Grimy Times has learned that Gerald Canty, 24, of Washington, D.C., has been convicted of sex assault in a brazen daylight attack in Northeast Washington.
According to court documents, Canty pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree sexual abuse in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The plea, which is contingent upon the Court’s approval, calls for a 10-year prison sentence to be served consecutively to a 21-year prison term Canty already is serving.
The attack took place on December 17, 2013, in the 4600 block of Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenue NE. Canty approached the 17-year-old victim and brandished an object that she believed was a gun, demanding her property and ultimately forcing her to perform a sexual act on him under a footbridge.
The victim made an immediate report to the Metropolitan Police Department, and DNA later linked Canty to the attack. Canty is already serving a 21-year prison term for a series of other incidents that took place near the Minnesota Avenue Metro Station in 2014.
Acting U.S. Attorney Vincent H. Cohen, Jr. commended the work of the Metropolitan Police Department, including officers and detectives from the Youth Investigations Division and the Sixth District. He also expressed appreciation for the work of MPD’s Sexual Assault Unit and the District of Columbia Department of Forensic Sciences.
The Honorable Lynn Leibovitz scheduled sentencing for June 19, 2015. Canty’s lawyer could not be reached for comment. The case is a stark reminder of the dangers that exist in our city, and the bravery of the victim who came forward to report the crime.
The case is a testament to the dedication of the Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in bringing justice to the victims of sex crimes. We will continue to follow this story and provide updates as more information becomes available.
Key Facts
- State: Washington DC
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
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