Lake Ridge neighbors outraged at murders of two counselors

Ronald Dorsey, Jr. was not a suspect following the disappearance and murder of Lizeth Lopez, 36, in April.

Lopez, an employee of Intercept Youth Services, Inc. — a private firm that provided housing and counseling for at-risk teens and adults inside Dominion Middle Ridge Apartments just off Smoketown Road in Lake Ridge, disappeared April 19. Her body was found 10 days later in a nearby sewer.

Until August 5 police had no suspect in her murder and were considering three possible motives: 1. A domestic situation turned bad. 2. Her death was a random crime of opportunity for her killer. 3. Her death was possibly work related.

Authorities went with the latter motive when the body of Erica Hickson, 37, also a counselor at Intercept Youth Services, Inc.– was found in the woods behind the apartment complex. She was reported missing to police that same day.

Dorsey was quickly charged with murdering both women. Investigators said he killed both counselors on the apartment complex property and then hid their bodies.

Both victims were strangled to death. It’s still unclear if the women were sexually assaulted.

Police and elected officials Tuesday night stood in front of hundreds of Lake Ridge residents who were shocked and outraged at the murders of two innocent women. They demanded answers, though police were limited on the amount of information due to the nature of the ongoing criminal investigation.

“It’s important that we follow a process, and that process is progress. We charged a person, he is charged with a crime; we met with a prosecutor, and the court process will begin,” said Prince William police Chief Barry Barnard. “This will be a long criminal justice process, and in courts is where we will discuss evidence at that time.”

Dorsey was interviewed following Lopez’s death in April, but detectives told the crowd gathered at Old Bridge United Methodist Church Tuesday that, at the time, they didn’t have enough evidence to charge him with the crime.

Despite an increased police presence outside Dominion Middle Ridge Apartments following Hickson’s death, police are adamant that they have their sole suspect in custody.

Residents said the murders shocked many in the neighborhood. Some stated that they now walk their dogs with a taser in hand for self-defense, while others wanted to know why Intercept Youth Services, Inc.was allowed to operate at the apartment complex without notifying the public.

Landlords are not required by law to provide such notification of these types of programs, said DJ Jordan, who serves on the Virginia State Social Services Board, He called the series of murders “extremely rare.”

“I’ve spoken with several officials at social services in Richmond today, and they cannot remember a case like this,” Jordan told the crowd.

Intercept Youth Services will now close following Dorsey’s arrest. The suspect lived in one of four apartments at Dominion Middle Ridge that the company used to house its at-risk clients. A fifth unit apartment was used a business office, police said. 

Dorsey lived with a roommate a the apartment complex, where he also received counseling. The rules stipulated those involved with the Intercept Youth Services, Inc.program and living in the apartments had to be going to school or be employed, police said. 

The Prince William County Department of Social Services contracted with Intercept Youth Services, Inc.for 16 years.

“We have used Intercept Youth Services with great success in the past,” explained social services director Courtney Tierney. “These services are provided to teens that reach adulthood without a family placement, or who are in need of more skills before the transition to adulthood.” 

The closure of the Intercept Youth Services facility will mean at least seven at-risk youth will be sent back to a social worker who will be charged with finding them a new temporary home. Others who spoke Tuesday night urged residents not to “let one bad apple ruin the whole bunch” when it comes to their impressions of at-risk children.

“This is your community. You have to step up and mentor these young people, or else they will end up on the streets panhandling,” said Derrick Riggins, who grew up in a foster home. “Go ask any kid in the system and ask them to name five people in their lives who aren’t paid to be in their lives. I’ll bet they can’t, but they will remember that mentor who volunteered to be with them for a few hours a week.”