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Rapist aftermath: Tipster rewarded and lawsuit dismissed

by Lisa Provence 5:35 pm February 27th

One day after serial rapist Nathan Antonio Washington was sentenced to four life terms plus 20 years, Crimestoppers announced payment of a $60,000 reward to the tipster who “provided the single largest break in the case,” says attorney Fred Payne (pictured here), who announced the reward yesterday, February 27.

Crimestoppers’ policy is not to identify people who provide tips, so Payne would not confirm that the tipster is one of Washington’s victims, a woman who was raped August 18, 2004, in her Webland Drive residence and who later provided police with a license plate number that led to Washington.

In court on December 10, the prosecution described how the woman, who works at UVA Aquatics and Fitness Center, saw a man in the parking lot who reminded her of the man who had fondled her at work November 12, 2002�€“ one day after a brutal rape in the Willoughby subdivision. The woman got the license number of the vehicle�€“ a Mitsubishi Galant that was registered to Washington’s wife.

“This tip was the real turning point in the case,” says Payne. Washington, a father of four, had no history of arrest and had not fallen under police scrutiny until the tip. The reward is the largest in Crimestoppers’ history, Payne adds.

Albemarle Sheriff Chip Harding, formerly a captain with the Charlottesville Police Department until winning the sheriff’s spot in November, had been looking for the serial rapist since 1999. “I’m glad he was identified and arrested before I left the police department,” he says.

Harding recalls bringing in an FBI investigator to help with the years-long search who said local police had gone beyond the ordinary in their effort to find the rapist. The G-man told him that in most such cases, a little luck is involved. “This tipster brought us that,” says Harding. “It [Washington's arrest] was a direct result of this tip from this individual.”

On the same day, Charlottesville announced that a civil lawsuit against the city, Police Chief Tim Longo, and Officer James Mooney was dismissed in federal court February 20. The suit was filed by Larry Monroe, who claimed that his constitutional rights were violated when Mooney asked him for a buccal swab to match Monroe’s DNA against the serial rapist’s. By 2004, police had swabbed over 500 black males until community outrage over the practice and accusations of racial profiling caused officials to halt the practice.

Monroe will appeal two of his claims to appellate court, says his attorney, Debbie Wyatt. “And ultimately, we do note, they got the serial rapist the old-fashioned way,” she says.

Sick Of The LAPD Wannabes February 28th, 2008 | 10:24 am

quote: “Albemarle Sheriff Chip Harding… â€œI’m glad he was identified and arrested before I left the police department,â€ he says.

What does Harding leaving the police department have to do with anything? I wouldn’t be proud of the fact it took 10 plus years to crack this case. And only then because of a civilian providing the magical tip that cracked the case for them!
sick of fascist wannabes February 28th, 2008 | 7:35 pm

How was it not a civil rights violation to coerce DNA from so many men based solely on their race? The Charlottesville Police get away with too much.
common sense February 28th, 2008 | 8:34 pm

I suppose that if the rapist had been described as a one armed man and there were 500 in c-ville it woulld have been a “civil rights” violation to ask them to help society by excluding themselves from further scrutiny.
…and it was not solely on RACE it was on sex, age and size. I don’t think they were profiling old black men at the nursing home.

Don’t blame police because the rapist was black.
sick of fascist wannabes February 28th, 2008 | 8:57 pm

Yes indeed it would. People with disabilities are a protected class too. But you probably didn’t know that. I blame the police for acting in a racist manner, if it were a white male suspect there is no way this would have been done.
Sick Of The Local Rambos February 28th, 2008 | 9:20 pm

I agree with Common Sense. Don’t blame the police because the rapist was black. Blame the police because they could never develop a suspect for over 10+ years. And only then because one of the victims cracked the case for them.
sheep dog March 1st, 2008 | 4:14 pm

Well let’s see, you want the guy busted right away, but you don’t want the cops to do anything, talk to anybody, or ask for DNA samples. Notice I said ASK. If you ask someone for something and they don’t say no, it’s not unfair, profiling, or anything else you want to call it. If the police are asking you something you can say no. If they tell you, do it, and if they told you wrong you can deal with it later. This was an exceptionaly tough case. How do you catch a guy that is off the radar? Most cases are solved with the help of victims and witnesses. Why would this case be different?
sick of fascist wannabes March 1st, 2008 | 4:27 pm

Who said they don’t want the cops to do anything? Not me. Yes, most cases are solved with the help of victims and witnesses as this one was, so the whole DNA profiling was not only an exercise in intimidation but a waste of time and money. People don’t feel they can say no to cops in general. Cops don’t like people who say no to them. It’s not like your neighbor asking you to do something, it’s a person in uniform with a gun with the power to arrest you.

