A GUSTY DRAW The Battlefield and Patriot boys soccer teams tied 1-1. PAGE 9
March 27, 2019 | Vol. 18, No. 13 | www.PrinceWilliamTimes.com | 50¢ Covering Prince William County and surrounding communities, including Gainesville, Haymarket, Dumfries, Occoquan, Quantico and the cities of Manassas and Manassas Park.
School board’s $1.5B budget raises pay for teachers, itself By Jill Palermo
Times Staff Writer
The Prince William County School Board unanimously approved a $1.5 billion budget for next school year that boosts teacher and
staff salaries by about 4.8 percent – the largest raise in a decade—adds about 100 new positions, including 46 new school counselors, and awards school board members a raise for the first time in 19 years. The budget reflects an overall in-
crease in operating-fund revenue of about 4.9 percent, or about $51.1 million. That includes an increase of about 4.9 percent -- or $28.4 million -- in local funding from Prince William County and a 5-percent boost in state funding, from $534.5 million to $560.9 million.
Before taking a final vote, the board praised Walts for his spending priorities, which included teacher and staff salaries, special education, student mental health, career and technical education and pre-K education See SCHOOL BOARD, page 4
PHOTO BY DELIA ENGSTROM
History teller
Charles J. Colgan High School students Reid Robinson and Garrett Williams listen as WW II veteran Phil Louer, 95, of Haymarket, tells of his experiences with the 78th Infantry Division in the Battle of the Bulge. Louer was one of several local veterans students interviewed for the American Folklife Center’s Veterans History Project. The recordings will be filed with the Library of Congress. More on page 11.
County cuts glass, some plastics from recycling Officials: Market forces behind the changes By Jill Palermo
Time Staff Writer
Prince William officials have announced big changes in the county’s recycling rules. Residents are being told to keep both glass and certain kinds of plastic out of their curbside recycling containers. Although clean glass can still be recycled, private haulers that pick up recyclables in Prince William County haven’t been doing so for about two years, said Tom Smith, director of the county’s solid waste division. The reasons are two-fold: Single-stream sorting facilities that process the recycling can’t keep the
glass clean enough to be recycled. Also, there are no glass-recycling facilities in Virginia, and hauling it out of state to either Pennsylvania or North Carolina is too expensive. “At one point in time, [glass collected in Prince William] was being recycled but there’s just not a market for it,” Smith said last week. “Within the last two years, they just gave up on it and started putting it in the landfill.” The ban on softer plastic containers, those labeled 3 through 7, is the result of contamination restrictions and other rules imposed by China, India and other countries that buy See RECYCLING, page 4 INSIDE Calendar.............................................13 Classified............................................16 Library................................................12 Obituaries...........................................15
PHOTO BY DELIA ENGSTROM
Crews pick up the contents of curbside recycling bins on a recent Monday morning in Montclair. Glass and plastics 3-7 are being eliminated from local curbside recycling programs. Opinion.................................................6 Puzzle Page..........................................8 Real Estate..........................................14 Sports...................................................9
86 WARRENTON, VA
2
PUBLIC SAFETY
Prince William Times | www.princewilliamtimes.com | March 27, 2019
Former day care teacher sentenced to 41 years for child sexual abuse By Amanda Heincer Times Staff Writer
A former teacher at a Bristow day care center was sentenced Thursday to serve 41 years in prison for sexually abusing children in his care in case that prosecutors described as “a parent’s worst nightmare.” Taylor Keith Boykin, 28, a former teacher at a Minnieland Academy in Bristow, pleaded guilty in October to 14 charges including multiple counts of object sexual penetration, aggravated sexual battery, indecent liberties by a custodian and producing child pornography. At a sentencing hearing Thursday, March 21, Judge Lon E. Farris sentenced Boykin to a total of life in prison, with all but 41 years suspended, on the charges. Boykin was arrested in April 2018 and admitted to molesting children at the day care center, at 10368 Bristow Center Drive in Bristow. Prosecutors said the police investigation identified 15 victims, most of whom were 4 or 5 years old at the time. Several of the children were abused multiple times, prosecutors said. Much of the abuse took place on the day care center’s playground where, police and prosecutors said, Boykin would reach into a tunnel slide and sexually assault children, telling them he was tickling them. Boykin also often pulled down children’s pants and un-
derwear and took photos of them with his smartwatch, prosecutors said. Investigators found 120 sexually explicit images on Boykin’s watch, prosecutors said.
