Sex Abuse Defendant Claims Negligent Treatment in Virginia Jail

By Alayna Stein [former] - March 30, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Sex Abuse | Sexual Assault |

During a March 27 status hearing, a defendant complained about his treatment at a jail in Northern Neck, VA. 

The 44-year-old defendant is charged with multiple counts, including first-degree burglary while armed, counts of first-degree sexual abuse while armed, first-degree sexual abuse, and one count of first-degree child sexual abuse, kidnapping, assault with a dangerous weapon, and obstruction. The defendant is also charged in a felony domestic violence case.

The defendant was jailed on charges that date back to incidents from between 1999 and 2007. 

The assaults allegedly occurred on the 1400 block of Fairmont Street, NW between December 1999 and December 2000; the 1400 block of Euclid Street, NW on July 2, 2003; the 1700 block of Harvard Street, NW on June 3, 2007; and the 1400 block of Columbia Road, NW on Sept. 8, 2007.

The jail has been “negligent” in his medical care, the defendant said. 

Another issue raised by defense attorney Howard Mceachern is  the distance from the jail to Washington, DC. Mceachern currently drives 90 minutes each way in order to meet with his client.

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt agreed that trial preparations would be easier if the defendant were housed in the same jurisdiction as his attorney. 

But, she explained she doesn’t have the judicial authority to relocate him. Brandt said she intends to communicate with the DC Jail and “see what [she] can do.”

A hearing on DNA evidence, along with trial readiness, is scheduled for April 19.