FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, September 17, 2021

District Man Pleads Guilty to Sexually Abusing Two Women in Separate Incidents in Northwest Washington 

Defendant Now Has 24 Misdemeanor Sex Abuse Convictions Since 1999

            WASHINGTON – Michael Hilliard, 62, formerly of Washington, D.C, pleaded guilty today to sexually abusing two women, both of whom were strangers to him, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips.

            Hilliard pleaded guilty to two counts of misdemeanor sex abuse. He faces a statutory maximum of 360 days of incarceration – 180 days for each conviction. Additionally, as part of the plea agreement, he agreed to register as a sex offender for the next 10 years. Hilliard will be sentenced on Nov. 17, 2021, by the Honorable Jonathan H. Pittman in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.

            According to the government’s evidence, in the first offense, on May 21, 2021, at about 11:25 a.m., Hilliard approached the victim as she walked toward the PNC Bank at the corner of 14th and P Streets NW. He made verbal sexual advances toward the victim, who ignored him as he proceeded to follow her. The victim later left the bank and entered her vehicle. As she waited at the traffic light on the corner of 14th and P Streets, Hilliard approached the driver’s side of her vehicle, reached into the open window, and grabbed her breast.

            In the second offense, on July 10, 2021, at about 2:05 p.m., Hilliard approached another victim during her shift at a convenience store located near Thomas Circle NW and told her that he was hungry. As the victim went to prepare a sandwich for him, he reached behind her and grabbed her buttocks. When the victim turned around, Hilliard reached between her legs and grabbed her vaginal area.

            Following these guilty pleas, Hilliard now has 24 misdemeanor sexual abuse convictions since 1999. Hilliard was arrested in these cases on July 12, 2021 and has since been detained.

            In announcing the pleas, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillips commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). He also expressed appreciation for the work of those who handled the case at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Veronica Vaughan and Lezlie Richardson of the Victim/Witness Assistance Unit. Finally, he commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Sandra R. Braschi, who prosecuted both cases.