TAYLOR BOYKIN
Parents tell of anxiety, bad dreams
At the hearing, eight parents testified about the long-lasting impact the abuse has had on their children. Some said their children suffer nightmares as a result of the abuse. One mother said her daughter has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. Several said their children now struggle with anger, aggressiveness, low self-esteem and anxiety. Several parents recalled when police first contacted them to ask to interview their child. “Nothing can prepare you for the day you are told your daughter was touched inappropriately by someone that you trusted, someone who was supposed to protect her,” one father testified. “We left our children in his care… our children were supposed to be protected.” Prince William Times is not identifying the parents by name to protect the identity of the child victims. The parents said the aftermath of
the abuse has caused problems in their marriages, has left them unable to trust people to care for their children and has caused them to struggle with guilt and anxiety. Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Lauren Pomerantz asked the judge to sentence Boykin to life in prison. Defense attorney Robert Jenkins argued for sentence on the low end of the guidelines. “This case is the stuff of nightmares,” Pomerantz said in her argument. “It’s a parent’s worst nightmare.” Pomerantz emphasized that the abuse was ongoing and that several of the victims were abused more than once. One young girl, when asked by her mother if the inappropriate touching happened “a lot,” responded by asking, “Is once a day a lot?” Pomerantz said. Boykin: ‘I’m incredibly sorry’ Jenkins said that Boykin has shown remorse and has taken responsibility for his actions. He also said Boykin’s actions were the result of an undiagnosed and untreated mental illness that can be managed. Before he was sentenced Boykin stood and spoke, his voice shaking with emotion. “I apologize … for the hurt that I’ve caused,” he said. “If I could go back and stop myself I would, without hesitation. I hate the choices I’ve made… I’m incredibly sorry.”
After the sentencing hearing, Jenkins said Boykin “was doing the best he could to convey his regret and deep, deep remorse for the offenses he committed.” “Taylor understood from first time law enforcement got invoked that he had done something very bad. I think he was very sincere with his expressions of remorse ...he feels terrible for what he did and the impact his actions will have on the families,” Jenkins said. In addition to the prison time, Farris sentenced Boykin to 10 years of supervised probation. The Bristow Minnieland Academy closed in June 2018 because of decreasing enrollment, but reopened in January, NBC 4 reported. In a statement, Minnieland Academy officials said Boykin’s sentence, “is appropriate … but can never make up for the harm and pain he caused.” “Minnieland Academy remains appalled by Boykin’s violation of trust of children, their families and his co-workers. We took immediate action to implement enhanced security measures and are moving forward from this ordeal steadfast in our commitment to provide the safest and most nurturing environment,” the statement said. Reach Amanda Heincer at aheincer@fauquier.com
Man charged after Manassas shooting PUBLIC NOTICE KETTLE RUN ROAD AND SCHAEFFER LANE PROPOSED THROUGH TRUCK RESTRICTIONS The Virginia Department of Transportation is accepting comments regarding the proposed restriction of through truck traffic on Kettle Run Road (Route 656) and Schaeffer Lane (Route 655) between Fitzwater Drive (Route 652) and Vint Hill Road (Route 215) in Prince William County. The proposed alternate route for trucks is via Fitzwater Drive to Route 28 (Nokesville Road) to Vint Hill Road. Submit your written comments by April 29, 2019 to Mr. Thomas K. Folse, P.E., Virginia Department of Transportation, 4975 Alliance Drive, Fairfax VA 22030, or email meetingcomments@VDOT.virginia.gov. Please reference “Kettle Run Road and Schaeffer Lane Proposed Through Truck Restrictions” in the subject line. Submit comments by telephone at 800-FOR-ROAD (1-800-367-7623). VDOT ensures nondiscrimination and equal employment in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. If you need more information or special assistance for persons with disabilities or limited English proficiency, contact VDOT’s Civil Rights at 703-259-1775 or TTY/TDD 711.
