Serial Sexual Predator From Virginia Targeting Sleeping Women Arrested 16 Years Later: Feds Serial Sexual Predator From Virginia Targeting Sleeping Women Arrested 16 Years Later: Feds
Serial Sexual Predator From Virginia Targeting Sleeping Women Arrested 16 Years Later: Feds A serial sexual predator from Arlington who preyed on women for years more than a decade ago. has been arrested, federal authorities announced on Wednesday. DNA evidence doomed Ernesto Mercado, 54, who has been charged in connection to at least five sexual offenses that were reported in the Georgetown area of DC between 2008 and 2012. "As yesterday's arrest demonstrates, advancements in technology and collaboration among law enforcement partners can lead to breakthroughs in cases that have previously gone unsolved,” acting FBI Special Agent in Charge David Geist said. According to court do…
Man, 21, Reported Missing In Prince William County Found Dead, Police Say Man, 21, Reported Missing In Prince William County Found Dead, Police Say
Man, 21, Reported Missing In Prince William County Found Dead, Police Say A 21-year-old man who was reported missing on Tuesday morning in Prince William County was found dead on Wednesday, authorities announced. An alert was issued by police regarding 21-year-old Landon Von Darnell, who went missing from his home on Tenbury Court in the Bristow area of on Oct. 1. At the time, police said that he was "believed to be missing under voluntary circumstances and may be in need of assistance which qualifies him as endangered."  On Wednesday, Oct. 2, the Prince William County Police Department reported that Darnell was found dead in the Sperryville area, wher…
Disney+ To Raise Prices Along With Several Other Major Streaming Services Disney+ To Raise Prices Along With Several Other Major Streaming Services
Disney+ To Raise Prices Along With Several Other Major Streaming Services Another year, another streaming service price hike.  Disney+, the streaming video platform that boasts more than 150 million users, is raising the price of its monthly subscriptions beginning Thursday, Oct. 17, the company said. The spike comes as Disney said it will crack down on password-sharing, Variety reported.  The House of the Mouse announced earlier this year that prices for its most basic package with advertisements will climb from $8 to $10 monthly. Disney+ Premium will also rise by $2 to $16 monthly. Yearly plans will jump up $20 to $160 a year, the company said. Hulu,…
US Marshals Make Additional Arrest Months After Fatal Prince William County Shooting: Police US Marshals Make Additional Arrest Months After Fatal Prince William County Shooting: Police
US Marshals Make Additional Arrest Months After Fatal Prince William County Shooting: Police A second suspect wanted in connection to the murder of Quatrail Raynard Smalls in Prince William County last winter has been arrested in Alexandria, authorities announced. In July, Tyus James Terrell was arrested following a lengthy search for his alleged role in the fatal shooting that left the 26-year-old Big Stone Gap resident with fatal injuries. Prince William County Police/GoFundMe photo On Monday, Sept. 30, US Marshals located Woodbridge resident Keavon Teddrick Coleman, 27, in Alexandria, where he was taken into custody. Shortly before 8:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, residen…
Florida Man Charged In Double Domestic-Related Murder Involving Virginia Man: Sheriff Florida Man Charged In Double Domestic-Related Murder Involving Virginia Man: Sheriff
Florida Man Charged In Double Domestic-Related Murder Involving Virginia Man: Sheriff The man responsible for the double murder of a mother of four and the father of one of her children during a domestic dispute has been apprehended in Florida, authorities in Frederick County announced. David Phillip Turner, 33, a Miami resident, was arrested over the weekend following the investigation into the August murder of Crimea Malita Baker and Arlington resident Sean Antoine Lange in New Market. He was identified by officials as Baker's ex-husband and the father of three children. Posted by Frederick County Sheriff's Office, MD - Integrity Driven • Community Built on M…
Fishermen Find 46-Year-Old Man Floating In Prince William County Waters: Police Fishermen Find 46-Year-Old Man Floating In Prince William County Waters: Police
