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Press Release
Press Release
WASHINGTON – Michael Hilliard, 64, pleaded guilty on December 19, 2023, to two misdemeanor charges for sexually abusing a woman and physically assaulting another, both of whom were strangers to him. He was sentenced by the Honorable Hiram E. Puig-Lugo, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, to 180 days on the misdemeanor sexual abuse charge—the maximum sentence available by statute—and 30 days on the misdemeanor assault charge, with the sentences to run consecutively to each other.
According to the government’s evidence, in the first offense, on June 28, 2023, Mr. Hilliard was observed by the victim walking in and out of traffic at 326 Rhode Island Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001. Mr. Hilliard approached the victim asking for water and, after she obliged, he proceeded to rummage through her vehicle. After the victim told Mr. Hillard to stop, he struck her left arm then fled the area. He was apprehended shortly thereafter.
In the second offense, on August 16, 2023, Mr. Hilliard approached the driver’s side of the victim’s vehicle at 14th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005, demanding money. After the victim stated she did not have any cash, Mr. Hilliard reached into the open window and grabbed her breast. The terrified victim inquired what he was doing, and Mr. Hilliard responded that he was grabbing her “titty.” Mr. Hilliard was apprehended shortly thereafter.
Following these guilty pleas, Mr. Hilliard now has 26 misdemeanor sexual abuse convictions since 1999. His most recent sentencing for misdemeanor sexual abuse took place on January 4, 2023, where he also received the statutory maximum of 180 days. Additionally, he was convicted of a 4th degree sexual offense in Montgomery County, Maryland, on October 3, 2022, for which he is on supervision until 2025.
Mr. Hilliard has remained detained since his August 2023 arrest.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They also commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexis Dunlap and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Betty Jean McNeil, who prosecuted the case through the guilty plea and sentencing.