[PR] District Man Pleads Guilty to Attacking Woman in Her Apartment’s Stairwell, Intending to Rape Her

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, October 25, 2019

           WASHINGTON – Ratek Bogan, 45, of the District, pleaded guilty today to assaulting a woman on August 26, 2019, in the stairwell of her apartment building, intending to rape her, U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Liu announced today.

          Bogan pleaded guilty to assault with intent to commit first degree sexual abuse.  The Honorable Craig Iscoe scheduled sentencing for January 10, 2020.  Bogan faces up to 15 years in prison.

           According to the government’s evidence, the victim encountered Bogan on Minnesota Avenue, S.E. She asked Bogan if he would help carry her groceries into her apartment building, and he followed the victim into her building.  Once inside the building, Bogan grabbed the woman, intending to rape her.  At that point, however, one of the victim’s neighbor’s opened his door, asked Bogan what he was doing and told Bogan that he was going to call 911.  Responding to the neighbor’s 911 call, officers of the Metropolitan Police Department arrived on the scene, confronted Bogan there and arrested him.

           In announcing the plea, U.S. Attorney Liu commended the work of the Sexual Assault Unit of the Metropolitan Police Department, and officers of MPD’s Sixth District. She also acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialist Brenda C. Williams and Victim/ Witness Advocate Tracey Hawkins.  Finally, U.S. Attorney Liu commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter V. Taylor, who investigated and prosecuted this case.