Apparently this guy wasn’t off the radar, he was working and living in plain sight and a victim spotted him, maybe more looking and less DNA profiling by the police would have worked faster and better.
Sick Of The LAPD Wannabes March 1st, 2008 | 6:33 pm

Sheep Dog, let’s discuss future events, if you dare participate in this. In this year’s freakshow, a/k/a the local 2008 Police Awards banquet, how many cops do you predict will be handed awards and commendations of any type in reference to finally “solving” the serial rapist case? And I use the word “solving” while laughing out loud as I type this response. How many cops do you think really deserve an award or commendation for taking 10 years to once again make our streets safe from a serial rapist that STALKED our local women for years? Do you agree or disagree that the actions of this serial rapist brought a whole new meaning to the word STALKING in ur community! Will the awards or commendations mention the fact it took them over 10 years to solve the serial rapist case while the women in our community continued to get viciously beaten and raped by the suspect? 35 years from now when the granchildren are reading or looking at these awards and commendations, are they going to understand what a joke the awards and commendations really are? Did you agree with or disapprove of 200 innocent black men having to give DNA samples to prove their innocence in a city located in the State of Virginia, in the United States of America Exactly when did innocent people proving their innocence take a lawful priority over your duty of developing a suspect and finding the evidence to prove their guilt? And finally, do you feel you might be one of the cops who receive a commendation or award in this serial rapist case at the local Police Awards banquet? If so, have you already picked out a special place on the wall to hang it?
sheep dog March 1st, 2008 | 7:29 pm

I will assure you I won’t be receiving an award. My you are angry, and well connected. I do not disagree with asking any male that fits the discription for a DNA sample. They can say no, I don’t care who is asking. It’s your right to say no and if someone doesn’t exercise their rights it doesn’t mean the cops were wrong for asking. Should someone be out of the blue on the street be asked for DNA…..not my style, but if being investigated for another crime…hell yes ask them. Most cases ARE solved by evidence provided by victims and witnesses and if it’s not available Cops do what they legally can to locate evidence. That might be collecting DNA samples. Although the final, best evidence came from a victim should the hard work of a detective go unreconized. Who do think connects the dots and investigate 100s of tips and leads. Why would anyone read about this in 35 years. You have a real problem with blowing things out of proportion.
Lux et Veritas March 1st, 2008 | 10:06 pm

To LAPD wannabe:

You are the only person I have heard address the Annual Police Awards Banquet as a “freak show”. Therefore it cannot be referred to as a.k.a. Where did you get your degree? I am sure out of a Cracker Jack box.
You seem to be well connected as Sheep Dog has pointed out. Your angry demeanor and put downs toward the police department indicate you are definately in need of some serious psycho therapy.
Instead of directing your anger at the police, why don’t you try to do something productive for society. Do you volunteer at the SHE House? How about SARA? If you are so concerned about, “our local women”, why don’t you do something about it.
Maybe you could wear a uniform, get out there and see exactly how, “easy”, it would be to catch a serial rapist. I doubt you would even be able to catch a 12 year stealing a loli pop from a local convenience store.
Good Luck!
Sick Of The LAPD Wannabes March 1st, 2008 | 10:16 pm

You don’t pay attention real well, do you? Or is it a reading comprehension problem? I asked when the grandhcildren are looking at the awards and commendations in 35 years…. if these grandchildren (of the recipients of the awards and commendations) would realize what a joke they really are. If I wasn’t specific enough by not saying “recipient” above I apologize. I figured you could follow along and keep up.
I’m not angry. I’m simply playing the devil’s advocate. A person having to provide DNA evidence to prove one’s innocence goes against everything our Constitution stands for, whether the DNA sample is given voluntarily or involuntarily. You are a defender of the Constitution in “serving and protecting” the public in your official capactiy, aren’t you? It seems like Chief Longo should have known and believed in this. Being close to the description of a suspect does not mean anybody should be asked to give up their 4th Amendment rights under any circumstances, voluntarily or involuntarily. Warrants to search for DNA evidence, and I quote the 4th, “shall issue upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.” This of course is preceded by, “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated…” The key words here are “secure in their persons”. Do you think you have arrived at probable cause simply because 10,000 black males in Charlottesville and Albemarle County match the descritors of the serail rapist suspect? I say 10,000 because the DNA collection program would probably have continued until 10,000 samples had been gathered had the public not finally raised hell and put an end to it real quick. What if one of these innocent black males had voluntarily given DNA and the state crime lab claimed it matched? As as I am sure you are aware of, there’s been a lot of sloppy and inaccurate DNA testing nationwide lately. Personally I think the DNA testing that set murderers and rapists free lately should be rechecked again.
sheep dog March 1st, 2008 | 10:30 pm

