Man Arrested on Multiple Sex Abuse Charges

Fairfax County Police Department
Public Information Office
4100 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, Va. 22030
703-246-2253. TTY 703-204-2264. Fax 703-246-4253
FCPD-PIO@fairfaxcounty.gov
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/police
News Release: 09/024/0836/BW/(1)
October 5, 2009

Man Arrested on Multiple Sex Abuse Charges

Sully Police District – In February 2009, a 17 year-old victim of sexual abuse came forward to police. The victim, who was 7 years old at the time, alleges she was abused by the husband of her former piano teacher. The abuse occurred from April 1998 to April 1999 during her weekly piano lessons at the suspect’s former residence, located in the 5700 block of Wood Creek Lane.

Police initiated an investigation and discovered a second victim, 19 years old, who also alleges she was abused under the same circumstances from December 2000 through January 2001. That victim was 11 years old at the time of the offense.

The suspect is a resident of Australia but was recently traveling through Los Angles CA, where he was arrested on September 17. 71-year-old George Desmond Copping was transported to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center on September 30 and charged with three counts of aggravated sexual battery.

Detectives are asking parents who are concerned that Copping may have engaged in inappropriate sexual conduct with their children, or those who may have been a victim themselves, to call police. The investigation continues and additional charges are possible.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Solvers by phone at 1-866-411-TIPS/8477, e-mail at www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org or text “TIP187” plus your message to CRIMES/274637 or call Detective J. Hinson at 703-246-7523 or Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131.