Maryland Man Sentenced to 3 ½-Year Prison Term For Sexually Assaulting Woman in Northwest Washington Woods

            WASHINGTON – Christopher Wallace, 30, formerly of Bladensburg, Md., was sentenced today to 42 months in prison for attempting to sexually assault a woman in a park last year, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. announced.

            Wallace pled guilty in December 2014, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, to a charge of attempted first-degree sexual abuse. He was sentenced by the Honorable Rhonda Reid Winston. Upon completion of his prison term, Wallace will be placed on 10 years of supervised release. 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 sentence, 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.