Fishermen Find 46-Year-Old Man Floating In Prince William County Waters: Police Fishermen enjoying the water this weekend in Virginia came upon a grisly discovery when they found a floating body in their wake, police say. Officers from the Prince William County Police Department were called to the area of the 500 block of Harbor Side Street in Woodbridge to probe a death that was reported in the area. Police say that members of a fishing vessel in the area found the body floating in the water, prompting a call to fire and rescue personnel, who were able to remove the body from the water and confirm the death. There were no signs of foul play, investigators noted. The…
Dogs Taken Into Custody Following Multiple Attacks, Charging At Officers In PWC: Police Dogs Taken Into Custody Following Multiple Attacks, Charging At Officers In PWC: Police
Dogs Taken Into Custody Following Multiple Attacks, Charging At Officers In PWC: Police A pair of dogs are being held in custody by police in Virginia following multiple incidents where they went after area residents in Prince William County, police say. Officers were called around noon on Saturday, Sept. 28 to the 7500 block of Brunson Circle in Gainsville, where two loose dogs - described as german shepherds - bit two different people. The dogs were located, according to a spokesperson from the Prince William County Police Department, and they proceeded to attack another man and charged at the officers, resulting in one discharging his weapon, which grazed one of the animals…
Maryland Toddler's Death In DC Ruled Homicide By Blunt Force Injuries: MPD Maryland Toddler's Death In DC Ruled Homicide By Blunt Force Injuries: MPD
Maryland Toddler's Death In DC Ruled Homicide By Blunt Force Injuries: MPD An autopsy determined that a Maryland toddler found dead in Washington, DC was due to blunt force trauma, according to the Metropolitan Police Department. Late on Saturday night, Upper Marlboro native Journee Moore was the subject of an emergency call in Northwest DC after going into cardiac arrest. According to police, officers were called at around 10:50 p.m. on Sept. 28 to a home in the 3700 block of Connecticut Avenue NW, where they found the 1-year-old suffering from critical injuries. Moore was rushed to an area hospital by DC Fire and EMS personnel, where the child would later be pr…
'Endangered' Teen Reported Missing For Days In Prince William County 'Endangered' Teen Reported Missing For Days In Prince William County
'Endangered' Teen Reported Missing For Days In Prince William County Recognize him?  The Prince William County Police Department has issued an alert to the community as they attempt to track down a 17-year-old who has been missing for days out of Woodbridge. An alert was issued by the agency regarding Phoenix Marsalis Lewis, who was reported missing on Wednesday, Sept. 25 and is considered an endangered juvenile, according to police. He was last seem leaving his home on Pearson Drive in Woodbridge. Officials said that "during the ongoing investigation, detectives received additional information, which has prompted (Lewis) to now be considered end…
Woman, 72, Reported Missing In Virginia For Days Found Dead, Police Say Woman, 72, Reported Missing In Virginia For Days Found Dead, Police Say
Woman, 72, Reported Missing In Virginia For Days Found Dead, Police Say A 72-year-old woman who was reported missing in Virginia on Thursday morning has been found dead, police say, though no foul play is suspected in her death.  On Thursday, Sept. 26, an alert was issued by the Fairfax County Police Department regarding Sylvia Hunt, who was last seen days ago on Monday, Sept. 23 in the 5800 block of Aspen Wood Court in McLean. At the time, police noted that Hunt was considered endangered due to mental and physical health concerns. Shortly after 7 p.m. on Thursday night, the police issued a new announcement advising that Hunt was found dead. Detectives from t…
Residents Escape Burning Home Through Second-Story Window In VA; Five Treated For Burns Residents Escape Burning Home Through Second-Story Window In VA; Five Treated For Burns
