York Sheriffs Arrest Man in Case Alleging Sex Crimes in 1981

By Sam Thrift Thursday, December 08, 2011

The York County Sheriff’s Office arrested a 70-year-old York County man yesterday for alleged sex crimes involving a female child 30 years ago.

Franklin Lee Gootee is charged with aggravated sexual battery, two counts of inanimate object penetration and abduction. The crime occurred in his home, located in the 200 block of Dawson Drive in York County, between Oct. 1981 and Nov. 1981. The victim was an acquaintance.

Virginia Code states, “With the exception of marital rape and marital sexual assault there is not statute of limitations on felony charges in Virginia. Further, Virginia code places a one year limitation on the prosecution of most misdemeanor charges; misdemeanors related to child abuse fall under this limitation.”

Gootee currently lives in the 100 block of Chadwick Court in York County. He was arrested at his residence without incident.

Gootee is being held without bond at the Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail.