A Loudoun County man has been arrested and charged in connection with many sexual assaults spanning decades.
Police said Edward Eugene Pottmyer, 58, of Chantilly, has been identified as a suspect in a string of offenses dating back to 1998. Pottmyer was arrested on June 5 and charged with forceful sodomy and abduction with the intent to defile after detectives linked his DNA to three decades of attacks.
The first assault took place approximately 7 p.m. on September 9, 1998. Police say a 48-year-old woman was jogging on a bike route in the Fair Lakes area when Pottmyer reportedly threatened her with a knife, sexually assaulted her, and escaped.
Then, around 11 p.m. on August 3, 2000, Pottmyer is thought to have pushed his way into a residence on the 11900 block of Parkside Drive in Fairfax.
The 66-year-old woman said police she was sleeping when she awoke to see the suspect abusing her. She fought him off and fled by jumping from a second-story balcony and ran.
On December 6, 2004, about 10:45 p.m., a 51-year-old lady was in her basement on the 9900 block of Whitewater Drive in Burke when she noticed a man exposing himself outside her sliding glass door. The victim yelled, and the man rushed away.
In all three incidents, officers retrieved forensic evidence from the crime scenes and submitted it for investigation upon collection.
Fairfax County police said investigators sent the DNA samples to Othram Inc., where they employed advanced DNA technology to create a thorough profile that was subsequently used for genetic genealogy research.
They then got Pottmyer’s DNA, which confirmed him as the suspect.
Fairfax County investigators secured warrants, and with the assistance of the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, Pottymer was apprehended and transported to the Fairfax County ADC, where he is being held without bond.
Detectives would like to speak with anyone who has further information about these incidents or believes they had illicit contact with Pottmyer.
Source: fox5dc.com