Overview
- Fredericksburg police say 17-year-old Autumn Van Zandt was last seen May 19 traveling with 39-year-old Ronnie Reel and that the pair may be attempting to leave the state.
- Police have asked the public for tips and released Van Zandt’s description: about 5'7", 135 lbs., brown hair and eyes, wearing a black top and jean shorts, carrying a red purse and bearing a heart-shaped hip tattoo.
- Reel was indicted in July 2021 on sodomy and aggravated sexual battery charges but in September 2022 pleaded to misdemeanor assault and battery and was released after a judge ruled certain recorded confessions could not be used because of discovery timing.
- The victim’s mother says Reel confessed details of abusing an 11-year-old in a recorded call, while the Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office says the judge made a novel ruling, a continuance was denied, and prosecutors pursued the remaining evidence.
- The case has reignited criticism of Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano over discovery handling and prior releases of suspects, a political dispute that could drive further oversight, push for courtroom procedure changes or intensify local recall and campaign debate.