Defendant Rejects Plea Offer in Sex Abuse Case

By Bersabel Ephrem [former] - February 16, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Sex Abuse | Sexual Assault |

During a Feb. 15 hearing, a defendant rejected a plea offer given by the prosecution.

The 30-year-old defendant is charged with first-degree sexual abuse for allegedly raping an adult victim. According to court documents, the defendant met the victim on a dating site a few days before the offense occurred. 

On May 27, 2021, the defendant called the victim to hang out, documents state. She agreed at which time he went to her house.

The victim told detectives that as soon as she opened the front door, the defendant brushed past her, grabbed her arm, grabbed her by the throat and slammed her on the bed. He pulled his pants down and forced his penis into her mouth. 

On Oct. 1, 2022, the defendant allegedly engaged in another sexual act with another victim in Fairfax County, Virginia. According to court documents, the victim reported that a male forced his way into her hotel room and sexually assaulted her. She stated the male grabbed her by the throat and forcefully pushed her onto the bed and raped her. 

If the defendant pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree sexual abuse, the sentence would have resulted in a 51-month incarceration in prison. 

In addition, the prosecution said that if the plea deal was accepted, no additional charges would be brought against him.

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt explained once more if the defendant accepted the offer, the sentence could be approximately 4.5 years in prison, but if the case went to trial, the maximum penalty for a first-degree sexual assault offense is 30-years. 

The defendant acknowledged understanding the offer but continued to reject it. He declared that he won’t accept a plea offer unless the prosecution makes a better deal.

The next hearing is scheduled for March 31.