Cape Charles, Va. — The Chesapeake Bay envelopes this quiet coastal town, flanked by numerous churches and pleasant, tourist seasonal shops and eateries. But beneath the polite hellos and the slow, sleepy drawl of beach summers, there is something else—a silence that has grown heavier with each passing year.
It is the kind of silence that keeps secrets. The kind that shields predators.
For years, Cape Charles has harbored whispers of a man who got “too close” to the girls. Of girls and women who changed, suddenly and quietly, who stopped smiling. Everyone noticed, and some know why.
Editor’s Note: This story is inspired by a good friend who called to remind me of what many have been aware of for some time, and people like this writer have memory-holed for too long. All identities have been omitted for obvious reasons.
In towns like this, the truth is a complicated currency. Victims say coming forward means not just accusing a man, but accusing someone well-known, wealthy, powerful, and a cornerstone of the business community.
In Cape Charles and similar towns across rural America, this is an all too familiar story. Law enforcement officers and members of the community often attend church with the men they’re asked to investigate. They sit together at ballgames. Their kids play on the same teams.
The biggest obstacle is proximity. You’re not investigating strangers. You’re investigating people you know well. Sometimes, powerful players.
There have been reports from females who described repeated sexual abuse by a man–in the end, the women backed away, and charges vanished into the mist.
The unspoken rule weighs down–think about the town. If they pushed it, it would be seen as stirring up trouble where it wasn’t welcome. There’s no hiding in a small town.
Those who do try to report often find themselves met with reality–would anyone ever believe their story?
Many women in this town are aware of this; they believe each other, and they support each other.
However, money, power, and Cape Charles’ reputation make it hard, maybe impossible, to step out into the light.
Law enforcement has its hands tied. What can you do without charges and an official report?
Meanwhile, many of the girls have left and never come back.
What do you do about a place that prioritizes reputation over truth?
Still, for the victims, the cost of truth remains high. The potential backlash can be swift and vicious.
That is the message many girls walk away with. Don’t bring shame to this town, even if someone else brought shame to you.
As always, for the victims, there’s no resolution. No apology. Just a man living his life. And the girls who are trying to build a new one.
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Oh I bet that’s definitely happening in cape charles. No doubt in my mind. By multiple.
Well if you are so sure, Ms. Format, why don’t you make a formal accusation and name names instead of feeding the rumor mill?
Editor’s Note: Agreed. Did not really want or know how to write about this, but it’s out there…the rumor needs to either disappear, or something formal needs to put forward.
Fact or fiction urban myth?
Very sad indeed. So much is covered up. Not just him. Maybe reach out to Richmond ppl about corruption.
From strs to entitlement issues
Wayne, thank you for being the kind of journalist who rises above the typical left or right narratives by taking a stand and shedding light on issues like this. Any form of awareness is important. It’s a sad reality — one that, as you mentioned, often goes unaddressed formally. The legal system takes charges and allegations very seriously, but unfortunately, anecdotal evidence alone is rarely enough. Still, if enough people come forward with similar stories, with no motivation other than the truth, maybe there’s a chance to create change — to send a message that this kind of behavior leaves deep, lasting ripple effects. Internalized violence, shame, guilt, fear, even people fleeing — it might sound dramatic, but it’s the truth. It creates a ripple effect that ultimately destroys former friendships, trust and even families. The quiet aftermath no one sees behind closed doors? Sleepless nights, PTSD, anxiety, depression, and sometimes even eating disorders or a preoccupation with weight/appearance. There is a strong link to instances of sexual assault, and the range of what that defines, and subsequent onset of symptoms related to these aforementioned conditions.
This story is not based in rumor mills, simpletons, and if you think it is well I dare say you haven’t lived here long. Nor are we speaking of urban myths – how cute! Does Cape Charles value reputation over truth? I think not…. We all know of whom is spoken here (and no it is not many but an astounding ONE!), and as the story alludes, this person is continually spared in consideration for their wife and children. Because in this small interwoven town, their stories interlock with the victims in ways that are so incredibly personal. That, and for only that reason, have charges not been brought forward. There have been many discussions – Pruitt and police force is well aware. Has no one considered that families haven’t been bought? Please…. Let the story grow, let him writhe in discomfort, let a path forward be forged.
Editor’s Note: Thank you Claudette, great comment.
Wayne, nobody is silent about this, everyone knows and everyone talks. The unfortunate part is that without victims stepping forward and pressing charges, he will fail to be held accountable. Understandably it’s traumatic for victims to have to testify and endure that process, so many choose not to. As we’ve seen in society time and time again, when women come forward it often becomes a smear campaign. “She’s unstable, don’t believe her, she asked for it, etc etc.” Those victims want to avoid retraumatization so they choose to stay quiet and go about their lives the best they can. The problem isn’t with the town of Cape Charles or its people it’s with the justice system not protecting victims that come forward by allowing them to remain anonymous in public trial.