A Prince William County man has been charged in connection with a shooting in the City of Manassas on Friday, March 15, Manassas police said. Officers responded to a report of shots fired on the 9600 block of Grant Avenue at 9:11 p.m. on Friday, March 15, Manassas police said in a news release. When officers arrived in the area, they located an adult man suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. The man was flown to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries. He was later listed as being in stable condition and was still recovering from his injuries as of Friday,
ISSN 1050-7655, USPS 188280 Published every Wednesday by Piedmont Media LLC How to reach us ADDRESS: 41 Culpeper Street Warrenton, Virginia 20186 PHONE: 540-347-4222 FAX: 540-349-8676 HOURS: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, 24-hour answering service Publisher Catherine M. Nelson, 540-300-4780 cnelson@fauquier.com NEWSROOM Managing Editor Jill Palermo, 540-351-0431 jpalermo@fauquier.com Web/Copy Editor Amanda Heincer, 540-878-2418 aheincer@fauquier.com
March 22, Manassas police said. Detectives identified Dominik Anthony Walker, 20, of Prince William County, as a suspect in the shooting and arrested him on Friday, March 22, Manassas police said in a news release. Walker is charged with two counts of malicious wounding, two counts of attempted malicious wounding and use of a firearm in commission of a felony.
WANT MORE? Visit our website www.PrinceWilliamTimes.com
Community Editor Anita Sherman, 540-351-1635 asherman@fauquier.com Associate Editor John Toler, 540-351-0487 jtoler@fauquier.com Staff Writers James Ivancic, 540-878-2414 jivancic@fauquier.com Karen Chaffraix, kchaffraix@fauquier.com Sports Editor Peter Brewington, 540-351-1169 pbrewington@fauquier.com Sports Staff Writer Jeff Malmgren, 540-874-2250 jmalmgren@fauquier.com ADVERTISING Ad Manager Kathy Mills Godfrey, 540-351-1162 kgodfrey@fauquier.com Classified Sales Consultant Jeanne Cobert, 540-878-2491 jcobert@fauquier.com
To place Classified and Employment ads: Call 540351-1664 or fax 540-3498676, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday — Friday or email fauquierclassifieds@fauquier. com Chairman Emeritus George R. Thompson SUBSCRIPTIONS Call 540-347-4222 Help with your subscription? Call 540-878-2413 or email CirculationFT@fauquier.com Missed your paper? Call 540-347-4222, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursdays Subscription: $49.95 per year within the United States. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Fauquier Times, 41 Culpeper St., Warrenton, VA 20186. Periodicals postage paid at Warrenton, Va. and at additional mailing offices
PUBLIC SAFETY
Prince William Times | www.princewilliamtimes.com | March 27, 2019
Woodbridge man charged with DUI, assault on a police officer after Dale City hit-and-run
3
Woodbridge couple killed in Dumfries murder-suicide
A hit-and-run in Dale City led to the arrest of a Woodbridge man on multiple charges, including driving under the influence and assault and battery on a police officer, according to police. Officers responded to the hit-andrun about 6:49 p.m. Tuesday, March 19, at Benita Fitzgerald Drive and Cloverdale Road. The investigation revealed a woman was stopped at a red light on Dale Boulevard when her vehicle was struck by a gray sedan, which left the scene, traveling west on Dale Boulevard, according to Officer Renee Carr, spokeswoman for the Prince William County Police Department. A piece of the striking vehicle remained at the scene of the crash, enabling officers to identify the owner of the vehicle. When they arrived at the fleeing driver’s address, the man struck one officer in the chest and another in the upper body, causing minor injuries, Carr said in a news release. The man was eventually detained without further incident. During a search of the man’s home, narcotics were recovered. Minor injuries were reported by the accused, but he refused treatment, Carr said. David Joel Rivera, 24, of Woodbridge, was arrested and charged with two counts of assault and battery on a law-enforcement officer, driving under the influence and drug possession in connection with the incident. Rivera was released on a $7,500 secured bond for a May 2 court date.
