SPORTS: McCarter-led Patriot High football team has big plans for 2024. SPORTS, PAGE 7
August 29, 2024 | Vol. 23, No. 36 | www.princewilliamtimes.com | $2.00 Covering Prince William County and surrounding communities, including Gainesville, Haymarket, Dumfries, Occoquan, Quantico and the cities of Manassas and Manassas Park.
Husband arrested in missing wife’s disappearance
Mamta Kafle Bhatt, a 28-year-old nurse and mother, is presumed dead By Cher Muzyk Staff Writer
Naresh Bhatt will remain in jail while awaiting trial on one felony charge in connection with his wife Mamta Kafle Bhatt’s disappearance nearly a month ago. On Monday, a prosecutor presented new evidence in the case alleging that Bhatt used his government laptop for searches on topics such as: “How long does (it) take to get remarried after spouse dies?” Naresh Bhatt, 37, was arrested Thursday, Aug. 22 after police found “a substantial amount of digital and forensic evidence” indicating a dead body had been present in the Manassas Park home he shared with his wife,
Mamta Kafle Bhatt, 28, and their 1-year-old daughter. Judge Lisa Michelle Baird found Naresh Bhatt, a former U.S. Army soldier and government contractor with a security clearance, both “a flight risk and a danger to the community” and remanded him to jail to await trial on one felony count of “concealment of a dead body.” Mamta Kafle Bhatt was last seen on July 27, and her body has not yet been found. Naresh Bhatt has not been charged with murder, although the criminal complaint in the matter says: “Bhatt murdered his wife, Mamta Bhatt.” On Monday, Aug. 26, Prince William County prosecutor Sarah Sami said, “Every indication in this case is that Mamta Kafle Bhatt is no longer alive.” Sami also presented new evidence that the U.S. Secret Service told Manassas Park
Nepali community rallied support for Matmta Kalfe Bhatt, page 3 police that Naresh Bhatt used a government laptop to “perform interesting Google searches in April 2024,” Sami said. The two searches read: “What happens died spouse?” (sic) and “How long does (it) take to get remarried after spouse dies?” Sami said. Mamta Kafle Bhatt is from Nepal and has been in the U.S. for the last few years. The couple married about three years ago but had been having marital trouble over the past year, according to friends. Sami also presented evidence that the Manassas Park police were called to the couple’s home in February, and Mamta Kafle Bhatt told police her husband See MAMTA, page 2
STAFF PHOTO BY CHER MUZYK
Naresh Bhatt, the husband of Mamta Kafle Bhatt, was arrested Aug. 22 in connection with his wife’s disappearance and is being held without bond.
Dumfries pastor takes lead role in pro-Trump group
After 30 years in ministry, Potomac Valley Church lead pastor Will Archer is opening up about his conservative politics By Evelyn Mejia Staff Writer
PHOTO BY DOUG STROUD
Pastor Will Archer speaks during a Juneteenth event at Prince William Forest Park. 88 DULLES, VA
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Will Archer has led the large and diverse Potomac Valley Church in Dumfries for the past 10 years. As a Black pastor, he says, most people expect that he’s a Democrat and a progressive, but, in fact, he is taking on a big role to try to elect Donald Trump president. Archer, 49, is a political conservative who said his views are built on his Christian faith. He opposes abortion and supports Trump because of his views on that issue and for
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Trump’s support for limited government and stricter immigration policies than those of the Biden Administration. “These are not new views, but these are views that are based on my commitment to my faith and humanity,” Archer said. In June, Archer took over as chairman of the Virginia Faith & Freedom Coalition, an affiliate of a national conservative political advocacy nonprofit that is supporting Trump and other Republicans in November. Archer See PASTOR, page 2
Trouvaille brews up community in Haymarket, page 4 Scan below to check out The JAM