Maryland Man Pleads Guilty to Sexually Assaulting
13-Year-Old Acquaintance in Attack at Apartment

     WASHINGTON - Duane Hill, 26, formerly of Clinton, Md., pled guilty today to one count of second-degree child sexual abuse stemming from a sexual attack earlier this summer against a 13-year-old girl, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. announced.

     Hill pled guilty in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The Honorable Ronna L. Beck set sentencing for Oct. 26, 2012. Hill faces a statutory maximum of 10 years in prison.

     According to the government’s factual proffer at today’s plea hearing, in the early morning hours of July 1, 2012, Hill and the victim were staying overnight in an apartment in Southeast Washington. Both were there because they had relatives who lived in the residence. During the night, Hill sexually assaulted the victim, who reported the attack shortly afterward to an adult relative of hers who lived in the apartment. The relative immediately called the police.

     Police interviewed Hill about the allegations. After initially denying that anything had occurred, he admitted what had taken place.

     In announcing the guilty plea, U.S. Attorney Machen praised the work of the detectives and officers who investigated the case for the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), especially members of MPD’s Youth Investigations Division. He also commended the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Jason Manuel, Victim Advocate Veronica Vaughan and members of MPD’s Youth Investigations Division. Finally, U.S. Attorney Machen commended Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter V. Taylor, who investigated and prosecuted this case.

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