Judge Criticizes Police Policy in Sexual Assault  

By Isabella Quink [former] - March 22, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Sex Abuse | Sexual Assault | Suspects | Victims |

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt criticized the thoroughness of a Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) investigation of a sexual assault case during a March 22 preliminary hearing.

“A man’s liberty is at stake,” Judge Brandt said.

The 38-year-old defendant is charged with third-degree sexual abuse and assault with intent to commit first-degree sexual abuse linked  to an incident on Feb. 28 at the Generator Hotel and Hostel on the 1900 block of Connecticut Avenue, NW.

The victim says she was staying in the same room with the defendant, even though they just met. Then after she declined multiple sexual advances Rosales came up behind her at a desk and started to touch her inappropriately. 

An MPD detective testified there was sufficient evidence to charge the defendant. 

During cross-examination, defense attorney Aubrey Dillion asked if police questioned the victim about whether she was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the alleged attack.

The detective testified it is not protocol to ask sensitive questions to someone who’d just experienced a sexual assault.

Judge Brandt said the MPD should rethink its approach in these cases to gather as much evidence as possible. 

The detective said he asked the victim if she had been under the influence, but she responded no.  However, the officer emphasized it wasn’t standard procedure to gather that kind of information. 

The preliminary hearing is scheduled to continue on March 28.