A sex abuse defendant was unable to appear in court due to being in quarantine at the DC Jail.
The 36-year-old defendant allegedly asked a woman at a metro stop if she wanted to “do something” in exchange for money on Sept. 6, 2020. After she declined, he allegedly followed her into a building lobby some blocks away and assaulted her, according to court documents.
He is charged with assault with intent to commit first-degree sexual abuse, first-degree burglary, third-degree sex abuse, misdemeanor sex abuse and lewd, indecent, or obscene acts in relation to the incident.
Parties were informed that the defendant is held in quarantine and would be unable to attend the Sept. 15 hearing. Judge Marisa Demeo said that she was unaware of the defendant’s status until that morning.
Judge Demeo also dismissed defense attorney Steven Ogilvie and appointed Howard McEachern.
The defendant also previously pleaded guilty in a domestic violence case to attempted possession of a prohibited weapon and simple assault in August 2020. Two months later, he was arrested for the current case.
Judge Demeo set a hearing for Oct. 22.
