In a recent episode of Potomac Local Live, I talked with Prince William County Supervisor Yesli Vega about various pressing issues affecting the county. Our conversation focused on crime trends, community safety initiatives, and policy responses to local challenges such as panhandling.

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Prince William County

In March 2024, detectives launched an investigation into multiple sexual assaults in Woodbridge, Prince William County, involving a female victim under 18 and her acquaintance, Keith Richard Wilson, who allegedly assaulted her on several occasions, including in a commuter parking lot. Wilson, who had a supervisory role over the victim in the Civil Air Patrol, was charged with two counts of indecent liberties and turned himself in on July 22; his court date is pending, and he was released on a $25,000 unsecured bond.

Sexual Assault Investigation – On April 5 at 2:51PM, detectives began an investigation into sexual assaults that were reported to have occurred in the Woodbridge area of Prince Wiliam County in March 2024. The investigation revealed the female victim, who was under the age of 18 at the time of the offenses, was sexually assaulted by an acquaintance, identified as the accused, on more than one occasion. One incident occurred in a vehicle at the Occoquan Commuter Lot located near Gordon Blvd. and Old Bridge Rd., while a separate incident occurred in a parking lot located in the 5100 block of Dale Blvd. The victim later reported the incidents to a family member who contacted the police. The victim and accused were both members of the Civil Air Patrol at the time of the offenses where the accused had a supervisory role over the victim. Following the investigation, detectives obtained arrest warrants for the accused, identified as Keith Richard WILSON, who turned himself in to police on July 22.

Arrested on July 22:
Keith Richard WILSON, 48, of 2919 Madeira Ct. in Woodbridge
Charged with 2 counts of indecent liberties by a person in a supervisory relationship Court Date: Pending | Bond: $25,000 Unsecured

On July 22, police were called to the Longview Condominiums in Woodbridge after a Good Samaritan found a 6-year-old girl unsupervised and poorly clothed. Following the investigation, the mother, Lidia Violeta Perez, returned home and was charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor; she has been released on a court summons with a pending court date.

Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor – On July 22 at 5:42AM, officers responded to the Longview Condominium complex located in the 13600 block of Lynn St. in Woodbridge (22191) to investigate a found child. The investigation revealed a Good Samaritan located the victim, a 6-year-old girl, outside unsupervised wearing insufficient clothing. While investigating the incident, the mother of the child, identified as the accused, returned home. The child was unharmed and turned over to known parties. Following the investigation, the accused, identified as Lidia Violeta PEREZ, was charged.

Charged on July 22: [No Photo Available]
Lidia Violeta PEREZ, 30, of the 13600 block of Lynn St. in Woodbridge
Charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor
Court Date: Pending | Status: Released on a Court Summons

In Prince William County, a catch-and-release style revolving justice system keeps more criminals on the street in the name of fairness.

A shooting at Manassas Mall on July 9, 2024, left two people injured, including one of five suspects in the case, underscores a more significant problem with the justice system in a much more progressive Prince William County.

At odds are those who want to reform the judicial process to make it more fair for criminals and those who wish to prosecute crime to get them off the streets for a determinate period. Caught in the middle are county residents.

Revolving Justice System and Its Implications

In a July 10 letter to her constituents, Coles District Supervisor Yesli Vega, whose district borders the Manassas mall, highlighted two cases where individuals previously accused of felony offenses were released from custody and re-offended. In the mall shooting, she highlighted that 18-year-old Daevon Russell, one of the individuals involved in the gun battle that left a shooter and a bystander wounded, had been previously arrested after an August 2023 shooting for reckless handling of a gun causing permanent bodily severe injury, a felony.

Court records show Russell went to a classmate’s house and shot the cousin of the classmate, who was also inside the home, without provocation. Russell ran from the home, leaving the victim there to bleed. The victim went into cardiac arrest several times on the life flight to Inova Fairfax Hospital, where doctors were able to stop the bleeding and save his life.

Controversial Decisions and Judicial Diversion

When the case went to court, Judge Petula C. Metzer, on a recommendation from county Commonwealth Attorney Amy Ashworth, released Russell with nothing more than a promise to appear and the stipulations that he “not consume intoxicants and have no contact with the victim.” Ashworth claimed her office argued for no bond at a previous hearing, but she could not produce the bond document to prove her claim.

There was no stipulation in Metzler’s order to not possess or carry a firearm. Russell is now accused of going to the mall armed and getting into an altercation in the food court that escalated to shots fired between the two groups.

In a separate case in her letter, Vega highlighted Arial Moya Claros, who has 11 previous charges involving alcohol and family violence over the last two years, before his arrest on July 7, 2024, for felony abduction by force and misdemeanor domestic violence assault and a second driving while intoxicated (DWI) charge.

