District Man Pleads Guilty To Sexually Assaulting Woman At Apartment Complex In Northwest Washington-Defendant Was Identified Through Video Surveillance-

     WASHINGTON – Jahlani Brown, 21, of Washington, D.C., pled guilty today to a charge stemming from the recent sexual assault of a rental office employee at an apartment building in Northwest Washington, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. announced.

     Brown pled guilty in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia to first-degree sexual abuse. The Honorable John Ramsey Johnson scheduled sentencing for Jan. 10, 2014.  In addition to prison time, Brown will be required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.

     According to the government’s evidence, on Sept. 17, 2013, at about 9 a.m., the victim reported to her office in the Shaw area of Northwest Washington and began preparing for her workday.  Brown, who was captured on video surveillance, entered the office and locked the door. He sexually assaulted, threatened, and robbed the victim before leaving the office.

     The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) released surveillance images to the media in hopes of generating information, and neighboring businesses and community members cooperated with law enforcement in getting the word out about the attack. Brown was arrested two days after the assault and has been in custody ever since.

     In announcing the plea, U.S. Attorney Machen commended the work performed by those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Sexual Assault Unit.  He also praised those who handled the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialist D’Yvonne Key and Assistant U.S. Attorney Mervin A. Bourne, Jr., who investigated and prosecuted the matter.