Residents Escape Burning Home Through Second-Story Window In VA; Five Treated For Burns Some residents had to make a bold escape from a fiery home and five people were treated for burns following an early morning fire in Manassas. Crews from the City of Manassas Fire and Rescue Department were called to a house fire at around 5:30 a.m. on Thursday morning, where they were met by fire showing from the first and second floors of the building with multiple burn victims that had to escape from a second-story window. Four occupants were transported to the burn center in DC and one transported to a local hospital. Their conditions was not available late on Thursday afternoon. The c…
Repeat Offenders From DMV Sentenced For Robbery Of Check-Cashing Business In Virginia: Feds Repeat Offenders From DMV Sentenced For Robbery Of Check-Cashing Business In Virginia: Feds
Repeat Offenders From DMV Sentenced For Robbery Of Check-Cashing Business In Virginia: Feds Two men in the DMV who have a lengthy rap sheet in Maryland and Virginia will spend time in prison following the armed robbery of a Chantilly check-cashing business, federal authorities announced this week. In November 2023, Chester Lewis, 49, of Oxon Hill, and Al Gibran Taylor, 42, of Reston walked into the store with the intention of robbing it of cash, which had previously been scoped out by the Maryland resident.  During that robbery, prosecutors say that Lewis was armed with a .223/5.56 mm caliber semi-automatic rifle, which he pointed at customers and ordered them to pu…
Harrisburg Man Took 5-Year-Old To VA, NY For Sex: USDOJ Harrisburg Man Took 5-Year-Old To VA, NY For Sex: USDOJ
Harrisburg Man Took 5-Year-Old To VA, NY For Sex: Usdoj A 54-year-old Pennsylvania man has been sentenced after admitting to taking a 5-year-old girl for sex in Virginia and New York, the US Department of Justice announced on Wednesday, Sept. 25.  John Oathout, of Harrisburg, PA, was sentenced by Chief United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes in Syracuse, NY on Friday, Sept. 20. He'll serve 25 years in federal prison followed by 20 years of supervised release, and he'll be a registered sex offender for the remainder of his life, according to the USDOJ release.  Oathout admitted to taking the 5-year-old girl on trips out of state w…
Ex-Con Found Guilty Of Shooting Transgender Sex Partner Just After Sex Act: Feds Ex-Con Found Guilty Of Shooting Transgender Sex Partner Just After Sex Act: Feds
Ex-Con Found Guilty Of Shooting Transgender Sex Partner Just After Sex Act: Feds An ex-con from Washington DC has been convicted of shooting a transgender victim following a sexual act, federal authorities announced. Jerry Tyree, who has previous weapon and drug convictions in Maryland and the District, was found guilty by a Superior Court jury of aggravated assault while armed for shooting his victim in November last year in Northeast DC.  Court documents state that Tyree met his victim at the intersection of Eastern Avenue NE and Foote Street NE shortly before 2 p.m., on Nov. 29, 2023, where they negotiated a price for oral sex. The two then walked to …
Inmate Found Dead Inside Fairfax County Adult Detention Center, Police Say Inmate Found Dead Inside Fairfax County Adult Detention Center, Police Say
Inmate Found Dead Inside Fairfax County Adult Detention Center, Police Say A death investigation has been launched by police after an inmate was found dead inside the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center. Investigators have identified 37-year-old John Boos as the person who is now the subject of a probe at the facility after being found unresponsive in a single cell late on Saturday, Sept. 21.  According to the Fairfax County Police Department, deputies at the jail performed life-saving measures until paramedics arrived to transport Boos to the hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Boos' body has since been taken to Office of the Chief Medical Exami…
Handgun-Wielding Virginia Man Who Pointed Gun At Driver On I-95 In Maryland Arrested: State PD Handgun-Wielding Virginia Man Who Pointed Gun At Driver On I-95 In Maryland Arrested: State PD
Handgun-Wielding Virginia Man Who Pointed Gun At Driver On I-95 In Maryland Arrested: State PD A 34-year-old Virginia man has been arrested months after a road-rage incident in Maryland that saw him threatening another driver on I-95 in Prince George's County. In early February, Maryland State Police troopers responded to a reported road rage incident involving Fairfax County resident Joshua John Cook, 34, who was caught on camera pointing a gun at a second motorist. According to police, on Feb. 2, troopers were called to investigate an incident involving a black Ford F-150 whose driver reportedly pointed a gun at another driver in the area of I-95 and Route 1, which was captured on …