Six months earlier, in a January 2024 case, Claros’ landlord sought a restraining order against him after the landlord claimed Claros “took the eviction process personal” and claimed Moya Claros was caught on camera attempting to damage the landlord’s vehicles. A verbal confrontation ensued, and the police responded. The landlord also claimed in his petition for a restraining order that Claros followed his pre-teen daughter home, and she had to hide and call her parents because she was scared.

Claros’ case was adjudicated in a family court diversion program in the two earlier domestic violence instances. Had he been convicted in either of the other domestic violence cases, he would be facing a Class Six felony charge for the Domestic Violence assault, which carries a penalty of up to 20 years in jail.

Now, he faces only a misdemeanor assault charge because there were no convictions in the earlier cases, for which carries a much lighter potential sentence. Despite his history of violence and the escalation of violence with this same victim, Claros was released within hours of his arrest on a simple promise to appear.

Commonwealth Attorney Amy Ashworth points to Virginia law that judges only consider convictions, not pre-trial adjudications, when making bail decisions. This requirement by the code to only consider convictions and Ashworth’s focus on diversionary programs sidesteps the more intense consequences convictions provide for re-offenders.

Citing a long-standing prohibition on making statements about open cases, Ashworth said that her office “takes domestic violence cases very seriously and would never agree to a bond if [her office] believed the accused was a danger to anyone or there was a risk the accused [would abscond].” She also said that her office makes good faith recommendations to the judges regarding bail and diversion, but “the Judges unfortunately do not issue reasons for the decisions that they make.”

Diversion Programs vs. Public Safety

Diversion is a broad term referring to alternatives to prosecution that minimize an offender’s exposure to the criminal system by offering an alternative to prosecution and incarceration. These programs bank on an offender’s desire to stay out of jail, to get them on a path to not re-offend.

Diversion programs can help first-time offenders, but experts warn that overusing them for repeat offenders could weaken domestic violence prosecutions. This overuse might unintentionally support the ongoing cycle of violence that victims experience.

Elisa Castillo, director of domestic violence services at Action in Community Through Service (ACTS) in Prince William County, said, “Diversion programs have their place, but some people, for whatever reason, don’t take the chances they are given seriously and jail has to be part of the equation.”

With Ashworth’s election in 2019, county prosecutors shifted focus from a reputation of being tough on crime to a more diversionary justice system that incarcerates fewer criminals and focuses prosecutorial efforts on programs to rehabilitate criminals before they go to jail. The result is a record-low incarceration population in the county lockup and a heavier workload on the probation office.

Prince William County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Terry Fearnley said the jail population hovers around 540 and represents only the worst of the worst offenders. That number is about half of the jail’s average under former county prosecutor Paul Ebert, who retired after 50 years. Under Ebert, the jail averaged 1,000 inmates.

The jail population is not a bellwether of a healthy justice system but can indicate problems. According to Steve Austin, the county’s director of criminal justice services, referrals from the courts to his pretrial release program have risen nearly 19% during Ashworth’s tenure. Yet, recidivism rates, or the number of accused who commit additional crimes, in his programs have increased by two percentage points in the same period.

Ashworth has said that she does not maintain recidivism statistics, so we are unable to compare how many times people not involved in pre-trial supervision re-offend on her watch. In a statement to Potomac Local, Austin said he could not pinpoint why the recidivism rate in his program has increased despite increased staffing and budgeting.

Community Impact and Political Reactions

Supervisor Vega, reserve Prince William sheriff’s deputy, has been critical of Ashworth’s soft-on-crime policies for some time. She highlighted the two cases because they are “but two examples of the catch and release justice system she sees under Ashworth’s watch.” Vega said she has a unique vantage point of the justice system, previously as a patrol cop and now in her reserve capacity working in the courthouse. “I hear complaints from law enforcement officers telling me that they are dismayed how quickly people they arrest for serious crimes are back on the streets within hours of their arrest and back re-offending, and I hear from constituents that are worried about how unsafe our community has become.

Ashworth is a founding member of the Virginia Progressive Prosecutors for Justice (VPPJ), a left-leaning political activist group. VPPJ has been a leading proponent of justice reforms in Virginia that make crime less detrimental for criminals in the name of equal justice.

VPPJ has called for the state legislature to end mandatory minimum sentences and cash bail. A 2021 letter to the General Assembly argued that these reforms would make it more fair for poorer Virginians. Ashworth does not think making the accused put up collateral to leave jail will help criminals return to court, “Requiring a cash bond punishes people for being poor, and it makes bail bond companies rich,” she said.
With the largest prosecutorial team in the commonwealth, Ashworth has made headlines for prosecuting significantly fewer cases and instead focusing on diversionary efforts as an alternative to prosecution. On average, Ashworth’s predecessor, Paul Ebert, prosecuted 350 felony cases monthly. Ashworth comparatively averages to indict 75 125 felonies per month despite a massive influx in funding and personnel.