Staff Reports Police have identified the married couple killed in a murder-suicide in Dumfries Wednesday, March 20, as Lemlem Hayelu Habte, 35, and Christopher Andre Quincer, 44, both of Woodbridge. Police also released additional details about what happened in the 24 hours before Quincer arrived at a home on the 4000 block of Marjon Court, where he fatally shot Habte before turning the gun on himself at about 10:13 a.m. Wednesday, March 20. Habte was staying at the home, which belonged to relatives, in an attempt to escape from Quincer, who had physically assaulted her the day
Woman killed in Manassas hitand-run police called intentional
before at their Woodbridge home, according to Sgt. Jonathan Perok, spokesman for the Prince William County Police Department. A family member who was present in the couple’s home during the March 19 altercation, which took place at about noon, was able to separate them, and Quincer fled the residence, Perok said in a press release. Habte suffered “minor injuries” and was transported to an area hospital for treatment, Perok said. Police attempted twice on Tuesday, March 19 – once shortly after the altercation was reported as well as later that night -- to serve Quincer with a warrant for his arrest as well as an emergency protective order.
But they could not find the him at the couple’s Balsam Street home in Woodbridge, Perok said. Quincer turned up the next morning, however, at the Dumfries home where the woman was staying on Marjon Court. The home is located in a residential area behind the 7-Eleven on Va. 234, just east of the Target shopping center. Quincer arrived at about 10 a.m. The shooting was reported to police at 10:13 a.m. Both were pronounced dead at the scene, police said. There were other people in the home at the time of the shootings. They told arriving police officers what happened. No additional injuries were reported, Perok said.
burg, Maryland, was charged with second-degree murder and hit and run involving death in connection with the incident, the news release said. Taha was also charged with driving under the influence and possessing an open container by Prince William County police. He is being held without bond ahead of a May 20 court date.
Crews were dispatched at 1:47 a.m. Monday, March 25, to the 14000 block of Earlham Court in Dale City for a townhouse fire. They encountered fire near the rear of the home and quickly extinguished it with no extension to other structures, according to a Prince William County Fire and Rescue Department news release. No injuries were reported. A building official posted the property as unsafe to occupy and damage was described as “moderate.” The fire marshal's office attributed the fire to the improper disposal of grilling charcoal into a plastic trash can, the release said.
A woman struck by a hit-and-run driver in Manassas Sunday was hit intentionally and has died from her injuries, according to City of Manassas police. Shamsa Begum, 66, of the City of Manassas, was standing in the roadway on Cloverhill Road when she was intentionally struck by the sus- Dale City townhouse fire displacpect, City of Manassas police said es 2 adults, 1 child Monday in a news release. Improper disposal of grilling The suspect fled the scene and was charcoal has been blamed for a Dale later located and taken into custody City townhouse fire that displaced by Prince William County police at B:9.3”two adults and one child early Mona 7-Eleven at 12125 Dumfries Road. T:9.3”day morning, according to fire deMuhammad Taha, 29, of Clarks- S:9.3”partment officials.