Arborist Electrocuted Cutting Tres In Virginia: Police Arborist Electrocuted Cutting Tres In Virginia: Police
Arborist Electrocuted Cutting Tres In Virginia: Police An arborist was killed on the job while chopping tres in Alexandria, officials confirmed on Sunday. Shortly after 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21, members of the Alexandria Fire and Police departments were called to the unit block of West Mount Ida Avenue, where there was report of a worker suffering from injuries after coming into contact with an electrical wire. Investigators say that upon arrival, crews found the arborist unresponsive, and the initial probe found that a branch in the tree he was trimming made contact with a live power line. Dominion Power responded to assist in clear…
Stalker Accused Of Sexually Assault Barber Shop Employee In Prince William County, Police Say Stalker Accused Of Sexually Assault Barber Shop Employee In Prince William County, Police Say
Stalker Accused Of Sexually Assault Barber Shop Employee In Prince William County, Police Say A man who couldn't take "no" for an answer is facing charges in Prince William County after allegedly sexually abusing an employee and continuing to harass her, police say. Woodbridge resident Jose Walter Molina Castro was arrested this week following an investigation into the reported sexual assault of a 55-year-old employee at Clipper Barber Shop. Officers from the Prince William County Police Department were called to the barber shop to investigate after a female employee accused Molina Castro of inappropriately touching her inside the business. The woman was able to get free from&…
Man Wanted For Child Sex Abuse In Maryland Busted Boarding Flight At Dulles Airport In VA: CBP Man Wanted For Child Sex Abuse In Maryland Busted Boarding Flight At Dulles Airport In VA: CBP
Man Wanted For Child Sex Abuse In Maryland Busted Boarding Flight At Dulles Airport In VA: CBP A Maryland man was close to making his great escape, but the suspect wanted in connection to child sexual abuse claim was stopped before he could board an international flight at Dulles Airpot this week, officials say. Milton Ovidio Martinez Hernandez was arrested this week by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officers as the Honduran native - wanted in Maryland for felony child sex abuse charges - attempted to get on a flight to Panama. According to investigators, Martinez Hernandez, who was wanted in Montgomery County for multiple counts of sexual abuse of a minor and child fond…
Pilot Of Small Plane Injured In Virginia Crash (DEVELOPING) Pilot Of Small Plane Injured In Virginia Crash (DEVELOPING)
Pilot Of Small Plane Injured In Virginia Crash (Developing) The pilot of a small plane that went down in Virginia on Thursday afternoon suffered injuries after being forced to make an emergency crash landing in a Fredericksburg field after a mechanical failure, officials say. Virginia State Police troopers were called to the 14500 bock of Spring Mill Road in Fredericsburg, where there was a reported crash involving a pilot of a single-engine Cessna plane that made an emergency landing, but not before taking out several trees. According to state police investigators, the 79-year-old pilot suffered serious injuries in the crash, but is expected to sur…
Caregiver Charged With Child Neglect After Infant Scalded By Hot Water In PWC, Police Say Caregiver Charged With Child Neglect After Infant Scalded By Hot Water In PWC, Police Say
Caregiver Charged With Child Neglect After Infant Scalded By Hot Water In PWC, Police Say A caretaker that had her hands full and left a baby unattended who suffered severe injuries in Prince William County is facing criminal charges, police say. Faustina Hawah Seidu, 51, was arrested and charged with felony child neglect following an investigation into an incident that left a 10-month-old infant with burn wounds from scalding water. According to a spokesperson from the Prince William County Police Department, this week, detectives concluded the investigation into a child neglect incident that was reported over the summer in the Orchard Mills Apartment complex in the 3200 block …
