Centreville ❖ Clifton ❖ Little Rocky Run SOUTHERN EDITION SEPT. 30 - OCT. 6, 2010 “Consequences” 25 CENTS Newsstand Price Volume XXIV, NO. 39 Therapeutic Firework Leads Riding at 30 Centreville To Death, Jail residents are died, Guthrie was charged with Man found guilty involuntary manslaughter. And among the of involuntary last Thursday, Sept. 23, following a two-day trial in Loudoun County participants. manslaughter. — where the tragedy occurred — a jury found Guthrie guilty and recommended jail time and a fine. By Bonnie Hobbs By Bonnie Hobbs “There’s no suggestion that Centre View Centre View Guthrie intended to cause Ross’s death, but his criminal negligence he Northern Virginia hen Centreville’s let to it,” said Assistant T Therapeutic Riding Kyle Guthrie Commonwealth’s Attorney Program (NVTRP) cel- Wtossed a firework Stephen Sincavage. When the fire- ebrated 30 years of service, into the air from a work landed near Ross, said the Sept. 19, honored people moving pickup truck, last summer, prosecutor, he took “evasive action who’ve helped along the way he didn’t expect a person sitting to protect himself from injury.” and announced a major contri- near him to jump out of the ve- The night of July 18-19, 2009, bution toward its purchase of hicle when the lit firework fell five 19-year-olds — all Westfield Little Full Cry Farm in Clifton, back in the truck bed where they High grads and athletes — were where the program operates. Ryan Shank-Rowe of Centreville enjoys riding a horse, were sitting. traveling on Donegal Drive near “We have an opportunity to with help from some NVTRP volunteers. But when Oak Hill’s Dennis Ray Mandeville Drive in South Riding. preserve a way of life, plus the Ross Jr., 19, jumped out, hit his beauty of the land at Popes Head and Clifton veterans in an inclusive, community setting. And head on the road and subsequently See Guthrie, Page 4 roads,” said NVTRP Board of Governors Chairman since the organization focuses on each rider’s abil- Rhonda VanLowe. “And we’ve just received a $1 ity, rather than disability, the results have been million gift from the O’Shaughnessy-Hurst Memo- increased mobility, socialization and a sense of be- rial Foundation, which cares about children’s longing. ‘I Just Wanted Him health, animal welfare and the environment.” “This is about empowerment and dignity,” said She shared the good news during the 30th anni- U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-11). “When a person versary jubilee in Clifton. The nonprofit NVTRP gets on a horse, it can be a transforming experi Held Accountable’ provides horseback-riding opportunities to chil- dren and adults with disabilities, at-risk youth and See 30 Years, Page 3 Ross’s mother talks about her son. By Bonnie Hobbs Ross’s son Dennis, 19, jumped Centre View from a truck bed into which a Child-Molester Sentenced to Prison lighted firework thrown by lthough a jury recom- Guthrie, also 19, landed near him. His victims were young, came about was a stealing of their A mended Kyle Guthrie re- Dennis struck his head on the road futures.” ceive just five days in jail and died, six days later. piano students. Making matters worse, said his for involuntarily causing her son’s Until then, said his mother, he victims, Sept. 24, in Fairfax County death last summer, Jean Ross says was “a happy kid, with a smile that Circuit Court, was that — while they it’s OK with her. lit up a room. He was also a guy’s By Bonnie Hobs were left shattered and traumatized “I didn’t expect the boy to do a guy who loved sports and playing Centre View to deal with the devastating after- lot of jail time,” she said. “I just video games.” A 2008 Westfield math of what he’d done to them — wanted him held accountable for nce upon a time, there were three, little Copping was living the high life. For his actions.” See Ross’s Mother, Page 4 Ogirls who took piano lessons in the next 12 years, he traveled the Centreville. Happy and trusting, they Copping world, climbed mountains, wrote had no reason to believe the husband of their books and made a name for himself 10-1-10 home in Requested Time sensitive material. sensitive Time teacher would molest them — until he did. as an adventurer. Postmaster: Attention “Their ages were 9, 8 and 11,” said Assistant But all that came to an end when his victims grew PERMIT #322 PERMIT Commonwealth’s Attorney Greg Holt during George up and reported the abuse, police issued warrants MD Easton, Desmond Copping’s sentencing last Friday for com- for his arrest and he was finally apprehended when PAID mitting indecent acts as a person in a custodial rela- he tried returning to the U.S. And last Friday, Judge