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Fibers found in Karl Michael Roush's van are key links tying him to the death of 16-year-old Sofia Silva, according to Spotsylvania County's chief prosecutor.
Roush, 44, a former neighbor of the slain girl's, was expected to be indicted by a county grand jury today on charges of murder and abduction with the intent to defile.
If convicted, he could receive from 20 years to life in prison on each charge.
Commonwealth's Attorney William Neely said tests performed at the state crime lab showed that three different types of fibers found in Roush's 1984 Dodge Caravan matched fibers found on the blanket that Sofia's body was wrapped in when she was found dead Oct. 14 in a King George County creek.
Sofia had disappeared from her Oak Grove Terrace home on Sept. 9. Investigators believe she died a day or two later in Spotsylvania. She was either smothered or strangled, according to sources.
Authorities have said that they think Sofia was sexually assaulted, but there may not be enough evidence to file a charge because her body had decomposed.
Neely said the fibers came from a carpet, a rug and a seat cover in the van. He said finding three matches is strong evidence.
"We feel we have a solid case, and we're not finished working on it yet," Neely said.
Neely said police also have statements from witnesses that incriminate Roush, including statements Roush allegedly made to those witnesses. But Neely would not elaborate.
Investigators are still awaiting tests on blood and hair found in the van that may have been Sofia's, Neely said. Hair similar to Sofia's also was found in the home where Roush lived, he said.
The couple that rented their basement to Roush on Bounds Street said yesterday that police brought them the blanket that Sofia's body was wrapped in and asked if they could identify it.
Charles and Patti Hudson said they recognized the sky-blue, plaid blanket as one that was on the back of the couch in the basement den.
The Hudsons also said they are confident that Sofia was never in their house. Patti Hudson, who does not work or drive, said she is home most of the time and would have heard or seen Sofia if she'd been in the house with Roush.
Several Bounds Street residents interviewed yesterday said that Sofia wasn't usually down at Roush's end of the street. But one neighbor said Sofia had visited her, and she lives in the house across from the one Roush lived in.
Theresa Smiley, 16, said Sofia made several visits after Theresa's son was born in April. Sofia came by to see the little boy and to drop off schoolwork, Theresa said.
"Sofia was real friendly," she said.
Theresa said she had said hello to Roush on a few occasions when she saw him in his van, which he parked in front of her family's home. She didn't know whether Sofia had ever met him. Roush moved into the neighborhood in May.
Roush's name came up in connection with Sofia's slaying in November, when police obtained warrants to search his home, his van and his body.
Roush had gone to Florida by then, but he turned himself in to the King George Sheriff's Office later that month. Police said at the time that they were still looking at a number of suspects.
Two weeks ago, police announced that they were focusing on one suspect and expected to make an arrest today. Sources said then that the suspect is Roush.
Roush has a lengthy criminal record of theft and driving convictions but has not been convicted of a violent crime. He has been in the Rappahannock Regional Jail since he turned himself in and is being held without bond.
He was arrested in Spotsylvania on a shoplifting charge on Oct. 21, a week after Sofia's body was found. He was released on bond on Nov. 6, a week before the search warrants were filed.
Roush is also accused of failing to appear in court in Fredericksburg.
Roush's mother called a reporter recently and said her son wanted to tell his side of the story. She said he is innocent and didn't know Sofia.
Roush also told Free LanceöStar reporters that he is innocent. But an interview at the jail was cut short when Roush announced that he would not talk further unless he had a written agreement stating that he'd be allowed to proofread and approve any story before it ran.
Neely said he would not seek the death penalty against Roush because he would not be able to prove that Sofia was tortured before she died. He also said that the fact that Roush has no convictions for violent crimes would make it hard to get a capital murder conviction.
A trial date for Roush would be set at an upcoming arraignment.
Staff reporters Kate Bailey and Jim Hall contributed to this story.
