Ex-Regent dean guilty of abuse in 1 city, indicted in another

By Shawn Day

The Virginian-Pilot

VIRGINIA BEACH

The former Regent University law school assistant dean who pleaded guilty in Chesapeake last week to sexually abusing children is facing similar charges in Virginia Beach.

Stephen L. McPherson, 39, is charged with two counts of indecent liberties while in a custodial or supervisory role, according to a special grand jury indictment unsealed Monday. McPherson's wife, Melina Ann McPherson, 37, also was indicted on a charge of indecent liberties while in a custodial or supervisory role. The couple lives in Chesapeake.

The charges stem from abuse that allegedly occurred between August 1996 and August 2000. During that time, the McPhersons served as house parents supervising as many as eight girls at Hope Haven Children's Home on North Landing Road in Virginia Beach. The grand jury indicted the couple on charges related to three girls.

Stephen L. McPherson pleaded guilty Friday in Chesapeake Circuit Court to two counts of forcible sodomy and two counts of object sexual penetration. Prosecutors withdrew nine other felony charges in exchange for his guilty pleas, and they agreed to recommend a cap of 18 years and six months in prison. His sentencing is May 22.

He was free on bond but ordered to wear an electronic monitoring device.

Pilot writer John Hopkins contributed to this report.

Shawn Day, (757) 222-5131, shawn.day@pilotonline.com