Editor’s Note: Thank you Sara. You nailed it.
What are we talking about here?
Rape, sodomy, improper touching, frottage, rude crude suggestions, lewd looks, assault, exposing himself?
If the State Police, Sheriff’s Office, Cape Charles PD or even 10 on Your Side are not willing to investigate, that could indicate one of either two things: 1) A serious problem.
2) Another small town rumor.
Any accusers take a polygraph?
Cape Charles chief of police is well aware
I’m going with 1) based on personal knowledge.
I would certainly expect NCSO to be willing to conduct a full and complete investigation.
Several if the victims could get together and go talk to them.
That would be my suggestion.
Sadly sexual aggression towards women and minorities is nothing new, but many of the the tools perpetrators now use, are. Computers, cell phones, cameras, video surveillance are employed to entrap and silence their victims, as well as their own families who might otherwise might flee or come forward to the authorities.
Hiding behind a glossy image, the perpetrator believes he can fly high above reproach due to an inflated sense of power, privilege and entitlement. He may not have been brought to legal justice yet, but the idea that this assailant has somehow flown “under the radar” for all these years is false. As a member of this community for many years, I’ve heard similar stories spoken in confidence by female friends, coworkers, and now the daughters of my friends. Those of us in this community who have heard their stories, believe them, and warn our friends and family to stay away from the predator’s lairs. I only hope that one day justice will prevail and the proverbial snake in the grass will be publicly exposed and forced to face the consequences of his actions.
If the #MeToo movement has shown us anything, it’s that the outdated rhetoric used to malign and discredit victims of sexual harassment needs to change. I don’t need a polygraph test to know that all these women in my community are telling the truth. If anything, the burden of truth should be on the perpetrator to prove that did not actually harm so many women who have harbored similar stories over the years.
The dialogue around this article is a good starting point for discussion about broader issues surrounding violence and sexual harassment in our society. I commend the Mirror for shining a light on a subject no one wants to discuss, as well as the survivor for speaking out. Nationwide the statistics are staggering– 81% of women report experiencing some form of sexual harassment or assault in their lifetime and 1 in 5 is the victim of rape. And those are just the ones we know about… As a society, we should all be outraged.
If anyone who is reading this is a victim or knows someone in need of help, there is a 24/7 hotline provided by the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance– text (804) 793-9999 or call (800) 838-8238 – https://vsdvalliance.org/ Locally, the Eastern Shore Coalition Against Domestic Violence also provides support to victims of sexual assault– (757) 787-1329– http://www.escadv.org
I appreciate the steps you’ve made to bring an issue to light, and the practical advice of Supporting Survivors. If not through the Eastern Shore Coalition Against DV, is there a local advocate who is willing to provide their email address/phone along with some personal information or proof of work with these crimes (whether through an org or through their job) who could also guarantee anonymity measures for victims wishing to at least speak about their experiences? Knowing that there’s a safe place to share and talk through both the situation with one safe person without any worry about where it will lead to could encourage survivors to take the first step of sharing their story, purely for the power of speaking aloud. In scenarios where victims know that the offense is pervasive, reporting feels even more intimidating because of the fear that they’d be the “only one” of many to speak out (per RAINN.org). Being the first to speak out is intimidating at best and asking the young person traumatized to do more than the adults aware of the situation around them were willing to do at worst.
VICTIMS: If not someone local or one of the resources suggested by Supporting Survivors, consider https://www.nsvrc.org/, the chat or call options at https://rainn.org/resources or https://www.inhope.org/EN for abuse of a different nature. All are anonymous and designed to help you with what you’re going through. You could feel angry, ashamed, lonely, betrayed, and even guilty or confused. Start with talking to someone.
You Are Not Alone. Help Is Here.
The Eastern Shore Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ESCADV) is here to support survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. We can guarantee confidentiality within our organization, not through the criminal justice system. We will be with you 100% of the way!
💬 Our Sexual Assault Advocate is dedicated to helping survivors process trauma, access medical and emotional care, and navigate the criminal justice system.
🧠 We offer a free weekly sexual assault support group that continues to grow every week—a safe space to be heard, understood, and supported.
Too often, survivors are shamed or not believed. But let’s be clear: no one asks to be assaulted. No one deserves it. The shame belongs to the perpetrator, never the victim.
Whether you’re ready to talk, need support, or just want someone to listen, we’re here for you.
📞 Call: 757-787-1329
📧 Email: kwalter@escadv.org or smariner@escadv.org
🌐 Learn more: http://www.escadv.org