Fredericksburg Man Arrested for Indecent Liberties After 40 years

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Fairfax County, VA – Detectives from our Child Abuse Unit have arrested and charged an 81-year-old man with two counts of indecent liberties for crimes that occurred over 40 years ago in Great Falls.

On June 7, officers from the McLean District Station took a report from a victim who stated she was sexually assaulted multiple times by a man between 1980 and 1983.  The victim reported that the assaults occurred at a horse farm in Great Falls.

Detectives were able to develop Edward Shelton, 81, of Fredericksburg as a suspect. Shelton worked as a horse farrier on various horse farms throughout northern Virginia and Stafford during that time. Detectives obtained warrants for two counts of Indecent Liberties.

On September 19, Shelton turned himself in to the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office. Upon completion of legal process, he will be transported to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center. He is being held on no bond.

If you believe you were a victim or you have additional information about these crimes, please call our Major Crimes Bureau at 703-246-7800, option 4. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Solvers by phone – 1-866-411-TIPS (866-411-8477), and by web – Click HERE. Download the ‘P3 Tips’ App “Fairfax Co Crime Solvers”. Anonymous tipsters are eligible for cash rewards. Please leave contact information if you wish for a detective to follow up with you.

Victim specialists from our Victim Services Division have been assigned to ensure that the identified victims are receiving appropriate resources and assistance.

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