By Sarah Roderick Fitch
(The Center Square) – The cases against two men from Jordan accused of illegally attempting to enter Quantico Marine base have been dismissed.
The U.S. Department of Justice filed motions to dismiss charges filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia on Oct. 3. A federal judge ordered that the matter be dismissed “without prejudice.”
In earlier court appearances, the Jordanians identified as Hasan Y. Hamdan and Mohammad K. Dabous were released after being charged with misdemeanors stemming from a May 3 incident for attempting to “trespass” on the headquarters of the U.S. Marine Corps, home of the FBI Training Academy and the military’s top criminal investigative agencies.
The case garnered national attention, including pleas from Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who demanded answers from President Joe Biden’s administration. The duo’s identities were finally disclosed at the end of July following exhausted efforts made by congressional leaders in addition to Youngkin.
Prior to the recent dismissal, the Department of Justice accused the pair of “unlawfully go[ing] upon a military installation for a purpose prohibited by law, to wit: knowingly and intentionally entering Marine Corps Base Quantico,” according to court documents.
During their July court appearance, Hamdan and Dabous were granted release upon condition to appear for “all future court appearances,” including immigration appearances they have “pending.” They were ordered “not further trespass on Marine Corps Base Quantico or any other military installation.”
Potomac Local News first reported the May incident. The pair claimed to be Amazon subcontractors while attempting to enter the base; the truck driver reportedly ignored commands by security officials to wait while officers tried to identify the men, who did not have identification. The driver then “hit the gas” and hit a barricade deployed to stop the truck, according to sources.
The breach has been the focus of multiple congressional investigations into similar incidents reported at various U.S. military installations, demanding answers from the federal government.
Fredericksburg Police are investigating a pedestrian accident on November 18, 2024, where a 50-year-old man was struck by a vehicle on Fall Hill Avenue and critically injured. The driver remained at the scene, and the investigation is ongoing.
Press Release from Fredericksburg Police:
Fredericksburg Police are currently investigating a pedestrian accident that took place on the evening of November 18, 2024, at approximately 5:31 p.m.
The victim, Cesareo Jurado Coca, a 50-year-old man, of Fredericksburg, was crossing the travel lanes when he was struck by a vehicle traveling eastbound in the 3300 block of Fall Hill Avenue. He sustained critical injuries and was transported to the nearest hospital, where he is currently receiving medical care. His family has been notified.
The driver of the vehicle remained at the scene and cooperated with the preliminary investigation. There were no indicators of impairment, and the driver did not sustain any injuries in the crash.
The police department’s traffic reconstruction team is conducting an investigation. As more information becomes available, we will provide further updates.
Press release:
Virginia State Police is investigating a two-vehicle fatal crash in Stafford County. The crash occurred Saturday (Nov. 16), at 4:04 a.m. on southbound Interstate 95 at the 146-mile marker.
A 2018 Volvo XC90 was traveling in the wrong direction on I95 when it collided head-on with a southbound 2014 Chevrolet Cruze. The impact caused the Volvo to overturn.
The driver of the Volvo, Jibril N. Ibn Jeter, 48, of Fort Washington, Md., suffered serious injuries and was transported to Inova Fairfax Hospital for treatment. He was wearing a seatbelt.
The driver of the Chevrolet, Patrick C. Ledoux, 25, of Manassas, Va., died at the scene. He was wearing a seatbelt.
A passenger in the Chevrolet, a 28-year-old male from Manassas, Va., suffered serious injuries and was transported to Inova Fairfax Hospital for treatment. He was wearing a seatbelt.
Ibn Jeter has been charged with involuntary manslaughter; driving under the influence but continues to receive treatment at the hospital. Once he is released from the hospital he will be transported to the Rappahannock Regional Jail, where he will be held without bond. Additional charges are pending.
Three additional vehicles crashed while attempting to avoid a collision with the Volvo. One of those drivers was transported to Mary Washington Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
It’s unknown where the Volvo entered I-95 traveling in the wrong direction.
All southbound travel lanes were closed for approximately 5 hours for the investigation and cleanup. VDOT assisted with the roadway closure and detour.
The crash remains under investigation.
