The Virginia Court of Appeals has upheld the convictions of Marquie Kaseem Little for violating a preliminary protective order and stalking his ex-girlfriend, Aaliyah Tyler. The court's decision, issued on November 10, 2026, confirms that sufficient evidence supported the trial court's findings. Little's actions, which included attempts to contact Tyler after being served with the protective order, led to his convictions under Virginia law.

This ruling is significant as it emphasizes the importance of adhering to protective orders, which are designed to keep individuals safe from potential harm. It also highlights the legal consequences of violating such orders, especially in cases involving stalking and domestic abuse.

Background

Marquie Kaseem Little and Aaliyah Tyler had a tumultuous relationship that included incidents of family abuse. On August 13, 2024, Tyler obtained a preliminary protective order against Little, which prohibited him from contacting her or her family members. The order was issued after Tyler reported that Little had subjected her to abuse involving a weapon.

After obtaining the protective order, Tyler learned that Little was at her father’s house in Williamsburg that same evening. She contacted the police to serve him with the protective order, which was done shortly after 10:00 p.m. that night. The order specifically required Little to stay away from Tyler’s residence in Hampton, where she lived with her daughter and her domestic partner.

Despite being served with the order, Little was seen in the vicinity of Tyler’s apartment complex multiple times on August 14, 2024. Tyler and her family reported seeing Little’s distinctive white Toyota Corolla parked near their home, which caused them to fear for their safety. This led to Tyler calling the police, who later obtained an arrest warrant for Little.

The Ruling

The Virginia Court of Appeals, led by Chief Judge Marla Graff Decker, concluded that the trial court did not err in finding Little guilty of both violating the protective order and stalking. The court noted, “The evidence proved that on the morning of August 13, 2024, Tyler obtained a preliminary protective order from the juvenile and domestic relations district court that named Little as the respondent.”

The court emphasized that Little had actual notice of the protective order after being personally served. The ruling stated, “Little’s receipt of [p]ersonal service [provided him with] actual notice of the existence and content of the order.” The court also found that Little’s actions, including his presence at Tyler’s father’s house and later sightings near her apartment complex, constituted violations of the order.

Furthermore, the court affirmed the stalking conviction, stating that Little's behavior placed Tyler in reasonable fear for her safety. The evidence showed that he had engaged in conduct directed at Tyler on multiple occasions, which met the legal definition of stalking under Virginia law.

Impact

This ruling reinforces the legal framework surrounding protective orders and the consequences of violating them. It sends a clear message that courts take violations seriously, particularly in cases involving stalking and domestic violence. The decision may influence how similar cases are handled in the future, emphasizing the need for strict adherence to protective orders to ensure the safety of individuals at risk.

The ruling also highlights the importance of evidence in such cases. The court relied on multiple pieces of evidence, including Tyler's testimony and security camera footage, to support its findings. This case may serve as a precedent for future cases involving protective orders and stalking, underscoring the necessity for law enforcement and the courts to act decisively in protecting victims.

What’s Next

Little's convictions can potentially be appealed to the Virginia Supreme Court, but details regarding any such plans were not available in the court filing. There is no indication of any related cases pending that would impact this ruling.