HERNDON, Va. — A man is facing charges after he reportedly raped a woman along the W&OD Trail in Herndon, Va. Monday night. Now, police are searching for more possible victims.
According to Herndon Police, 31-year-old Denis Humberto Navarette Romero was arrested and charged with abduction with intent to defile and rape. He reportedly did not know the woman he is accused of raping before the assault.
Herndon Police Chief Maggie DeBoard said this is the first case of "stranger rape" she has seen in the more than 12 years she has worked in the department.
Investigators said the victim was walking along the W&OD after leaving a downtown Herndon business when Navarette Romero grabbed her, forced her to the ground and raped her. The victim was able to fight Navarette Romero off of her and run away to get help from a passerby between Ferndale Avenue and Grace Street.
Navarette Romero was found by police minutes after a passerby called 911. He was arrested in the 700 block of Station Street while holding property police said belonged to the victim.
On Tuesday, police said Navarette Romero is an undocumented immigrant from Honduras. Investigators claim there may be more victims as Navarette Romero has a history of sexual assault and exposures in the region, including a previous incident in Herndon in 2022.
"What is disturbing is the number of times this individual has been arrested and released," said Chief DeBoard during a press conference Tuesday afternoon. "He has continued to re-offend and his behavior has escalated to a rape in a very public area."
On Oct. 19, he was sentenced to 50 days in jail after pleading guilty to indecent exposure on the trail. He was only required to serve half of the sentence and was released just days before the attack on the W&OD Trail.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Herndon Police Department.
DeBoard said additional uniformed police officers will be patrolling the public trail in the days and weeks ahead to alleviate any fears.
