Ricky McNeil, a 51-year-old resident of Washington, D.C., received a 35-year prison sentence for an attempted robbery in July 2023 that escalated into kidnapping and sexual assault. U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr. and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department announced the sentencing.
A Superior Court jury convicted McNeil on December 11, 2024, of several charges including kidnapping while armed, first-degree sexual abuse with aggravated circumstances, robbery, assault with a dangerous weapon (knife), possession of a prohibited weapon (knife), and assault with significant bodily injury. In addition to his prison term, Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe imposed five years of supervised release and mandated McNeil's lifelong registration as a sex offender after his release.
The government presented evidence that on July 26, 2023, McNeil approached the victim on Benning Rd., NE and requested a cigarette. When she declined but offered to buy one from the store later, he snatched her purse and fled towards his apartment. As she tried to retrieve her belongings, McNeil dragged her inside his apartment where he physically assaulted her before forcing her into another room at knifepoint.
McNeil threatened violence if she did not comply with his demands for oral sex. After biting him during the forced act, he retaliated by striking her in the mouth. Seizing an opportunity when McNeil was distracted by a phone call, the victim escaped through a second-story window and sought help at a nearby McDonald’s where she called 911.
Authorities recovered evidence from McNeil's apartment linking him to the crime scene following their investigation. Arrested in Tampa, Florida in October 2023 under warrant conditions and extradited back to D.C., McNeil has remained detained without bond since then.
U.S. Attorney Martin and Chief Smith expressed gratitude towards law enforcement personnel involved in investigating this case alongside staff members from both departments who played roles throughout its prosecution stages including Maria Sanchez-Garcia as well as Assistant U.S Attorneys Molly K Smith along with former Assistant Peter V Taylor from Sex Offense Domestic Violence Section.