This is more than great rates This is more savings for wherever you’re going. Platinum Savings Account
2.10 % 2.40 %
Annual Percentage Yield for 12 months with new money deposits of at least $25,000 and a minimum daily account balance of $25,000 or more1
Guaranteed Fixed-Rate CD
1. To qualify for this offer, you must have a new or existing Platinum Savings account and enroll the account in this offer between 03/25/2019 and 05/31/2019. This offer is subject to change at any time, without notice. This offer is available only to Platinum Savings customers in the following states: AR, CT, DC, FL, GA, MD, MS, NC, NJ, NY, SC, TX and VA. In order to earn the Special Interest Rate of 2.08% (Special Rate), you must deposit $25,000 in new money (from sources outside of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., or its affiliates) to the enrolled savings account and maintain a minimum daily account balance of $25,000 throughout the term of this offer. The corresponding Annual Percentage Yield (APY) for this offer is 2.10%. The Special Rate will be applied to the enrolled savings account for a period of 12 months, starting on the date the account is enrolled in the offer. However, for any day during that 12 month period that the daily account balance is less than the $25,000 minimum, the Special Rate will not apply, and the interest rate will revert to the standard interest rate applicable to your Platinum Savings account. As of 02/15/2019, the standard interest rate and APY for a Platinum Savings account in AR, CT, DC, FL, GA, MD, MS, NC, NJ, NY, SC, TX and VA with an account balance of $0.01 and above is 0.05% (0.05% APY). Each tier shown reflects the current minimum daily collected balance required to obtain the applicable APY. Interest is compounded daily and paid monthly. The amount of interest earned is based on the daily collected balances in the account. Upon the expiration of the 12 month promotional period, standard interest rates apply. Minimum to open a Platinum Savings account is $25. A monthly service fee of $12 applies in any month the account falls below a $3,500 minimum daily balance. Fees may reduce earnings. Interest rates are variable and subject to change without notice. Wells Fargo may limit the amount you deposit to a Platinum Savings account to an aggregate of $1 million. Offer not available to Private Banking or Wealth customers. 2. Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is effective for accounts opened between 03/25/2019 to 05/31/2019. The 11-month New Dollar CD special requires a minimum of $25,000 brought to Wells Fargo from sources outside of Wells Fargo Bank N.A., or its affiliates to earn the advertised APY. Public Funds and Wholesale accounts are not eligible for this offer. APY assumes interest remains on deposit until maturity. Interest is compounded daily. Payment of interest on CDs is based on term: For terms less than 12 months (365 days), interest may be paid monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or at maturity (the end of the term). For terms of 12 months or more, interest may be paid monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually. A fee for early withdrawal will be imposed and could reduce earnings on this account. Special Rates are applicable to the initial term of the CD only. At maturity, the Special Rate CD will automatically renew for a term of 6 months, at the interest rate and APY in effect for CDs on renewal date not subject to a Special Rate, unless the Bank has notified you otherwise. 1,2. Due to the new money requirement, accounts may only be opened at your local branch. Wells Fargo reserves the right to modify or discontinue the offer at any time without notice. Minimum new money deposit requirement of at least $25,000 is for this offer only and cannot be transferred to another account to qualify for any other consumer deposit offer. If you wish to take advantage of another consumer deposit offer requiring a minimum new money deposit, you will be required to do so with another new money deposit as stated in the offer requirements and qualifications. Offer cannot be combined with any other consumer deposit offer, except the Portfolio by Wells Fargo $500 offer, available from March 25, 2019 until May 31, 2019. Offer cannot be reproduced, purchased, sold, transferred, or traded. 3. The Portfolio by Wells Fargo program has a $30 monthly service fee, which can be avoided when you have one of the following qualifying balances: $25,000 or more in qualifying linked bank deposit accounts (checking, savings, CDs, FDIC-insured IRAs) or $50,000 or more in any combination of qualifying linked banking, brokerage (available through Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC) and credit balances (including 10% of mortgage balances, certain mortgages not eligible). If the Portfolio by Wells Fargo relationship is terminated, the bonus interest rate on all eligible savings accounts, and discounts or fee waivers on other products and services, will discontinue and revert to the Bank’s then-current applicable rate or fee. For bonus interest rates on time accounts, this change will occur upon renewal. If the Portfolio by Wells Fargo relationship is terminated, the remaining unlinked Wells Fargo Portfolio Checking or Wells Fargo Prime Checking account will be converted to another checking product or closed. © 2019 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Deposit products offered by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. NMLSR ID 399801
T:6.75”
Offers available in AR, CT, DC, FL, GA, MD, MS, NC, NJ, NY, SC, TX and VA. Portfolio by Wells Fargo® customers are eligible to receive an additional bonus interest rate on these accounts.3
B:6.75”
Talk to a banker for details. Offer expires May 31, 2019. Business owner? Ask about our business savings rates.
S:6.75”
Annual Percentage Yield for an 11-month term with new money deposits of at least $25,0002