Man convicted of 1997 Franklin post office robbery granted parole under juvenile criteria

The Virginia Parole Board has granted parole to David Syrus Butchee, who was convicted of armed robbery of a Franklin post office in Southampton County, according to the board's September 2026 decisions report.

The board's September report lists Butchee, 45, as granted discretionary parole, with a decision date of Sept. 10 and certification on Sept. 14. The minutes say he was considered under the board's "newly enacted Juvenile Offender Criteria Procedures." His record shows robbery and use of a firearm in a felony convictions in Southampton County Circuit Court dated Nov. 23, 1999, including a 30-year robbery sentence; burglary and grand larceny convictions in Virginia Beach Circuit Court in 1998; possession of a firearm by a felon in Stafford County Circuit Court in 1998; and a 2000 Brunswick County Circuit Court conviction for a prisoner possessing a Schedule III drug or marijuana. The report estimates he has served 28 years, 9 months and 17 days.

According to a February 2001 Court of Appeals of Virginia opinion affirming his robbery and firearm convictions, a white Jeep Cherokee was stolen from a Virginia Beach residence on the morning of Nov. 24, 1997. That afternoon, a man entered a post office in the City of Franklin, demanded money from a postal clerk and placed a gun on the counter pointing at him, then left in a white Jeep Cherokee. That evening a Stafford County sheriff's sergeant saw Butchee putting gas in the stolen vehicle; Butchee ran, and a stainless steel handgun was found in the Jeep. The clerk could not identify the robber, but the court found the circumstantial evidence sufficient. The jury sentenced him to 30 years for the robbery and 3 years for the firearm charge.

Prior and repeat offenses: The record lists two sets of Virginia Beach burglary and grand larceny convictions from 1998, the 1998 Stafford felon-in-possession conviction and the 2000 Brunswick conviction for possessing drugs as a prisoner, a crime committed while incarcerated. The board under Gov. Glenn Youngkin denied him parole in April 2022 and January 2023; the January 2023 report cited his "record of institutional infractions" and a "conviction of a new crime while incarcerated." Members said in September that he had been infraction-free since 2020.

The board's stated reasons: The board's listed reasons included his age at the time of the offense, emotional and behavioral stability, verified employment or vocational opportunity, a realistic and structured reentry plan, stable family relationships, reduced dynamic risk factors, educational milestones, release being compatible with public safety, insight into the factors behind the crime, long-term goal setting, demonstrated rehabilitation, correctional and vocational programs, clear acceptance of responsibility, prosocial service, a low risk-assessment score, infraction-free conduct for at least 24 months and positive leadership roles. The board also concluded he had served enough time, and said the outcome "aligns with proportionality and equity."

The Sept. 10 minutes record a 4-0 vote. The Victim Services Team said one victim was not opposed to parole and the second victim deferred to the board. All four members cited his age at the time of the offense. Board Member Valerie Boykin also cited "no positive drug screens" and "engagement in restorative practices."

How the decision was made: At the Sept. 10 meeting, held in person and electronically at the board's offices on Atmore Drive in Richmond, each candidate addressed the board by teleconference after a summary of victim input, and Chair Shannon Dion then called on each member to vote and state reasons, according to the minutes, which the board approved on Oct. 1. The September report notes that the offenses it lists include all offenses for which a person has been serving time, whether or not they are parole-eligible.

Crime trends in Southampton County: According to the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services report "Virginia Index Crime and Drug Arrest Trends 2016-2025," published in August 2026 using Virginia State Police crime repository data, Southampton County recorded 118.9 violent index crimes per 100,000 residents in 2025, compared with 119.4 in 2016, essentially unchanged over the decade. Its property crime rate was 832.0 per 100,000 in 2025, compared with 1,014.5 in 2016, down 18%. Nearby, Franklin recorded 705.2 violent crimes per 100,000 residents in 2025, up 165% from 266.0 in 2016, and 2,749.1 property crimes per 100,000, down 25% from 3,643.3. And Virginia Beach recorded 98.5 violent crimes per 100,000 residents in 2025, down 37% from 155.9 in 2016, and 1,480.2 property crimes per 100,000, down 32% from 2,186.5. Statewide, DCJS reported 210.5 violent crimes per 100,000 residents in 2025, down 7% from 2024 and 14% from 2023; the median rate among Virginia's counties and independent cities was 172.9. DCJS notes that the repository receives rolling updates, so the rates may be revised.

Across September, the board decided 85 parole cases and granted 7, according to its monthly decisions report, a grant rate of about 8.2% for the month, down from about 32% (14 of 44) in August. It denied the other 78. Separately, it decided four parole-violation cases, revoking parole in two, continuing parole in one and discharging one person from supervision. All seven grants were voted on at the board's Sept. 10 meeting, with four members present; Board Member Kevin White was absent, according to the approved minutes. All five current board members were appointed by Gov. Abigail Spanberger on March 4, 2026, and confirmed by the General Assembly in March.

Parole in Virginia is supervised release: the board sets conditions and can revoke parole and return a person to prison for violations, as it did in two revocation cases in September. The board's report does not give a release date or say where Butchee will live.

Richmond is an independent city in the Richmond region.

Stafford County is a county in the Fredericksburg area. Its county seat is Stafford.

Brunswick County is a county in Southside Virginia. Its county seat is Lawrenceville.

Southampton County is a county in Southside Virginia. Its county seat is Courtland.