Her opponents have blamed the lack of prosecutions as the reason for the county’s alarming 70 percent increase in violent crime between 2019 and 2023. In an unsuccessful bid to unseat Ashworth in 2023, Matt Lowery held a press conference highlighting the rise in violent crime last year. “Ms. Ashworth has charted a course virtually identical to the ultra-liberal prosecutors all around us, and Prince William County residents have paid the price with their property, with their health, and even sometimes with their lives,” Lowery said.

In a 2019 interview with Potomac Local News, Ashworth stated that the fair handling of domestic violence cases was one of her top three issues when running for office. “I will assign a senior attorney to exclusively handle domestic violence so we can pay more attention to the serious domestic violence cases and sort out the minor ‘push-and-shove’ cases,” Ashworth said.

According to The National Domestic Violence Hotline, domestic abuse almost always escalates to something bigger without intervention. This escalation appears to be present in the Moya Claros case, where he is now accused of abducting his victim by force- a felony- in his current case.
Russell’s trial on the December charges is set for August 5, 2024. He remains at the Prince William Adult Detention Center with no bond after his arrest for the Manassas Mall incident. He’s scheduled for a preliminary hearing on the mall charges on September 19, 2024.

Moya Claros’ case is set for another adjudication hearing on November 19, 2024. He remains free on a promise to appear.

*This story has been corrected.

The Prince William County Police Department has announced the Fourth Annual Community Fair. The event will occur on Saturday, September 7, from noon to 4 p.m. at Sean Connaughton Plaza, located at the McCoart Government Complex, 1 County Complex Court, Woodbridge.

The fair aims to celebrate diversity and embrace unity within the community. Various public safety departments and agencies will participate, including the police, animal services, fire and rescue, the sheriff’s office, and the Department of Public Safety Communications.

Attendees can expect fun displays and activities, live music, food trucks, and more. The event engages the community with local public safety services and provides an enjoyable experience for all ages.

The announcement highlights the importance of community involvement and the role of public safety in fostering a connected and informed community. Residents are encouraged to contact the Prince William County Police Department for more information.

Spotsylvania County

Early this morning, deputies responded to a shooting in the 11200 block of Ashby Drive, about four miles from Riverbend High School, finding a man and woman with multiple gunshot wounds. The suspect shot the victims during an argument outside their home, ran over the female victim with his vehicle, and later turned himself in, police said. Both victims are in stable condition at a trauma center.

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Updated 3:50 p.m. — Here are the latest police reports from around the area.

Montclair
A 37-year-old man has died after he was struck in a hit-and-run at the Oasis at Montclair Apartment complex in Dumfries on July 20, when an unknown suspect stole his gold Lexus SUV, ran him over and fled the scene—photos in the slideshow above.

Felony Hit & Run – On July 20 at 6:53PM, officers responded to the Oasis at Montclair Apartment complex located in the 16400 block of Stedham Cl. in Dumfries (22025) to investigate a hit and run crash. The investigation revealed the victim, a 37-year-old man, was approached by an unknown individual while he was outside of his vehicle. At one point during the encounter, the suspect got into the victim’s vehicle, a gold Lexus SUV, and began to drive in reverse. The victim grabbed onto the vehicle before the SUV struck a separate unoccupied vehicle before moving forward. As the SUV continued forward, the victim was thrown off and subsequently run over. The suspect drove the stolen SUV out of the area prior to police arriving on the scene. The victim was treated at an area hospital for life-threatening injuries. The investigation continues as detectives attempt to identify and locate the suspect.

Identified:
The deceased pedestrian was identified as Jose VASQUEZ GALVAN, 37, of Dumfries

Vehicle Description:
A 1999 Gold Lexus RX 300 with Virginia license plate: TUW8710
With damage to the rear left bumper area, taillight assembly, and possibly the rear left rim, and two ‘Baby on board’ stickers on the rear of the vehicle

Stafford

The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting that occurred early Sunday morning on Warrenton Road—photos in the slideshow above.

On July 21st at approximately 12:13 a.m. Deputy C.A. Osborne responded to the area of Warrenton Road and Village Parkway for a shooting. The victim advised his vehicle was shot while traveling home. Luckily, the victim was not injured.

Deputies discovered the victim was traveling on Warrenton Road in the area of Plantation Drive and Village Parkway when he noticed a motorcyclist. The victim would merge into the left lane causing the motorcyclist to swerve onto the shoulder. When the victim and motorcyclist stopped at a red light, the motorcyclist would get off his bike and approach the victim. Before words were exchanged, the traffic light turned green and the victim drove off. That is when he heard two “pops.” When the victim arrived home, he would discover his vehicle had two bullet holes in it.

