justice Training Academy, where I teach a variety of topics and where I assisted in developing an advanced drug investigation training program. I also teach the legal section for Crisis Intervention Team training, where law enforcement officers learn to adapt strategies to work with individuals suffering from a mental health crisis. 

 

I have served as the past president of the Rockbridge/Lexington Bar Association, and was formerly an adjunct professor at Central Virginia Community College in Lynchburg, where I taught legal research and criminal law. 

 

I am happily married to my wife, Anna Billias, who is a College Professor, and we are the proud parents of three beautiful children, aged 15, 5, and 4. We own a home in the southeast part of the County, and our school aged children attend County schools.

 

Why I should be your next Commonwealth's Attorney

 

First and foremost, I will continue the reputation of integrity and fairness that our office enjoys, and the commitment to public service demonstrated by our current Commonwealth's Attorney, Bucky Joyce. My philosophy will continue to be "do what is right." This sometimes means not bringing charges or amending charges already brought to conform to the evidence, and to always treat people fairly. I enjoy a reputation as being tough but fair, which I fully intend to continue. I will vigorously pursue those who commit violent offenses and those who are dealing drugs in our community, and will continue the high degree of success we have demonstrated in cases of rape and sexual assault, and in severely punishing those who harm our children. I plan to reach out and be visible to the community, and to engage in educating my constituents in, for example, the prevention of such rising crimes as internet fraud and theft offenses, and telephone scams. I will keep our office up to date with the enhanced use of technology to keep up with 21st century problems and with changes in the law. I will work closely with our law enforcement partners and continue our 24/7/365 accessibility. I will maintain the partnership role of our law enforcement brothers in crime investigation and prevention, and in bringing the most serious offenders to justice. I will maintain our open door policy for members of the public. And last and perhaps most important, I will protect the rights of victims and engage them through the entire legal process.