Once again, listen close. Having to give is not the same as giving voluntarily. HAVING implies it is required. If you give it Voluntarily it’s not a violation of rights. Apparently someone else agrees since the lawsuit was dismissed. But, I’m sure you know more than a federal judge too. Anybody can be asked anything and they can say yes or no, that’s why it’s called asking. You don’t need probable cause to ask someone a question.
Sick Of The LAPD Wannabes March 1st, 2008 | 10:49 pm

Lux et Veritas, you and the majority of the population will never understand until you, a member of your family, or a close personal friend has every right they possess stampled upon by the few loose cannons and rambo rookies that are allowed to keep roaming the streets with a badge and gun. I’m well connected? OK. So you would believe me when I say the local police departments still have a lot of work to do in cleaning up their own shoppes.

Give me your honest opinion about this true story. A young lady is stopped and arrested for DUI early one evening after an impromptu celebration. OK, no problem, she was indeed DUI. While questioning her the cops discover she and her husband, a prominent citizen, had been at the same party after work. But the husband and wife had arrived at the impromptu celebration and traveled home in separate cars. So the cops discuss this revelation and come up with the bright idea of calling the husband to pick up the wife from the cop shoppe. They call the husband and tell him to come on in, that the wife is going to be charged, processed and released into his custody (which is not the usual way DUI arrests play out by the way, the magistrate decides if the lady is going to jail or not). At the same time they know the route he is going to be traveling to get to the cop shoppe. As you know there’s thresholds where everybody’s BAC is either going up or down. They set up cars to catch him enroute. He’s then arrested and charged with DUI as well. While traveling home the first time his BAC might not have been high enough for a DUI charge. But having getting called back out onto the public roadways by the cops, perhaps his BAC was now high enough. Is this conspiracy considered entrapement since the cops discussed it and set up the elaborate plan with the sole intent being that of arresting the husband? At the same time these cops were conspiring against prominent citizens, the serial rapist was probably out stalking his next victim undetected.
Sick Of The LAPD Wannabes March 1st, 2008 | 11:03 pm

sheep dog, you’re not listening to me. I said….

“A person having to provide DNA evidence to prove one’s innocence goes against everything our Constitution stands for, whether the DNA sample is given voluntarily or involuntarily.”

A person shouldn’t be asked to give up their 4th Amendment rights. Many people are scared to death when being confronted by the cops to begin with, and they are not sure if they can refuse or not. Especially black males living in America. You know damn well many people out here don’t know their rights as well as you and I might.

You also do not seem to know why the lawsuit was dismissed. It may never amount to anything since Debbie Wyatt has retired now, but it’s not over yet. I hope she gets bored and comes back out to play in some cases around here! I would trust my life in her hands!

And you didn’t respond to my best question. What if one of the inoocent people who submitted to DNA testing was erroneously identified as the real suspect?
Lux et Veritas March 2nd, 2008 | 12:07 am

Upon reading your detailed account of the prominent citizen and his wife…He was dumb enough to get behind the wheel after DRINKING! One drink, two drinks, dont drive!
It’s not entrapment…the cops asked if he could come get his wife, the idiot got behind the wheel and did it. Why didn’t he call a sober friend? relative?
I have had negative interactions with police, but the majority of my interactions have been positive. I am in full support of our local agencies. There are thorns in EVERY work place. You even admitted yourself in the first paragraph of your comment that there are a FEW loose cannons and rambo rookies.
Overall I appreciate what the local agencies offer. Imagine living somewhere larger or better yet in Richmond where there are places that the police will not even enter. They often request to have the person calling come to meet them because of all the violence and the potential to be shot at.
How about being put on hold after dialing 911?
Will you answer my questions in reference to giving or doing something productive for our society…SHE house? SARA?
Sick Of The LAPD Wannabes March 2nd, 2008 | 10:31 am

Lux et Veritas, that’s all I have ever said. A few corrupt lying loose cannons. And then of course you have the cops, command and chiefs who know them and do nothing about them, so they are no better.