Correctional Officer Who Conspired With Inmate In VA; Sex Trafficked Woman, Gets Prison Time Correctional Officer Who Conspired With Inmate In VA; Sex Trafficked Woman, Gets Prison Time
Correctional Officer Who Conspired With Inmate In VA; Sex Trafficked Woman, Gets Prison Time The former Fairfax County Sheriff's deputy who conspired with inmates to distribute contraband at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center will be spending years on the other side of the steel bars. Robert Theodore Sanford, Jr., 37, was sentenced to six years and six months in prison after accepting bribes at the facility and for sexually trafficking a woman out of an apartment he rented, "for his own financial gain and sexual gratification," federal authorities announced this week. Between May 2021 and June 2023, Sanford was a correctional officer at the Adult Detention Center, and during…
Teen Charged For Sending Threatening Text Messages Targeting Students In Virginia: Police Teen Charged For Sending Threatening Text Messages Targeting Students In Virginia: Police
Teen Charged For Sending Threatening Text Messages Targeting Students In Virginia: Police Technology got the better of a teenager in Virginia who is now facing charges for allegedly sending questionable text messages to a crisis line threatening to harm students, police say. The Leesburg Police Department announced on Thursday morning that a minor has been charged with making threats via electronic communication following a weeklong investigation that was launched following an early morning stream of consciousness last week. Investigators say that shortly after 12:15 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 11, the Leesburg Police Department was alerted to a series of text messages which "…
DOJ Sues Cargo Ship Owner Over Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse In Maryland DOJ Sues Cargo Ship Owner Over Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse In Maryland
DOJ Sues Cargo Ship Owner Over Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse In Maryland The Department of Justice is seeking $100 million from the Singapore-based company that owned and operated the cargo ship that destroyed the Francis Scott Key Bridge earlier this year. In March, the DALI left the Port of Baltimore bound for Sri Lanka, and when passing through the Fort McHenry Channel, the vessel lost power, regained the power, then lost it again before striking the bridge, which collapsed. Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse Baltimore Police Department The bridge collapsed into the water below, killing six people, and the remnants of the fatal crash obstructed the cha…
Fugitive Wanted For Murdering 18-Year-Old Woman In PWC Busted By Feds In MA, Police Say Fugitive Wanted For Murdering 18-Year-Old Woman In PWC Busted By Feds In MA, Police Say
Fugitive Wanted For Murdering 18-Year-Old Woman In PWC Busted By Feds In MA, Police Say A suspect has been arrested more than a month after an 18-year-old woman was found shot to death near a wooded area over the summer in Prince William County, police say. Ashlin Yamileth Paz, who has no fixed address, was found with fatal gunshot wounds in Manassas in August in what "does not appear to be a random" incident. On Wednesday, Aug 14, detectives announced that they have identified 20-year-old German Joseth Torres Lizama as a suspect who is now wanted for murder and other offenses. A blue Hyundai Elantra that was sought in connection to the investigation was also found in Fairfax…
Driver Who 'Inflicted Terror On Communities' During Multi-County Police Pursuit Sentenced In VA Driver Who 'Inflicted Terror On Communities' During Multi-County Police Pursuit Sentenced In VA
Driver Who 'Inflicted Terror On Communities' During Multi-County Police Pursuit Sentenced In VA A Leesburg man who was super-powered by methamphetamine during a wild police chase that spanned more than 30 minutes through multiple counties was given a sentence above the state's guidelines, authorities announced. Joseph Christopher Daniel has been sentenced to more than six years in prison following an investigation into a reported stolen motorcycle and multiple instances of eluding that led to warrants for his arrest.  According to the Loudoun County Commonwealth's Attorney, late in October 2023, Daniel took police on a harrowing high-speed chase from Loudoun into Fairfax that "te…
