Man convicted of four counts of forcible sodomy in Hopewell granted parole after 30 years

The Virginia Parole Board has granted parole to Waverly Otis Robinson, who was convicted of four counts of forcible sodomy in Hopewell, according to the board's September 2026 decisions report.

The board's September report lists Robinson, 63, as granted under dual eligibility, with a decision date of Sept. 11 and certification on Sept. 14. His record shows four forcible sodomy convictions in Hopewell Circuit Court dated April 7, 1993, each carrying 20 years with 10 suspended; a statutory burglary conviction in Petersburg Circuit Court dated Nov. 25, 1992, with 10 years and 7 years, 8 months suspended; and a Parole Board violation entry dated April 3, 2018, carrying 20 years, 1 month and 7 days. The report estimates he has served 30 years, 4 months and 13 days. The minutes say he was considered for discretionary parole and geriatric conditional release.

This newsroom could not locate contemporaneous news coverage or an appellate opinion describing the Hopewell offenses, so the facts here are limited to the board record. In keeping with this newsroom's policy, no victim of a sexual offense is identified.

Prior and repeat offenses: Besides the four sodomy counts, the record shows the 1992 Petersburg burglary conviction and the 2018 parole violation, which indicates Robinson was previously released on parole and returned to prison. The record does not describe what the violation involved. Vice Chair Kecia Brothers Hayes said he had been infraction-free since 2013.

The board's stated reasons: The board's listed reasons were demonstrated rehabilitation, excellent institutional adjustment, the conclusion that he had served enough time, infraction-free conduct for at least 24 months, a low risk-assessment score, clear acceptance of responsibility, significant community support, insight into the factors behind the crime and a sustained commitment to growth and lawful conduct.

The Sept. 10 minutes record a 4-0 vote and "no victim opposition." Robinson addressed the board. Board Member Tyrone Nelson cited significant community support and his conclusion that Robinson had served enough time, and Chair Shannon Dion cited insight into the causes of criminal behavior and a low risk-assessment score.

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 Hopewell: 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, Hopewell recorded 416.4 violent index crimes per 100,000 residents in 2025, compared with 438.3 in 2016, down 5% over the decade. Its property crime rate was 1,448.5 per 100,000 in 2025, compared with 2,844.5 in 2016, down 49%. Nearby, Petersburg recorded 898.1 violent crimes per 100,000 residents in 2025, up 23% from 731.4 in 2016, and 2,991.8 property crimes per 100,000, down 7% from 3,230.2. 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 Robinson will live.

Petersburg is an independent city in the Richmond region.

Richmond is an independent city in the Richmond region.

Email Abigail Spanberger at:
abigail.spanberger@governor.virginia.gov

Hopewell is an independent city in the Richmond region.