Regent law student charged with Internet sex crime
By JON FRANK,
The
Virginian-Pilot
January 14, 2003
VIRGINIA BEACH -- A third-year law student at Regent University, who helped run several successful campaigns for local Republicans, was arrested Jan. 10 and charged with two counts of soliciting sex with a minor over the Internet.
Robin Vanderwall is being held without bond in the Virginia Beach City Jail.
Vanderwall, 34, is charged with two felonies -- use of a communication device for crimes against children and attempted indecent liberties with a child 14 or younger.
Vanderwall was arrested after he contacted a Virginia Beach police officer who was posing as an underage boy in an Internet chat room, according to prosecutors. The officer agreed to meet with Vanderwall at a Virginia Beach park on the evening of Jan. 10. Vanderwall was arrested when he showed up at the park.
Vanderwall ran Del. Robert F. McDonnell's successful campaign against former Sheriff Frank Drew for the House of Delegates in 1999.
McDonnell, who is in Richmond now for the General Assembly session, said Vanderwall has not worked for him since then.
``He did a very good job in my campaign,'' McDonnell said Monday. ``He was diligent and a hard worker. I am shocked by the accusations.''
McDonnell said Vanderwall is a graduate of The Citadel and attends law school at Regent University.
Since 1999, Vanderwall has worked in other Republican campaigns, McDonnell said, including the successful campaign of Del. G. Glenn Oder, R-Newport News.
Last summer, he was an intern in the office of Virginia Beach Commonwealth's Attorney Harvey L. Bryant III.
Bryant said Monday that a special prosecutor will be brought in to handle Vanderwall's case.
