LYNCHBURG, Va. (WFXR) – The Lynchburg Commonwealth’s Attorney has announced the sentencing of a man for the 2021 murder of 47-year-old Scottie Humbles that occurred at the James Crossing Apartments.
On November 13, 29-year-old Ja’Quain Quintez Miller pled guilty to Second-Degree Murder, Use of a Firearm During a Murder, Possession of a Firearm by a Violent Felon, Possession of Cocaine with the Intent to Distribute, and Possession of a Firearm while in Possession of Cocaine with the Intent to Distribute, as well as two probation violations, and a pending charge of Assault and Battery on a Corrections Officer from August 9, 2021.
Miller was sentenced to a total of 38 years to serve broken down by charge as follows:
- On the charge of Second-Degree Murder, 40 years with 20 years suspended.
- On the charge of Use of a Firearm During the Commission of Murder, 3 years of mandatory minimum time;
- On the charge of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Violent Felon, 5 years of mandatory minimum time;
- On the charge of Possession of Cocaine with the Intent to Distribute, 10 years with 8 years suspended; and
- On the charge of Possession of a Firearm while Possession with the Intent to Distribute Cocaine, 5 years of mandatory minimum time.
- On the charge of Assault and Battery Against a Law Enforcement Officer, 5 years with 4 years suspended. Six months of this sentence is a mandatory minimum term of incarceration.
- On the probation violations, 1 year revoked on each charge for a total of 2 years to serve.
On April 20, 2021, officers with Lynchburg Police responded to the front of the 805 James Crossing Apartment building on Greenfield Drive after reports that a man was shot. On the scene, the apartment complex’s maintenance worker, 47-year-old Scottie Humbles, was found motionless and face down in the parking lot with gunshot wounds to the head.
Life-saving measures were attempted, however, he was pronounced dead at the scene from his injuries.
Officers followed leads provided by eyewitnesses and located Ja’Quain Quintez Miller, who was identified as the shooter and then seen fleeing from the scene.