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Members of N.C. drug trafficking group get life sentence for Norfolk murder-for-hire

Lillian Bond was considered a neighborhood caretaker and was known for her willingness to help people. She was shot and killed while taking out the trash in 2016.

NORFOLK, Va. — Four North Carolina men who were convicted in a 2016 murder-for-hire resulting in the death of a Norfolk woman were sentenced to life in prison Friday.

The sentencing comes after Jaquate Simpson, Landis Jackson, Kalub Shipman, and Nelson Evans were convicted in March 2023 in connection to the murder of 59-year-old Lillian Bond. Their life sentence was considered mandatory. 

Bond was shot to death on April 19, 2016. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, the murder was connected to a long-running drug trafficking operation led by Simpson and Jackson. Their operation was responsible for distributing hundreds of kilograms of cocaine into central North Carolina and the Hampton Roads region of Virginia.

RELATED: Murder-for-hire convictions send a message to organized drug traffickers, FBI says

Prosecutors said on April 13, 2016, a Norfolk-based drug dealer failed to pay over $81,000 for a multi-kilogram cocaine delivery.

Simpson and Jackson’s organization retaliated by hiring Shipman, a Nine Trey gang member, to kill the next person to exit a house associated with where the Norfolk dealer had been known to frequent. They paid him $10,000.

"We literally have a recording where the leader said the next person out of that residence needs to get killed, needs to get shot," said Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Norfolk Field Office Brian Dugan. "Murder-for-hire will probably put you away for life."

Shipman then recruited Evans for $3,000 to help with the murder-for-hire and the two traveled to Virginia a few days later. Around 11:30 on the morning of April 19, Shipman and Evans went to the Ingleside neighborhood of Norfolk and shot Bond as she was taking out the trash on Trice Terrace. Evans was the person who pulled the trigger. 

"She was the wrong person, at the wrong place, at the wrong time," said Jessica Aber, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Dugan said he is happy to see justice served after such a senseless killing, calling Bond's death a shock to Norfolk's conscience.

"Getting the conviction and  now finally getting around to the sentencing is proof positive that when the conscience is shocked so much in the community and have so many questions, that we can get behind them and get those questions answered."

Bond was considered a neighborhood caretaker and was known for her willingness to help people. She worked at the Children’s Hospital for The King’s Daughters for about 20 years and was described as a pillar in her community.

Precious Hill said her aunt was known for her love for people and her love for life. She was always organizing family get-togethers, like Valentine's Day gatherings and "storm parties."

"The last seven and a half years have been horrible. Nightmares, anxiety," she said, noting how terrifying it is to see a car slow down near them. "We’re doing life without the matriarch of our family."

She said until the men were arrested, the rest of the family didn't know if they were next. Hill said many of her family members now struggle with their mental health.

She called "Aunt Resa" a central part of their family.

"She accepted people for where they were without passing judgment. Her house was a judge-free zone, so you could go no matter what you were doing in life and who you believed in and who you were friends with, who you didn't talk to, you were welcome at Aunt Resa's house," Hill said.

In her emotional testimony ahead of Friday's sentencing, Hill told the men, who she referred to as "animals," that they had broken her family. She told them "inmate looks good on you, brother."

She told them how lucky they are that they will still get to see their family, while the Bond family now spends holidays at the cemetery.

"To see my aunt again, I have to let go and let God," Hill said. "If you had to sentence based on love, no sentence would be high enough.”

One of Bond's other nieces, Zelda Brown, also gave her testimony Friday, saying her family has to find a way to forgive.

"Greed and fast money is what all of you are in a chokehold with," Brown said. "Our family is serving a lifelong sentence mentally."

Each man had their moment to address the judge and family Friday. All four maintained their innocence, but told the family they were sorry for their loss.

Shipman was emotional as he took the stand, saying Lillian Bond was a good woman and "didn't deserve what happened to her."

Simpson, the leader of the criminal enterprise, told the family "I will pray for Lillian Bond every night." He then told the judge, "That's it, your honor. Let's go."

Senior U.S. District Judge John Gibney called what the men did “evil.” However, he acknowledged they are all human beings.

"I hope all of us in this courtroom will recognize, like everyone else, they are part of God's creation."

Gibney also acknowledged the tremendous pain Bond's murder has caused the family.

"That kind of love outlives the kind of evil that caused her death."

He went on to say he hoped these men serving a life sentence would send a message to others out there plotting and carrying out the same things.

"This was ruthless from beginning to end, top to bottom."

Simpson was convicted of continuing criminal enterprise; murder while engaged in continuing criminal enterprise; narcotics conspiracy; murder while engaged in a drug-trafficking offense; distribution of cocaine; use of a firearm resulting in death; conspiracy to commit murder for hire; murder for hire.

Jackson was convicted of continuing criminal enterprise; murder while engaged in continuing criminal enterprise; narcotics conspiracy; murder while engaged in a drug-trafficking offense; distribution of cocaine; use of a firearm resulting in death; conspiracy to commit murder for hire; murder for hire.

Shipman was convicted of murder while engaged in a drug-trafficking offense; use of a firearm resulting in death; conspiracy to commit murder for hire; murder for hire; felon in possession of a firearm.

Evans was convicted of use of a firearm resulting in death; conspiracy to commit murder for hire; murder for hire.

"I hope this sentencing sends a message that violent crime is a priority for the Department of Justice and local law enforcement. We will spare no expense and expend all resources and take the time necessary to build a case to ensure that we keep the community as safe as possible," said Aber, while thanking all of the law enforcement partnerships that made the conviction happen.

Hill said after this sentencing, they can finally begin to heal.

"Today, we take our freedom back. They killed Aunt Resa, but they are not going to destroy our family unit," she said.

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