Richmond, Va. (Newsradiowrva.com) - Virginia State Police (VSP) along with King and Queen County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office have confirmed an arrest in an almost 33-year-old cold case.
Under a new DNA testing initiative, evidence from a decades-old sexual assault case was retested. On Oct. 10, 2024, state police arrested 62-year-old Ives T. Fortune of Tappahannock after a grand jury indictment for the rape and malicious wounding of Jennie Lee Johnson of King and Queen County.
“I am proud of the dedication and the hours agents and analysts put into this case and every case,” said Colonel Gary T. Settle, Superintendent of the Virginia State Police. “We are pleased to be able to start to give Ms. Johnson’s family some closure.”
Police said Johnson was last seen alive on Nov. 22, 1991 after leaving a friend’s house, and she never returned home. Her body was found the next day in a field nearby Newtown Road.
The suspect, Fortune, is being held at Middle Peninsula Regional Security Center. Fortune is set to appear at King and Queen County Circuit Court on Wednesday, Oct. 23.
