Holliway Sentenced to Over 17 Years for Courthouse Assault

Jerome M. Holliway, a 37-year-old man from Washington, D.C., has been sentenced to 17½ years in prison for a brutal sexual assault that took place in a courthouse cellblock last fall. The attack occurred on November 11, 2016, when Holliway targeted another defendant who was awaiting transport back to jail.

Holliway pled guilty in March 2017 to first-degree sex abuse charges, with the court’s approval leading to the agreed-upon sentence of 17½ years. The Honorable José M. López oversaw the sentencing today. Following his release from prison, Holliway will be placed on lifetime supervised release and must register as a sex offender.

According to government evidence, Holliway began attacking the victim at approximately 11:35 a.m., subjecting him to beatings, biting, kicking, and sexual assault in areas behind a metal divider. After the attack, Holliway tried to cover up his actions by suggesting that someone else, such as a ghost or devil, was responsible.

In addition to the sex abuse charge, Holliway also pled guilty to attempted threats, resulting from a voicemail left for his estranged wife on October 5, 2016. He threatened to beat her and harm anyone she loved. Judge López sentenced him to an additional 180 days in prison for this offense, which will run concurrently with the sex abuse sentence.

U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips commended the U.S. Marshals Service and Metropolitan Police Department for their investigation of these cases. He also thanked Paralegal Specialist D’Yvonne Key, Victim/Witness Advocate Supervisor Dr. Lorraine Chase, Victim/Witness Advocate Shawn Slade, Assistant U.S. Attorney Elana Suttenberg, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Poulin for their work on the case.