Watch: This is the wrong way driver on I-95S between Quantico and Aquia early this morning that @VSPPIO say caused a crash that killed one person and seriously injured two others. The crash was near the 146 MM in Stafford County just after a.m. This video is from a traffic… pic.twitter.com/sUQXWpP1FC
— Dave Statter (@STATter911) November 17, 2024
Fredericksburg Police are investigating a pedestrian accident that occurred on Plank Road on November 16, resulting in the death of a 26-year-old man. The driver of the truck involved remained at the scene, and no signs of impairment were found.
Press Release from Fredericksburg Police:
Fredericksburg Police are currently investigating a pedestrian accident that took place early [yesterday] morning at 6:20 a.m. on the eastbound lanes of Plank Road.
The victim, Joe Anthony Palacios, a 26-year-old man with no permanent address, was walking eastbound in the travel lane of the 2800 block of Plank Road when he was struck by a truck. He sustained severe injuries and was transported to the nearest hospital for emergency care. Unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries at 10:43 a.m. [yesterday] morning.
The driver remained at the scene of the incident and cooperated during the preliminary investigation. There were no indicators of impairment and the driver did not sustain any injuries in the crash.
The medical examiner’s office has begun its investigation. The police department’s traffic reconstruction team is also investigating. Further updates will be released at a later date.
The next of kin has been notified, and we extend our deepest condolences to his family during this difficult time.
Noon update — From Virignia State Police:
At 4:05 a.m. Saturday (Nov. 16), Virginia State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on southbound Interstate 95 at the 146 mile-marker in Stafford County. A Volvo SUV was traveling in the wrong direction on I95 when it collided head-on with a southbound Chevrolet sedan. There was one fatality and two serious injuries as a result of the crash. All southbound travel lanes were closed for approximately 5 hours for the investigation and cleanup. VDOT assisted with the roadway closure and detour.
More as we have it.
Update 11 a.m — From VDOT:Â
All lanes of Interstate 95 southbound have reopened at mile marker 146 in Stafford County. An earlier vehicle crash has been cleared. The detour at exit 148 (Quantico) has been lifted.
Motorists should expect residual delays on I-95 southbound approaching the exit 148 (Quantico) area and along Route 1 southbound between Russell Road in the Quantico area and Route 610 (Garrisonville Road) in Stafford.
Original post 7:13 a.m. — A vehicle crash early this morning has closed all southbound lanes on Interstate 95 near mile marker 146, just south of exit 148 (Quantico). The crash occurred shortly before dawn, and emergency response crews swiftly closed the highway to address the incident.
Southbound traffic is being diverted at exit 148 onto Route 1 southbound, where motorists can re-enter I-95 at exit 143 (Aquia/Garrisonville) in Stafford County. To ease congestion on the detour route, traffic signals along Route 1 have been retimed to accommodate the increased volume of vehicles. As of 5:47 a.m., delays on I-95 southbound before exit 148 were one mile.
At 6:52 a.m., officials announced that a single southbound lane would be temporarily opened to allow motorists caught between the crash site and Exit 148 to clear the area. All other traffic remains detoured.
Drivers traveling through the area should expect delays and are encouraged to seek alternate routes. We will provide updates on the situation as they become available.
Crash investigators obtained an arrest warrant on November 13 for Neil Jostin Stagnaro Riega, 30, of Meadowbrook Road in Woodbridge, charging him with involuntary manslaughter. Stagnaro Riega surrendered to authorities on November 15 and was held on a $4,000 secured bond.
The crash occurred on October 17 at 6:37 a.m. on Mapledale Avenue near Miles Court. Police say Stagnaro Riega was driving a 2020 Nissan Versa at more than 20 miles per hour over the posted 25 mph speed limit in a residential zone. His vehicle left the roadway, mounted the sidewalk, and struck Maria Isabel Cardozo, who was walking her dog at the time, police said. Cardozo was pronounced dead at the scene.
The dog was later found unharmed near Cardozo’s residence. Stagnaro Riega remained at the scene following the crash and was not injured. Investigators determined that alcohol and drugs were not factors in the incident.
Court proceedings for Stagnaro Riega are pending.