Just because I say “crooked corrupt lying cops” does not mean ALL COPS. I repeat, just because I say “crooked corrupt lying cops” does not mean ALL COPS.

As far as the DUI arrests, no problem. The same thing could eventually happen to any couple in this area. It might be personal friends of yours next. And then I think you will take a very different view about the husband being coerced to pull out on the public roadways.

As far as volunteering to help make our community a safer place. I have. I did. I do.
sheep dog March 2nd, 2008 | 6:34 pm

What do mean you just said a few lying loose cannons? You said 70,000 cops are being arrest every seven years. Plus you just wrote, as far as the DUI arrest, no problem. Then three sentences later you say he was coerced. Your all over the map.
Sick Of The Local Rambos March 2nd, 2008 | 7:01 pm

70,000 cops being arrested every seven years is 10,000 per year. To me, 10,000 a year out of 700,000 is a “few.” It’s 1.42% a year. 1.42% a year is a “few”, right? If Charlottesville and Albemarle has 200 sworn cops, 1.42% is 1.4 lying corrupt cops. To get the .4 of a cop we will have to slice and dice the second cop or round it off to the second cop. You’re telling me you have trouble believing there’s 2 corrupt crooked lying cops in Charlottesville and Albemarle every year? You know better. And you’re debating a point you can never win. Have 1.4 cops been tossed off the forces around here each year for the last seven years? You damn skippy they have!

The man was indeed and intentionally coerced to get back out on the public highways so the cops could take a shot at arresting him too. It was not 1/16th of an inch short of conspiracy or coersion. No problem, he fell for their tricks. And he was convicted, unless he won on his appeal. I haven’t heard the outcome of the appeal.
Sick Of The Local Rambos March 2nd, 2008 | 7:36 pm

Sheep dog, check this link out! It’s hilarious! Be sure not to miss the image of police posing as KKK members halfway down the image section.

http://www.badcopnews.com/2008/03/02/hoboken-new-jersey-swat-team-members-claim-lt-angelo-andriani-forced-them-to-go-to-hooters-and-hang-out-with-waitresses/
sheep dog March 2nd, 2008 | 8:11 pm

you’ve gone on and on about all the corrupt in all of your writng no matter what the numbers are. This the first time you have said a few. Don’t forget when you said all the ones that weren’t caught. Sweating because lightbulb figured you out?
Sick Of The Local Rambos March 2nd, 2008 | 8:35 pm

True. It is like shoplifing in my opinion. For every one that is caught, 99 go undetected.
Sick Of The Local Rambos March 3rd, 2008 | 2:28 pm

Damn, speaking of serial rapists, check this out:

——————————–

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (AP) â€” A police sergeant accused of raping four women since 2002 was charged in a grand jury indictment unsealed Thursday with 35 counts, including multiple attacks on three of the victims.

Sgt. Jeff Pelo, 41, had already pleaded not guilty to sexually assaulting the four women. His attorney, Steve Skelton, said he would also plead not guilty to the additional charges in the indictment.

Skelton has called the prosecution’s case flimsy. Pelo, jailed on more than $2 million bond, is scheduled to be arraigned Friday.

Pelo was first arrested in June and charged with attempting to break into a woman’s home in the middle of the night. At the time, he was wearing a black T-shirt and shorts and told an officer he was out looking for a home for his mother-in-law, officials said.

Police have said they found a mask, pry bar and other items in Pelo’s home that appeared to have been used in at least one of the assaults. Prosecutors said three of the accusers identified him from photo lineups and two identified him by voice.

The charges against him include home invasion and aggravated unlawful restraint involving two of the women. The charges allege he was armed with a gun or knife in those attacks. He faces intimidation charges in one attack because he allegedly threatened to harm the woman’s family if she contacted police.

Pelo, a 17-year veteran, is on paid administrative leave and still collecting his $81,000 annual salary. City officials say they opted to continue paying Pelo to spare the alleged victims from testifying in a disciplinary hearing as well as criminal proceedings.