Detectives were notified of the shooting and began their investigation. The motorcyclist was described as wearing a black and white motorcycle jacket with a white helmet. The bike was described as a sports bike. If anyone has any information, please contact Detective K.A. Lawrence at 540-658-4450.

Woodbridge

On July 21 at 5:35 AM in Woodbridge, a black Honda Civic fired shots at a vehicle driven by a 19-year-old man and woman, who sustained minor injuries from shattered glass as they tried to escape, eventually stopping at a local business while the suspect vehicle fled.

Shooting Investigation – On July 21 at 5:35AM, officers responded to the area of Smoketown Rd. and Purdham Dr. in Woodbridge (22192) to investigate a shots fired call. The investigation revealed the victims, a 19-year-old man and woman, were driving in the above area when an occupant in a black Honda Civic fired at their vehicle. When the victim attempted to drive away, the Civic followed and fired additional rounds as the vehicles traveled along Old Bridge Rd. near Smoketown Rd. Eventually, the victims stopped at a local business while the suspect vehicle continued driving away. The victims reported minor injuries from shattered glass. No additional injuries or property damage were reported.

Detectives are searching for a 2017 blue Hyundai Elantra with Virginia license plate TVT-8777 involved in the July 18 homicide of an 18-year-old woman near Manassas. The vehicle was last seen leaving the crime scene, maybe in the Leesburg/Loudoun County area, and anyone with information was urged to contact Prince William County police.

From Prince William police:

Homicide Investigation *SUSPECT VEHICLE SOUGHT – Detectives are seeking the vehicle involved in the homicide that occurred in the area of Pineview Rd and Cregger Ln in Manassas (20111) on July 18. The vehicle was seen leaving the area shortly after the shooting that killed an 18-year-old woman. The vehicle is described as a 2017 blue Hyundai Elantra, sports edition with Virginia license plate TVT-8777. The vehicle is possibly in the Leesburg/Loudoun County area. Detectives are still actively investigating the incident to determine what led up to the shooting and are seeking to speak with anyone who can aid in the investigation. More information will be released when available. The investigation continues.

Identified:

The deceased was identified as Ashlin Yamileth PAZ, 18, of no fixed address.

The Crime Prevention Unit of the Prince William County Police Department is set to host a virtual Community Watch presentation on Monday, July 22, 2024, at 6 p.m. This informative session, which will last approximately one hour, aims to equip residents with the knowledge and tools necessary to enhance community safety.

To participate in the virtual meeting, interested individuals must register by visiting this link and entering the session password “safe.” The Crime Prevention Unit can be reached at (703) 792-7270 for further inquiries.

Topics Covered

The upcoming training session will focus on three critical areas:

1. Situational Awareness: Enhancing the ability to identify and avoid potential dangers.
2. Crime Reporting: Instruction on effectively reporting incidents to the police to contribute to a safer community.
3. Home Security: Practical strategies to improve home safety and reduce crime risk.

Community Watch in Prince William County

Prince William County boasts over 400 recognized Community Watch groups, each playing a vital role in maintaining neighborhood safety. These groups vary in participation levels but collectively contribute to a safer environment for all residents.

How to Form a Watch Group

Residents interested in forming or joining a Community Watch group are encouraged to attend one of the monthly training sessions. These meetings, alternating between in-person and virtual formats, provide essential education on situational awareness, crime reporting, and home security. Detailed information about these sessions can be found on the police department’s website and social media platforms.

The Importance of Community Watch

The Community Watch program has been a cornerstone of public safety in Prince William County since the 1970s. Recognizing the challenges of modern life, the program is evolving to serve the community’s needs better. The police department is transitioning from the traditional “Neighborhood Watch” to the more inclusive “Community Watch.” This rebranding emphasizes collective responsibility and aims to foster greater community engagement.

One significant change in the program is the shift from relying on a single group coordinator to a more direct communication model. Information will be sent directly to each Community Watch member, ensuring timely updates and improved coordination. This structural change and the new “Community Watch” branding reflect a commitment to inclusivity and collective effort in crime prevention.

Police found the body of an 18-year-old girl lying in a street near Manassas on Thursday, July 18, 2024.

They believe she was shot on the scene and left for dead.

More from Prince William police:

Homicide Investigation – On July 18 at 8:23PM, officers responded to the area of Pineview Rd and Cregger Ln in Manassas (20111) to investigate a shooting. Officers arrived on the scene and located an 18-year-old woman in a nearby wooded area suffering from gunshot wounds to the upper body. The woman was pronounced dead on the scene. No other injuries or property damage were reported, and no suspects have been located at this time. Detectives are actively investigating the incident to determine what led up to the shooting and are seeking to speak with anyone who can aid in the investigation. Preliminarily, the incident does not appear to be random. More information will be released when available. The investigation continues.

Identified:

The deceased was identified as Ashlin Yamileth PAZ, 18, of no fixed address.