Trigger Warning: Domestic Violence
Man Who Hit Girlfriend With Car in 2024 Sentenced to 4 Years After Pleading Guilty to Assault, Malicious Wounding
NORFOLK, Va. — Michael Allen Faulkner Jr., 29, was sentenced on Oct. 10 to serve four years in prison after he pleaded guilty to maliciously wounding and assaulting his girlfriend late last year when he attacked her inside a car and then ran into her with the car.
On Dec. 24, 2024, Mr. Faulkner and the victim were arguing inside a car while Mr. Faulkner was driving. During this argument, Mr. Faulkner pulled the victim toward him and punched her in her face. While Mr. Faulkner was stopped near the intersection of Campostella and Indian River roads, the victim got out of the car, and Mr. Faulkner drove off. Moments later, however, Mr. Faulkner returned to the intersection, hit the victim with the car, and drove away again. The impact caused the victim to go airborne over the hood and lose consciousness. Norfolk Police were called to the scene, officers located the car parked in the Berkley area, and they detained Mr. Faulkner as he was walking nearby. After being read his Miranda rights and being transported to the Police Operations Center, Mr. Faulkner gave a full confession.
On July 23, Mr. Faulkner entered an agreement to plead guilty as charged to felony malicious wounding and misdemeanor domestic assault and to face an active prison sentence within the recommendation of his state sentencing guidelines. Judge David W. Lannetti accepted Mr. Faulkner’s plea agreement and set his sentencing hearing on Oct. 10.
At Mr. Faulkner’s sentencing hearing on Friday, the victim testified to the emotional and physical toll of Mr. Faulkner’s actions that continue to affect her mentally and financially. The Commonwealth argued for a sentence of four years and four months, which was near the high end of Mr. Faulkner’s sentencing guidelines. After hearing the arguments, Judge Lannetti sentenced Mr. Faulkner to serve four years in prison and suspended another seven years on the conditions that Mr. Faulkner completes a period of supervised probation after his release, that he remain of uniform good behavior for 10 years, that he pay restitution to the victim for her medical bills, and that he abide by a lifelong protective order prohibiting contact with the victim.
“A car, used wrong, is as much of a deadly weapon as a knife or gun,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi. “We are fortunate that the victim did not suffer more serious injuries than she did, and I am grateful to her and to the Norfolk Police for helping secure accountability against Mr. Faulkner for this violent crime.”
Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Adam L. LaFon prosecuted Mr. Faulkner’s case, and Norfolk Police Detective Tristan L. Wampler led the investigation.
If you and/or someone you love are a victim of a crime — including but not limited to domestic violence — resources are available at the Norfolk Family Justice Center. For more information, please visit norfolkfjc.org, call 757-330-0376, or stop by the NFJC located at 835 Glenrock Road, Suite 100, between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. on weekdays. If you are in crisis, call the 24/7 hotline by dialing 757-251-0144. In an emergency, please call 911.
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