A serial rapist was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of release for home invasion sexual assaults committed in 2007 and 2010 in Northwest D.C.
Ronald P. Berton, Jr., 48, was sentenced to life without the possibility of release plus 27 years for a June 2010 home invasion and sexual assault of an adult woman; and to life without the possibility of release for the October 2007 home invasion and sexual assault of another adult woman.
The sentences, which will run consecutively to each other, were announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Robert J. Contee, III, of the Metropolitan Police Department.
In the case from 2010, Berton was found guilty, in February of 2023, of first-degree burglary, kidnapping, first degree sexual abuse with aggravating circumstances, assault with intent to commit first degree sexual abuse, and attempted first degree sexual abuse with aggravating circumstances.
In the 2007 case, Berton was found guilty, in March of 2020, of kidnapping and first-degree sexual abuse with aggravating circumstances.
The Metropolitan Police Department is committed to closing every case, no matter how long it takes.
Berton was developed as a suspect in this case in approximately 2017, when detectives with MPD’s Cold Case Sexual Assault Unit identified him as the suspect in a 2007 home invasion sexual assault.
In that case, Berton had entered the ground level Adams Morgan apartment of a 27 year-old woman who was sleeping. The defendant restrained and sexually assaulted her and then stole her phone and fled.
Berton was later identified as the perpetrator of this offense by his DNA profile. He was convicted of the 2007 crimes in a March 2020 trial, in which the jury found him guilty of kidnapping and first-degree sexual abuse with aggravating circumstances.
Berton also has a 2014 rape conviction in the Commonwealth of Virginia, Arlington.
This case is a testament to the hard work and dedication of law enforcement and the justice system.
Defendant: Ronald P. Berton, Jr.
Criminal Charges: First-degree burglary, kidnapping, first degree sexual abuse with aggravating circumstances, assault with intent to commit first degree sexual abuse, and attempted first degree sexual abuse with aggravating circumstances.
City and State: Washington DC
Exact Date: June 12, 2010, and October 2007
Sentence: Life without the possibility of release plus 27 years, and life without the possibility of release
Keywords: Ronald P. Berton, Jr., Home Invasion Sexual Assaults, Washington DC 2007 and 2010
Related Federal Cases
- Jerome M. Holliway, Sexual Assault, Washington DC 2017 · Maryland
- Omar Afzali, Sexual Assault, Washington DC 2016 · District of Columbia
- Robert Wayne Roady, Attempted Sexual Exploitation of a Child, Oregon 2020 · Hawaii
- Labib Chammas, Sex Abuse, Washington, 2023 · Texas
- Gregory Kyle Seerden, Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, VA 2024 · New Hampshire
Key Facts
- State: Washington DC
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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