VIRGINIA BEACH — A man who murdered a Grassfield High School student during a 2016 drug deal in an Applebee’s parking lot was sentenced Thursday to 56 years in prison.
The sentence handed down to Jacquan Wilson, 25, by Virginia Beach Circuit Judge Stephen Mahan was at the midpoint of what state sentencing guidelines had recommended he serve. The guidelines suggest a punishment based on the circumstances of a crime and the defendant’s background.
Wilson was found guilty of first-degree murder, robbery and using a firearm to commit a felony at trial in March. He was 17 when he fatally shot 18-year-old Bryant Austin Cueto.
The incident happened May 1, 2016, outside an Applebee’s restaurant on General Booth Boulevard.
Wilson and his friend Andarion McInnis had arranged to meet Cueto to buy Xanax from him. Cueto was a senior at Grassfield High School in Chesapeake and was driven to the restaurant by a friend.
When Wilson and McInnis arrived, Wilson climbed into the backseat, pulled out a gun and demanded Cueto hand over the drugs. When Cueto refused, McInnis ordered Wilson to “pop him.” Wilson fired once, striking Cueto in his back.
Provided by Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office
Jacquan Wilson (Provided by Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office)
Wilson and McInnis were arrested a few days later, and police said Wilson confessed to his role in the crime.
Wilson first went to trial in the case in February 2019 but a mistrial was declared after two jurors’ cars were broken into. Prosecutors and the defense said they were concerned the incident might impact the jurors’ ability to be fair and impartial in their deliberations. Wilson represented himself during his second trial and was found guilty of all charges.
McInnis went to trial in 2017. A jury acquitted him of murder, but found him guilty of robbery, conspiracy and a firearm offense. The panel recommended he serve 48 years but a judge later reduced the amount the 28 years.
Jane Harper, [email protected]