Postage U.S. tionship. “They’d gone to his home to learn some- STD PRSRT thing beautiful — how to play piano — but what See Child-Molester, Page 7 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Centre View South ❖ September 30 - October 6, 2010 ❖ 1 News HE’S EARNED THEM… YOU DESERVE THEM GRI, Graduate Realtors Institute CRS, Certified Residential Specialist ABR, Accredited Buyers Representative Associate Broker CDPE, Certified Distressed Property Expert Sr., MAI Mathieson of Greg Courtesy e-PRO, Certification for Internet Professionalism His commitment to education is but one of the many reasons he is the leader in the Centreville Marketplace. It gives him an advantage, which means you have an advantage. CERTIFIED DISTRESSED Experience… PROPERTY the Difference! EXPERT© See Complete School Information Road-side Memorial & VIRTUAL TOUR at www.seln4u.com The local community is mourning the death of Virginia Run’s Bo Rupp, 15, who was struck by a car Saturday night, Sept. 25, around 8:11 p.m., at Pleasant Valley $474,900 $324,999 SEQUOIA COUNTRY Road and Smithhaven Place in Virginia Run. Fairfax County police say a 44-year- FARMS CLUB old man was driving a 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser SUV north on Pleasant Valley when Charming home MANOR he saw another vehicle in front of him make an abrupt U-turn and stop in the with soaring Charming spaces! Great lot roadway. The driver of the Cruiser then felt an impact and stopped his vehicle. backing to home flooded woods! Custom with natural He discovered that he’d struck the Westfield High sophomore, who police say was Trex Deck. light! Nestled reportedly sitting in the roadway. Rupp was Medevaced to Inova Fairfax Hospital Dramatic 2-story foyer. Newly finished hdwd on large, level lot. Brick front walk & front floors. Spacious, formal LR & DR. FR w/soaring with life-threatening injuries and died Sunday, Sept. 26, around 9:20 p.m. vaulted ceiling w/skylights & masonry brick FP. stoop. Hardwood floors. Sunny LR w/2 bay FR flows into the huge kitchen with tons of windows & skylight. Formal DR steps down cabinet space & brkfst area w/access to deck. 4 to the sunroom w/vaulted ceiling & bay upper lvl BR’s, all w/vaulted ceilings. MBR window. Kit. w/tile floor & gas cooking. w/dressing area & full, private BA. 20'x15' 4th BR MBR w/private BA. Lower lvl w/rec room features cathedral ceiling w/skylights. Upper hall balcony overlooks FR. Walk-Out bsmnt w/rec room featuring full-wall brick FP w/new insert & den. Great location, close to E.C Lawrence Park, w/gas logs. Close to schools, shopping & schools & commuter routes. FX7421911 commuter routes. No HOA! FX7436891 Two Plead Guilty to Gold Thefts $329,900 $624,900 CENTRE VIRGINIA agoberto Soto-Ramirez, 27, of New York, Soto-Ramirez admitted that he helped find the RIDGE RUN Pristine, Shows like a N.Y., pleaded guilty on Tuesday, Sept. 21, names and addresses of potential victims, posed as a Garage, End model! to conspiring to steal at least $500,000 service man when approaching target residences and, unit TH! 3 Stunning D worth of gold and other valuables from if no one answered, would break into the homes to finished brick-front levels. Faces home 37 homes in Northern Virginia and take it back to search them for gold, jewelry, computers and other woods & backs to common area. 5 backing to common area. Large, private New York. property. treed backyard with play set, stone patio additional parking spaces right next to He entered his plea in U.S. District Court in Alex- Soto-Ramirez further admitted that he and his con- the TH! Storage shed. Rear deck w/steps & deck. Gorgeous new wide-plank to fenced yard. 2-story foyer. Formal LR & Brazilian hand-scraped cherry wood andria before Judge Leonie M. Brinkema. He and spirators burglarized more than three dozen resi- floors. FR w/FP. Formal LR & DR. Main DR. Eat-in kitchen w/hdwd floor & bay lvl study. Custom wrought iron stair rails. his wife, Melinda Marie Soto, 34 — who’s also in- dences in Fairfax and Loudoun Counties during 2009 window. 3 upper lvl BR’s including master Remodeled kitchen w/granite & SS volved in the crime — are both slated for sentencing and transported the stolen property to New York, suite w/vaulted ceiling, walk-in closet & appliances. Remodeled bathrooms. Fully full BA w/skylight. Finished Bsmnt w/FP. finished basement with walk-up exit. the same day, Dec. 3. A federal grand jury indicted where they sold it. FX7389207 Exquisite detail! Soto-Ramirez on July 15 and, now that he’s been Soto pleaded guilty to conspiracy on Sept. 17; Gray $209,900 $209,000 convicted, he could receive as much as five years in remains a fugitive at large.