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Florida man sentenced to 48 years in Interstate 295 shooting death

Crystal Graham
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A Florida man has pleaded guilty in a shooting death that occurred on Interstate 295 in Henrico County last January.

Tony Ray Williams, 55, of Fort Pierce, Fla., was sentenced to a total of 48 years in prison, the maximum allowed under sentencing guidelines.

According to Virginia State Police, he pleaded guilty to murder, 40 years; possession of a firearm by a violent felon, five years; and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, three years.

The homicide occurred on Jan. 31, 2025, near the 25 mile marker.

The victim, Silvio Sobrinho, 58, of Revere, Mass., was operating a tractor trailer in the left lane of I-295 when his vehicle was struck by a second tractor trailer traveling in the center lane.

The impact forced Sobrinho’s vehicle off the roadway, where it struck a metal guardrail and came to rest.

Sobrinho was later found deceased with a gunshot wound.

The Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Richmond field office conducted the investigation with assistance from law enforcement partners in Florida.


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Crystal Graham

Crystal Graham

A 1999 graduate of Virginia Tech, Crystal Graham has worked for 25 years as a reporter and editor for several Virginia publications, written a book, and garnered more than a dozen Virginia Press Association awards for writing and graphic design. She was the co-host of "Viewpoints," a weekly TV news show, and co-host of "Virginia Tonight," a nightly TV news show, both broadcast on PBS. Her work on "Virginia Tonight" earned her a national Telly award for excellence in television. You can reach her at [email protected]