Judge revokes bond for Nico Rivera, accused in October homicide

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — A Richmond judge has revoked the bond for Nico Rivera, the 28-year-old man accused of killing Jacob Baldwin during a confrontation in Scott’s Addition, after missing two mandatory drug tests.

Rivera is charged with a second-degree murder stemming from the altercation on October 12, 2024.

The decision comes after Rivera missed drug test appointments on May 19 and June 11, a direct violation of his bond agreement. He was taken back into custody on Thursday, July 3.

“It was a complete relief, to know that he's actually in jail where he should have been the whole time,” said Renee Baldwin, Jacob’s mother.

Jacob’s parents called the judge’s ruling a small but meaningful step toward justice.

On Wednesday, July 9, prosecutors argued Rivera demonstrated a “flagrant disregard for the rules and thumbing his nose at the court.” The bond agreement had been modified in April to allow Rivera limited outdoor access at his family’s home and required regular drug testing.

The defense countered that Rivera had not posed a flight risk and had otherwise complied with conditions over the past nine months. They presented two witnesses in support: a pretrial services employee who testified to know Rivera’s location since his house arrest began.

The second was Rivera’s father, Christian Rivera, who works from home and lives with him. The elder Rivera said he never saw or smelled drugs in the house but admitted he was unaware his son had missed required drug tests.

Ultimately, Judge Bradley B. Cavedo concluded that Rivera had failed to follow the court’s orders—a serious matter given the charge he faces.

“It doesn't bring Jacob back,” Jacob’s parents said after the hearing. “None of that changes it for us… But we're certainly happy that he's now incarcerated. That’s where he should be.”

Rivera will now remain in jail until his trial, which is scheduled to begin on October 20.