Husband, Au Pair Now Both Charged In Violent Virginia Double Murder: County Officials Husband, Au Pair Now Both Charged In Violent Virginia Double Murder: County Officials
Husband, Au Pair Now Both Charged In Violent Virginia Double Murder: County Officials A grand jury in Fairfax County has indicted Brendan Banfield following a 19-month investigation into the murder of his wife and another man in February 2023, authorities announced on Monday. Banfield has been charged with multiple counts of murder after detectives recently uncovered new information that connected him to the deaths of wife Christine Banfield, 37, and Joseph Ryan, 24, last year. Commonwealth's Attorney Steve Descano said that Banfield is accused of stabbing his wife, and then shooting Ryan early on Feb. 24, 2023 inside their Reston home. "Early last year, a double murder dev…
Two Men Get 100+ Years For Nine Day Shooting Spree That Ended With 13-Year-Old's Death: Feds Two Men Get 100+ Years For Nine Day Shooting Spree That Ended With 13-Year-Old's Death: Feds
Two Men Get 100+ Years For Nine Day Shooting Spree That Ended With 13-Year-Old's Death: Feds Two men will spend the rest of their lives in prison for a nine-day shooting spree throughout the DMV region that resulted in the death of a teenage boy, federal authorities announced. Tyiion Freeman, 25, and Koran Jackson, 24, both of DC, have each been sentenced to more than 100 years in prison in connection to the crime spree that ended with the death of 13-year-old Malachi Lukes in 2020.  Specifically, Freeman was sentenced to 108 years and Jackson received 164 years in prison. A Superior Court jury found the two, and a third conspirator, Stephon Nelson guilty in July of:  …
Former DoD Deputy Chief Admitted To Operating Dogfighting Kennel, Electrocuting Dogs For Losing Former DoD Deputy Chief Admitted To Operating Dogfighting Kennel, Electrocuting Dogs For Losing
Former DoD Deputy Chief Admitted To Operating Dogfighting Kennel, Electrocuting Dogs For Losing A Maryland man who used to serve as a Department of Defense deputy chief admitted to his role in a violent dogfighting ring that involved him electrocuting animals who lost, federal authorities announced. Frederick Douglass Moorefield, Jr., 63, pleaded guilty to federal charges that include conspiracy to engage in animal fighting, specifically the fighting of dogs, and interstate travel in aid of racketeering. According to the guilty plea, federal agents began investigating Moorefield’s connections to dogfighting after officers from Anne Arundel County Animal Control responded to a rep…
Former DC Police Officers Sentenced For Causing Pursuit That Killed New Father Former DC Police Officers Sentenced For Causing Pursuit That Killed New Father
Former DC Police Officers Sentenced For Causing Pursuit That Killed New Father Two former members of the Metropolitan Police Department will spend years on the other side of the bars after being sentenced for their roles in an unauthorized police pursuit that resulted in the death of a 20-year-old new father, federal authorities announced. Officer Terence Sutton, 40, and former Lt. Andrew Zabavsky, 56, were both found guilty by a US District Court jury in DC on multiple charges in connection to a police pursuit on Oct. 23, 2020, in Northwest DC that led to the death of Karon Hylton-Brown. This week, a federal judge announced that Sutton had been sentenced to 66 months…
Baltimore County Woman Arrested For Pro-Gaza Demonstration Outside Union Station In DC Baltimore County Woman Arrested For Pro-Gaza Demonstration Outside Union Station In DC
Baltimore County Woman Arrested For Pro-Gaza Demonstration Outside Union Station In DC A 20-year-old Baltimore County woman was arrested on Friday morning and charged for her role using spray paint in July to deface federal property at Columbus Circle outside Union Station in Northeast DC, federal authorities announced. Towson native Isabella Giordano was taken into custody on Sept. 13, and is scheduled to make her initial court appearance later on Friday, when she will be charged with willfully injuring or depredating any property of the United States. According to court documents, on Wednesday, July 24, an organization was granted a permit to demonstrate in the ar…