Police say a series of tips led to an arrest in a sexual assault reported in the Bailey's Crossroads area of Fairfax County earlier this year.
Sloan Wilson Rappoport, 44, of Arlington, was arrested Tuesday and posted a $20,000 bond Wednesday. He's facing charges of abduction by force/intimidation, sexual battery and obscene display.
The victim, a 28-year-old woman, was shopping at the Ross in the 5800 block of Crossroads Center Way around 6 p.m. Jan. 31 when Rappoport approached her, according to police. The victim told police he was very friendly and spoke to her in Spanish.
As she was leaving, police say the suspect pulled up in a silver Mercedes Benz and asked her to get in. Once she was inside the car, he locked the doors, drove to a nearby location and sexually assaulted her, authorities said.
The woman was able to escape the vehicle, authorities said.
Rappoport is an attorney for Downey McGrath Group, a well-known lobbying group, and has worked on Capitol Hill. He met with detectives in Fairfax Tuesday night and was arrested. He bonded out Wednesday and will appear in court in June.
“We were shocked to learn of the arrest and immediately relieved Sloan of his duties. We consider these charges a very serious matter and stand ready to cooperate with authorities if necessary,” DMG Chairman Tom Downey told News4.
Local
Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia local news, events and information
The incident was one of two sexual assaults reported in the Bailey's Crossroads area this year -- and they occurred within days of each other.
Just two days before the incident at Ross, a woman was walking in front of the Bob's Furniture Store on her way to a bus stop in the 5800 block of Leesburg Pike around 6:30 a.m. when she heard footsteps behind her. Police said she was grabbed and assaulted, but was able to flee.
Police do not believe Rappoport is connected to this attack. Investigators are still seeking tips in the Jan. 29 case.
Anyone with information is asked to call Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131 or contact Crime Solvers by phone at 1-866-411-8477.
