District Man Sentenced To 20 Years In Prison

For Attacking Woman Inside Her Northwest Washington Home
-Defendant Approached Victim as She Was Locking Outside Security Gate-

     WASHINGTON – Omar Rimmer, 39, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 20 years in prison for an early-morning attack in which he forced his way into a woman’s residence and attempted to sexually assault her, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. announced.

     Rimmer was found guilty by a jury in August 2014 of assault with intent to commit first-degree sexual assault, attempted first-degree sexual assault, first-degree burglary, and kidnapping. The verdict followed a trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. He was sentenced by the Honorable Russell F. Canan. Upon completion of his prison term, Rimmer will be placed on 10 years of supervised release. He also must register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.

     According to the government’s evidence, on Feb. 5, 2011, at about 3:15 a.m., the victim was walking home in the 500 block of Florida Avenue NW.  Rimmer approached her from behind and began making small talk.  When she reached her home, Rimmer continued walking.  The victim unlocked the security gate and door. When she turned to close the security gate, Rimmer reappeared and asked the victim if he knew her.  She did not.

     As the victim turned the key to lock the security gate, Rimmer pulled the gate open, breaking the key off in the lock.  Rimmer then forced his way inside the residence and pushed the victim to the floor.  He got on top of the victim and began choking her while trying to remove her clothing.  The victim was able to scream her male roommate’s name, which caused Rimmer to hesitate.  The victim seized that opportunity to escape and lock herself in an upstairs bathroom and call 911. 

     In his haste to flee, Rimmer left behind a cigarette butt and a scarf inside the residence.  These items contained his DNA, which led to his arrest. 

     In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Machen commended the work performed by those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department.  He also acknowledged the efforts of those who handled the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Victim/Witness Advocate Elsa Resendiz; Criminal Investigator Nelson Rhone; Paralegal Specialist Jason Manuel; David Foster and La June Thames, of the Victim/Witness Assistance Unit; and Information Technology Specialist Anisha Bhatia.  Finally, he praised the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeff T. Cook, who investigated and prosecuted the matter.