Prince William

The Prince William County Commonwealth’s Attorney, Amy Ashworth, has announced the successful prosecution of Isaiah McGriff in connection with the July 2022 murder of a woman in Woodbridge. On March 12, 2024, a Prince William County jury found McGriff guilty of second-degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. The case, Commonwealth of Virginia v. Isaiah McGriff, was prosecuted by Senior Assistant Commonwealth Attorneys Kathleen Bilton and Dircia Schubert.

On July 1, 2022, police responded to a shooting at 13990 Jefferson Davis Hwy (Longview 7-Eleven) in Prince William County, where they discovered the victim, Claudia Morataya, deceased from an apparent gunshot wound to the abdomen. An investigation revealed that Isaiah McGriff, the defendant, was present outside the 7-Eleven that night, along with the victim and others, drinking and socializing before the shooting occurred. A verbal dispute ensued between the victim and the defendant, culminating in the victim throwing a beer bottle at McGriff. McGriff was heard making threatening remarks before later shooting the victim in nearby woods, a press release notes.


Prince William

Authorities were alerted to an incident at the Prince William County Government Center located at 5 County Complex Court in Woodbridge on March 7, where a pedestrian was fatally injured. According to crash investigators, the victim, [Redacted at the request of the victim’s family], of Woodbridge, was involved in a collision involving a trailer in the parking lot at around 3:54 p.m.

Police said [the victim] manually moved a small trailer between vehicles when he stumbled and fell. Subsequently, the trailer continued its momentum, ultimately resting on [the victim’s] upper body and leg. Despite managing to free himself from the trailer, he suffered severe injuries in the process.


Prince William

A Prince William County judge dropped a rape charge against a man accused of raping a 10-year-old girl in Dale City.

Prince William County Circuit Court Judge Carroll A. Weimer Jr. dropped the charge on March 6. The suspect, 40-year-old Bernabe Garcia of Woodbridge, was set to appear for a jury trial on the rape charge from March 18 to 21, 2024.


Prince William

Initial findings suggest that the driver of a 2016 Toyota Corolla was traveling southbound on Route 1. at a high speed when the vehicle veered out of control. The Corolla crossed over the median into the northbound lanes, colliding with a 2023 Chrysler Pacifica.

The sole occupant of the Corolla, a 17-year-old male juvenile from Woodbridge, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver and a passenger in the Pacifica suffered injuries and were taken to a hospital for treatment, with their conditions reported as non-life threatening.


Prince William

Prince William County Police Department is offering a reward for information concerning the fatal hit-and-run crash on February 24 in the vicinity of Minnieville Road and Bobcat Court in Dale City.

The incident led to the death of 27-year-old Carla Andrea Mejia, of Woodbridge, who was walking along the roadway. Investigators recovered vehicle parts believed to belong to a 2009-2012 Hyundai Santa Fe SUV or 2009-2013 Kia Sorento SUV, silver or light in color, with possible damage to the front end, wheel well, and/or undercarriage areas.


Prince William

Prince William police: Officers responded to investigate a dog found at C. Lacey Compton Neighborhood Park located at 17301 River Ridge Blvd. in Woodbridge (22191) at 10:30 am on March 2.

The investigation revealed an extremely emaciated dog was left at the park by an unknown man who then drove away in a newer model white Range Rover. A Good Samaritan took the dog to the PWC Animal Services Center, where the dog, identified as a male mixed-breed Hound dog between 6 and 12 months old, received medical care and is resting comfortably now.


Prince William

Soto Hernandez faces charges including two counts of aggravated sexual battery, one count of forcible sodomy, and one count of abduction with intent to defile. His court date is pending, and he remains incarcerated.

The incident, which occurred on February 26 at 7:50 a.m., prompted law enforcement response to a residence in Dale City. A female victim, awakened by the accused wielding a knife in her room, endured a sexual assault.


Prince William

“The investigation revealed that the victim, a 27-year-old female, was walking in the westbound lane of Minnieville Road, wearing all dark clothing, when she was struck by a vehicle. The striking vehicle did not stop at the scene. Fire and rescue personnel responded to the scene where the pedestrian was pronounced deceased.”

“The vehicle is believed to be an unknown model Hyundai. No further information on the driver or striking vehicle is available at this time. Investigators with the Crash Investigation Unit are asking anyone who may have witnessed this crash to contact police. The investigation continues.”


View More Stories