The Stafford County School Board has announced a special meeting scheduled for Monday, November 18, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. to discuss the potential appointment of a new division superintendent. The meeting will be held at the Alvin York Bandy Administrative Complex at 31 Stafford Avenue in Stafford.
If confirmed, the new superintendent will become the fifth to lead Stafford County Public Schools (SCPS) in the past 15 years.
The appointment follows Dr. Thomas W. Taylor’s departure as superintendent in June 2024. Shortly after Taylor’s resignation, the School Board convened a special meeting on June 18, at which it unanimously appointed Chris R. Fulmer as Acting Superintendent.
Fulmer, a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) has been with SCPS for 12 years and has served as Deputy Superintendent since 2019. During his tenure, he has played a pivotal role in overseeing school operations and collaborating with staff and community stakeholders to advance educational initiatives.
Before his time with SCPS, Fulmer gained extensive experience in public accounting, conducting financial audits for government entities, including school systems. This background in financial management and accountability has been instrumental in shaping his approach to leadership within Stafford County schools.
Update 5:13 p.m. — From Prince William police:
The shooting reported in Cara Dr has been determined to be self-inflicted. There is no ongoing threat in the community.
Original post 3:43 p.m — From Prince William police:
*INCIDENT: #Shooting | #Woodbridge;#PWCPD is investigating a shooting in the 12700 block of Cara Dr. One victim located, unknown extent of injuries. Area is contained, officers are on scene. Report suspicious persons and activity to police. pic.twitter.com/xI4jL6A5Fw
— Prince William County Police Department (@PWCPolice) November 15, 2024
More as we have it.
In an unexpected email to his team, Johnson explained that family obligations were leading him back to South Carolina. This Friday, November 15, 2024, will be his final day. He was hired August 28, 2023.
Stafford County Public Schools’ transportation woes have been the source of significant disruption, frustration, and, frankly, a lot of unanswered questions. The division notified parents of the transportation breakdown hours before school resumed, leaving families scrambling. Despite an August meeting in which the school board addressed these issues, parents are still waiting to see what corrective actions have been implemented.
Johnson’s Departure and His Message to the Team
In his farewell letter, Johnson thanked his team, regretted not sharing the news in person, and affirmed his commitment to family responsibilities. He highlighted his pride in the department’s achievements but noted that sometimes, family must come first.
While Johnson’s departure may be due to personal reasons, it also comes at a time of intense scrutiny on Stafford County’s transportation department. Under his leadership, the department had ambitious goals: implementing new routing software, hiring and training new staff, and optimizing routes to better serve students. Unfortunately, a rocky rollout of new technology, compounded by staffing shortages, has led to significant setbacks that still impact students and families.
What Went Wrong?
The core of Stafford County’s transportation issues seems rooted in systemic problems within the planning and execution of new technology, along with staffing and operational inefficiencies. At the heart of the issue was a new routing software system, introduced with high hopes but ultimately underprepared for the realities of a bustling school district.
Stafford’s transition to this software was necessary; the previous system was outdated and unable to meet the district’s needs. However, this “solution” soon became a significant problem. On August 27, 2024, Interim Superintendent Chris Fulmer noted that the software lacked extensive testing for real-world scenarios. Rushed implementation and insufficient training compounded these issues, leaving bus drivers and coordinators struggling to manage routes and respond to sudden changes.
The crisis differed from two years ago when the school division failed to meet the district’s transportation needs due to a lack of bus drivers.
Calls for Accountability
The transportation failures have had real consequences. Students missed critical class time, families faced disrupted schedules, and many lost confidence in the system. Parents continue to voice safety concerns, citing early morning waits at bus stops and inconsistent route information.
The board has discussed various changes, from expanded walk zones to a crisis communication plan, to better manage parent expectations. They have also acknowledged the need for an independent transportation department review to ensure unbiased solutions. However, the review has not been mentioned since, and recent monthly school board agendas have been void of anything related to school bus transportation.
Board member Elizabeth Warner said on August 27, 2024: “We owe our families transparency and accountability. They deserve a system they can rely on, one that doesn’t leave them scrambling at the last minute.”
