Trevor Ewers sentenced to 127 years

Trevor Ewers was the backseat passenger during what should have been a routine traffic stop in Amherst County on September 22, 2017. After getting out of the car, he was told to show his hands by Lt. Jason Meador and refused. Ewers then pulled a gun from his pocket, firing first at Dep. Karajankovich. Lt. Meador immediately gained physical control of Ewers, pinning him to the ground, Lt. Meador was shot in the head at some point during the physical takedown. Dep. Karajankovich then returned fire shooting Ewers in the chest. Ofc. Robinson and Dep. Nash assisted in getting the firearm away from Ewers and maintaining the scene until other law enforcement could arrive on scene.

Trevor Ewers was tried and convicted by a jury of his peers in Amherst County during a two-day jury trial in September 2019.

The jury recommended an active sentence of 103 years. The jury recommended 35 years for each count of attempted capital murder (one count for Lt. Meador and one count for Dep. Karajankovich); 25 years for the aggravated malicious wounding of Lt. Meador; and an additional 8 years for the two counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. He was later convicted of one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon stemming from the events on September 22, 2017, and sentenced to the maximum sentence of 5 years. He was also found guilty of two probation violations for an additional 19 years. Overall, he is now serving a sentence of 127 years at the supermax facility at Wallens Ridge penitentiary.

This case was a huge win for the protection of our law enforcement officers. It was a clear message to criminals that our deputies are not to be harmed. This case was a great illustration of a shift of deputies that worked together to keep each other safe and the great working relationship between the Amherst County Sheriff’s Office and the Amherst Town Police. The Virginia State Police also assisted with thoroughly investigating the crime scene and conducted interviews which allowed us to have a successful prosecution.