A 29-year-old former Essex School Division employee remains free on bond awaiting a July sentencing date after pleading guilty to a sex-related charge last week.
Appearing in Essex County Circuit Court on March 20, Davonta Lamar Hill entered the guilty plea to a felony charge of proposing sex via a computer with a child less than 15 years of age.
At the time of the incident, Hill was employed as a paraprofessional at Tappahannock Elementary School and served as the junior varsity girls’ basketball coach at Essex High School.
In a brief summary of evidence, Essex County Commonwealth’s Attorney Vincent Donoghue told Judge Herbert M. Hewitt that on January 7, 2023, Hill sent a sexually explicit text message to the victim and inquired about engaging in sex with the juvenile. Donoghue said the victim was 13 years old at the time.
During questioning by Hewitt, Hill told the court that he has no prior felony convictions.
Hewitt ordered a pre-sentence investigation in anticipation of a July 24 sentencing hearing.
Hill remains free on a $5,000 secured bond.
Two other charges against Hill (misdemeanor contributing to the delinquency of a minor and felony indecent liberties) were not prosecuted.
According to Essex County Sheriff W.A. “Arnie” Holmes, his office received information from a parent of an Essex County Public Schools concerning inappropriate communication between a student and staff member.
Following an investigation, Hill was subsequently arrested on January 11, 2023.
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