Crime & Safety

Charles Severance Transported Monday to Loudoun County Adult Detention Center

Alexandria police want to question him in connection with three high-profile homicides. Severance was being held in West Virginia on a weapons charge.

U.S. Marshals picked up Charles Severance Monday afternoon in West Virginia to transport him to Loudoun County, according to a report by WTOP.

Severance, 53, is the man who was picked up March 13 by police in Wheeling, W.Va. on a gun charge and who Alexandria officials are interested in talking to in connection with three high-profile homicides; the homicides include Ruthanne Lodato, a local music teacher killed in a fatal shooting at her home on Feb. 6.

Severance was taken Monday to the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center, in Leesburg, according to The Washington Post.

The West Virginia Supreme Court last Tuesday unanimously denied a stay of extradition by Severance, arrested on a Loudoun County gun possession charge.

Severance’s name was brought to the attention of the Alexandria Police Department during the routine analysis of crime tips, according to police. Further investigation by multiple law enforcement agencies determined that Severance is a convicted felon in unlawful possession of firearms, police noted.

The Alexandria Police Department has not charged Severance with any crime at this time. Detectives continue to follow up on the crime tip information; however, it is premature to name him as the only possible suspect in these investigations, the Alexandria Police Department has said. 


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