True Crime Tuesday:
Today's case is an ongoing investigation, and therefore the information is subject to change. The information below is based on combing through newspaper articles, documents, and court docket sheets. The case takes place in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, a county approximately 2 hours west of Philadelphia, and 2 hours north of Baltimore, Maryland. Note, all are considered innocent until proven guilty by a Judge, jury, or by their own admission in a court of law.
Case Timeline:
On Sunday, June 21, 2020, at approximately 9:00 am, Linda Stoltzfoos (18 years old) went to her church services as she did many times before. At approximately 12:30 pm, she left the church and began to walk the mile-long trip home to change her clothing prior to planning on heading to a youth group. Linda was walking along Stumptown Road, and last seen between the intersections of Gibbons Road and Beechdale Road. Reports later indicate that Linda was kidnapped at or around 12:42 pm based on video footage that depicts a red, Kia Rio driving in the area where Linda was last seen.
[Photo credit: PSP through LNP]
When Linda did not return home that evening, her father reported her missing to the East Lampeter Township Police Department at approximately 2:00 a.m.
The very next day, June 22, 2020, volunteers begin searching the area for Linda.
On Wednesday, June 24, 2020, the FBI joins the East Lampeter Township Police Department in the search for Linda.
On July 8, the vehicle seen in the footage is identified by authorities as Justo Smoker's. Two days later, the FBI offers a $10,000 reward for information that would help lead to finding Linda. Early July 11, Justo Smoker (age 34) from the area, is charged in connection to Linda's disappearance. He is officially charged with one Felony 1 (F1) count of kidnap to inflict injury/terror and one Misdemeanor 2 (M2) count of false imprisonment. Smoker was denied bail. Smoker initially denies being in the areas described by police but then recanted once shown evidence that he was in the area. Smoker became a suspect after several witnesses reported seeing a red/orange vehicle in the area, with an "Amish woman" in it.
Smoker was arrested at his workplace, Dutchland, Inc., located approximately 12 miles southeast of the area Linda was last seen. Also on July 10, clothing believed to belong to Linda, including a bra and stockings, was found buried "several inches" below the ground near 3104 Harvest Drive in Ronks. Smoker's vehicle was reported to be seen at and near this address on June 23.
On Monday, July 13, volunteer searches cease, and all future searches are being conducted by law enforcement personnel.
On Thursday, July 16, pictures of Smoker's red Kia Rio are posted in hopes of getting additional tips from the public. His vehicle had a "LCM" sticker on it.
Little updates come in in the following weeks until Smoker's preliminary hearing is held on August 5th. After a two-and-a-half hour hearing, the charges are held for the common pleas level court, with a formal arraignment date set for August 28, 2020 at 10:00 am. During the hearing, additional information became public, including evidence, a "red zip tie", found near 3104 Harvest Drive, the same location where clothing that is suspected of belonging to Linda was found.
As of today, August 18, 2020, no new information has been released related to the case and the media has grown quiet in coverage of it.
[Photo credit: FBI]
Background on Justo Smoker:
Justo Smoker, 34, was adopted by Vernon and Deb Smoker at the age of seven. At the age of 20, Justo and his brother, Victor (18 at the time), were charged and plead guilty to several robberies at stores during the time of August 8 to August 13, 2006. The brothers were reported to use a loaded BB gun at the robberies. Justo was sentenced to 12.5 to 30 years in prison for his role in the crimes. He was released on February 28, 2019, which would be just around his "minimum date". His brother was released on parole in 2016. Justo would still have 17.5 years to serve on parole with his sentence.
Additional Information about Linda:
Linda Stoltzfoos is 18 years old, born November 18, 2001, has brown hair, blue eyes, and is approximately 5' 10", 125 pounds. Several vigils and a "prayer ride" have taken place since her disappearance in the area. Linda's favorite color is yellow, and was worn by many at the vigils. The support from the community has been nothing short of widespread and outpouring.
Thoughts for future case actions:
Since his time incarcerated, it is unlikely that Smoker has provided information sufficient enough to 1. be charged with homicide/manslaughter or other crimes 2. lead to the location of Linda or 3. others to be charged in connection to the case, based on the fact that two months since her disappearance has gone by and the search continues.
The incident occurred in a very short period of time, approximately a 20 minute window existing between her leaving the church and getting home. That means that whoever is responsible either was already in the area or planned this and knew exactly where she would be.
If Smoker is truly the individual responsible for Linda's disappearance, locations of interest seem to be Harvest Structures (a shed manufacturer) at the 3104 Harvest Drive (where clothing was found), Dutchland, Inc. , a water treatment facility(workplace of Smoker), the area around Stumptown Road, Beechdale Road, and Gibbons Road (near where Linda was last seen). [See map image created].
You'll also notice that the title of my post was "Lancaster County woman" rather than "Amish woman" as many other articles state. I did this on purpose because there is speculation that she was no longer wearing her "Amish" attire. Also, describing her as Amish may limit people's idea of if they saw her or not based on preconceived notions about Amish (where you think you would see them, what they look like, etc).
[Photo/map courtesy of Google Maps; add'l info added in by this author]
Is it possible that with Smoker committing the robberies in 2006 with his brother, and that his brother was involved in this crime too?
It may be important to interview both Justo Smoker's parole officer, and his brother's parole officer, for any additional information. Authorities have been able to utilize cellphone data, video surveillance, and witness testimony to this point. Additional use of all of those, with a focus on the more reliable data versus testimony, is a crucial part of the investigation going forward.
After two long, emotionally draining months, Linda Stoltzfoos, her family, her community all deserve to know what happened to Linda. If anyone reading this has any information, video footage, or remembers seeing a red Kia Rio in this area during the period of June or July, they are asked to contact the Pennsylvania State Police at 717-299-7650, East Lampeter Township Police Department 717-291-4676, or the FBI at 1-800-225-5324.
*This case will be monitored for future posts/updates*
Sources: [Lancaster Online articles: Man Charged with kidnapping, Suspect served time for armed robberies by Ty Lohr 7/12/2020; A full timeline of 18-year-old Linda Stoltzfoos' disappearance so far "by staff" 8/6/2020;Here's what Justo Smoker's car looks like and why investigators want information about its whereabouts around June 21 by Abigail King 7/17/2020; What happened the day Linda Stoltzfoos went missing? Here's what we know by Abigail King 7/13/2020;Ex-PV wrestler gets 12 1/2 - 30 yrs. for area holdups by Janet Kelley 5/22/2007; PA UJS Docket System CP-36-CR-0003319-2020]