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The Suffolk farm owner who had entered guilty pleas to five charges last year in connection with threats sent to a former employee was sentenced Friday in Suffolk Circuit Court.

Joseph Vincent Musicaro, 35, who is known for owning and running Kay’s Acres on Lummis Road, had the lone felony charge against him, communicating a threat in writing, dismissed. Judge Lawson Wayne Farmer had said at the time that there was enough evidence to find him guilty of the charge, but agreed to take it under advisement for a year as Musicaro was required to complete 50 hours of community service, have no contact with the victim and be on good behavior.

However, Musicaro will serve 12 months after being found guilty of a misdemeanor charge of using a computer for harassment. He also received suspended, 12-month sentences on misdemeanor charges of stalking–fear of death/assault and profane language over a public airway. He was ordered to pay costs totaling $973 on the five charges.

Per a plea agreement, Musicaro was not prosecuted on charges of obstruction of justice or entering property with intent to damage.

The charges resulted from a number of threatening, profanity-laced text messages sent to a former employee of his from February to March 2020, with the victim previously testifying the messages caused her to fear for her life. Parts of the messages said, “They may be on the inside, but we have people on the outside,” “Leave town or die,” “Your goat dies today … so do you,” “Leave Virginia or we kill you and all the animals” and “Sleep with one eye open.”

Testimony in the case showed that an investigation had found Musicaro to have used the Burner app on his smartphone to disguise his number, allowing him to send the threatening messages.

In 2018, Musicaro founded Kay’s Acres, which specializes in horseback riding lessons, special events and accommodations for horse owners who need boarding and working with the families of special needs children.