Embezzlement Suspect Out on Bond
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Embezzlement Suspect Out on Bond

A former Loudoun County man who is accused of embezzling money from a reward fund to assist in the investigation into the murder of an Ashburn girl, was released on a $5,000 secured bond Tuesday, May 23.

Roosevelt Henderson Jr. turned himself into the Sheriff's Office Friday, May 19. He has been charged with grand larceny and money laundering.

Sheriff's Office spokesperson Kraig Troxell said the investigation is continuing and more charges are possible.

As a part of his release, Henderson was required to enroll in a pretrial program, which, Troxell said, "would make him be in constant contact with the court."

Troxell said the requirement was set because Henderson has strong ties to Florida.

Erica H. Smith's body was found Aug. 9, 2002, in a shallow grave in a wooded area of the Beaumeade Corporate Park in Ashburn. The discovery came 11 days after Erica, who was 14 at the time she was killed, left her home and was never seen or heard from again.

Shortly after Erica's murder, Henderson approached the Smith family and offered to help establish a reward fund through the Middleburg Bank. After setting up two accounts for the fund, Henderson allegedly withdrew money from the accounts over a period of time. More than $8,000 was taken from the accounts until they were closed in December 2003.

Erica's murder remains unsolved, but Troxell said it is far from cold and the Sheriff's Office recently added additional personnel to the case.

"This is a very solvable case," he said. "We believe there is someone out there who has information about it and that we will be able to make an arrest."