News Summary
Connor Land, a 22-year-old from Virginia Beach, has been sentenced to 275 days in jail following a conviction for stalking. His legal troubles originated from a previous incident involving an Apple AirTag given to a young girl. Despite initial probation for that offense, Land’s behavior escalated, leading to the recent stalking charge. The judge denied a deferred finding due to the serious nature of his actions, mandating treatment and no contact with the victim. The case has drawn significant public interest as discussions about the challenges faced by individuals with autism continue.
Virginia Beach witnessed a significant legal development this week as Connor Land, a 22-year-old local man, was sentenced to 275 days in jail following a stalking conviction. Land’s legal issues stem from a series of incidents, including a controversial event in the summer of 2023, where he gave a 7-year-old girl an Apple AirTag disguised in stickers while working at a Wegmans store.
The initial incident came to light when the girl’s mother found the tracking device at their home. This led to legal actions against Land, who admitted his involvement but managed to avoid prison time due to a Virginia law enacted in 2020. This law permits deferred findings for nonviolent crimes committed by individuals with developmental disabilities. Initially placed on probation, Land successfully completed this year-long period before his legal troubles escalated.
In April 2025, Land was arrested for stalking a local woman. After following her to a Dollar General store and subsequently to her home, he knocked on her door, expressing a desire to be friends. Two hours later, Land returned, prompting the victim to alert law enforcement. He later confessed to his actions, leading to his arrest two days afterward.
Land’s attorney argued that his behavior was influenced by his autism, suggesting he struggles with forming social connections. Despite this defense, his prior charge regarding the AirTag incident was dismissed, even though the victim had sought a conviction. Complications in Land’s background include another woman obtaining a protective order against him while he was in college, after he entered her dorm room. Those charges were similarly dismissed.
Ultimately, Land’s recent stalking charge resulted in a conviction, but a request for a deferred finding was denied by the judge, who cited the nature of Land’s actions as a factor in the ruling. The sentence handed down to Land involves 365 days in jail, with 90 days suspended, meaning he will serve a total of 275 days behind bars. He has also been mandated to refrain from contacting the stalking victim and must adhere to treatment recommendations from health professionals.
The case has captured considerable media attention and sparked public interest within the Hampton Roads community. Discussions surrounding Land’s actions and the implications of his autism diagnosis continue as community members reflect on the difficulties of individuals with developmental disorders in handling social situations.
As the legal process unfolds, Land is set to face another court hearing on July 10, where further developments may take place regarding his case and potential future ramifications.
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Additional Resources
- WTKR: Virginia Beach Man With Autism Gets 9 Months for Stalking Woman to Her Home
- WTKR: No Bond for Virginia Beach Man Facing New Stalking Charges for Following Woman Home
- WAVY: VB Man Sentenced to 275 Days in Jail for Stalking Woman
- Wikipedia: Autism
- Google Search: Virginia Beach Stalking Case
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