Maryland Man Pleads Guilty To Sexually Assaulting Woman In Northwest Washington Woods-Defendant Assaulted Victim In Glover-Archbold Park -

     WASHINGTON – Christopher Wallace, 30, formerly of Bladensburg, Md., pled guilty today to a charge of attempted first-degree sexual abuse for attempting to sexually assault a woman in a park last spring, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. announced.

     Wallace entered the guilty plea in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.  The Honorable Rhonda Reid Winston is to sentence him on Feb. 27, 2015. Wallace faces a statutory maximum of 15 years of imprisonment as well as a potential fine. He also will be required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.

     According to the government’s evidence, on April 1, 2014, at about 7:30 p.m., the victim and Wallace exited a Circulator bus near the Georgetown waterfront in Northwest Washington.  Wallace, whose name was not known to the victim, directed the victim to the Capital Crescent Trail, which they walked along until entering Glover-Archbold Park.  At that point, the victim confronted Wallace over going further into the woods. Wallace grabbed her by her hair and directed her further into the woods.  He then sexually assaulted her. 

     Afterwards, the victim immediately went to a hospital and reported the assault.  She described a distinctive tattoo that her assailant had on his hand, which law enforcement used along with other leads to identify Wallace. He has been in custody since his arrest.

     In announcing the plea, U.S. Attorney Machen praised the work performed by those who investigated the case from the United States Park Police and Metro Transit Police Departments.  He also expressed appreciation for the assistance of the Metropolitan Police Department. He acknowledged the work of those who handled the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Victim/Witness Advocate Tracey Hawkins and Paralegal Specialist Jason Manuel.

     Finally, he commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeff T. Cook, who investigated and prosecuted the matter.