Man Charged in Hannah Graham Abduction Indicted for Role in 2005 Sexual Assault

The suspect has been tied to a host of abductions and sexual assaults in the area.

Not Available Lead
Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

Not Available Lead

Authorities announced that the man suspected of abducting missing University of Virginia student Hannah Graham has been indicted in a 2005 sexual assault case.  

According to the Washington Post, 32-year-old Jesse L. Matthew was charged with abduction, sexual penetration, and attempted capital murder for the incident, which involved a 26-year-old woman from Fairfax, Va.

As the Post reports, the woman was grabbed from behind while she walked home one night in September 2005. She was then taken to a secluded area and assaulted before the assailant fled: 

The 26-year-old aggressively fought the man, apparently for her life, but he overcame her and sexually assaulted her before he was startled by a passerby and fled, said police and authorities familiar with the investigation.

Matthew was arrested in Gilchrist, Texas nearly two weeks after the 18-year-old Graham's Sep. 13 disappearance. The Post adds that Matthew, who has been tied to several similar cases in the area, is being held in Charlottesville, Va. on intent to defile and abduction charges in connection with Graham, as well other charges.

[via Washington Post]

Latest in Pop Culture