Jeremiah Upson, of Ruther Glen, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for second-degree felony murder, paramilitary activity, and selling a handgun to a minor — becoming the first of the co-defendants to be sentenced in the April 2025 Olde Greenwich Circle shooting. The Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney under Ryan Mehaffey prosecuted the case.
The Sentence
The 25-year sentence covered Upson’s convictions for second-degree felony murder, paramilitary activity, and selling a handgun to a minor. Commonwealth’s Attorney Ryan Mehaffey noted that the sentence exceeded what the guidelines called for, while acknowledging the defendant’s expression of remorse.
Mehaffey noted the sentence “slightly exceeded the high end of the sentencing guidelines,” and that Upson “credibly expressed remorse for his conduct.”
The Cases Still Ahead
Upson was the first of the co-defendants to be sentenced. Additional sentencings for co-defendants — including Soulier, Snead, and Fitz — were set to continue into the later spring of 2026. Christopher Moore’s sentencing was delayed by a courthouse power outage.
Why It Matters
Sentencing is where accountability becomes concrete. That the term here exceeded the high end of the state’s guidelines reflects the gravity of a crime that cost multiple young people their lives — and the guidelines’ recognition that not every case fits neatly within a recommended range.
As the remaining sentencings proceed, the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney continues its work of seeing this case through to its conclusion and keeping faith with the families and the community of Spotsylvania County.
Mehaffey noted the sentence “slightly exceeded the high end of the sentencing guidelines,” and that Upson “credibly expressed remorse for his conduct.”