Trial tentatively scheduled in CC sex abuse, porn case

A Feb. 4 trial date, tentatively scheduled for a Richmond man indicted on a long list of sex offense and child pornography counts, could change when the defendant returns to Charles City Circuit Court on Jan. 4.

That’s the date the court plans to review the case involving David Russell Skulimoski, 49, of 3907 Beechmont Road. A grand jury convening on Nov. 9 indicted the suspect on four counts each of aggravated sexual battery, forcible sodomy, and animate or inanimate object penetration along with two counts of child pornography production.

Skulimoski appeared before Judge Thomas B. Hoover on Dec. 3 for appointment of counsel. Skulimoski is represented by high profile Richmond attorney Craig Cooley on child porn charges incurred in that city, but the suspect told Hoover he could not afford to pay Cooley to represent him in Charles City.

Earlier, Charles City Commonwealth’s Attorney Rob Tyler said Skulimoski’s roommate hired Cooley. After finding the defendant to be indigent, Hoover appointed Providence Forge attorney John Jones.

Tyler told the court that based on evidence gathered by investigators, the case against Skulimoski is strong.

“It’s the best one of these cases I’ve ever seen strength-wise,” the prosecutor added.

The sexual battery, sodomy, and penetration charges cover an eight-year period from 2002-10 and involve an underage girl. Authorities are not releasing the girl’s age, but most of the indictments relate to when the girl was under age 13.

A possibility exists that the Richmond court system could absorb the two Charles City child porn production counts, Tyler said.

The prosecutor said earlier that Skulimoski has a 1988 sex offense conviction in Chesterfield County, but has not been ordered by the state to register as a sex offender.

The defendant, meanwhile, remains held in jail without bond.

In an unrelated case on Dec. 3, Hoover ordered a Charles City woman convicted earlier of grand larceny to serve 10 days in jail. The judge suspended all but the 10 days in a 10-year prison sentence handed to Timothea Leresa Seward, 36, of 9611 Kimages Road.

Last March 25 while visiting a neighbor’s house, Seward stole jewelry items from the neighbor’s purse when the neighbor walked out side to her mailbox. Seward returned the items after the neighbor told her she had notified the sheriff’s office.

Tyler said the defendant has a previous misdemeanor conviction involving theft and served four days in jail. He asked Hoover to double the time for the latest conviction.

“Ms. Seward continues to minimize her involvement, and this is her second offense,” the judge said in imposing sentence. “She needs a strong message.”