FCC official Jeffrey Gary has been arrested after targeting multiple women for abduction near Metro stations, with his 4-year-old victim’s daughter heroically trying to fight him off with her juice box.
Key Takeaways
- Jeffrey Gary, 35, an assistant division chief at the FCC with a Georgetown law degree, has been charged with attempted abduction, assault and battery, and sexual battery after allegedly attacking two women near Metro stations in Alexandria, Virginia.
- The attacks occurred within an hour of each other on a Friday night, with Gary allegedly targeting a mother with her 4-year-old child at Potomac Yard station and later assaulting another woman near Braddock Road station.
- Police tracked Gary through his FCC-registered Metro card, revealing he likely targeted females while riding the Metro’s Yellow Line from his apartment near Huntington station.
- The FCC has taken immediate action to terminate Gary’s employment, and he is currently being held without bond with a preliminary hearing scheduled for July.
- Law enforcement officials are investigating the possibility of additional victims and urge anyone with information to come forward.
Government Official’s Shocking Metro Station Attacks
Alexandria City Police have arrested Jeffrey Gary, a 35-year-old assistant division chief at the Federal Communications Commission, following two attempted abductions near Metro stations in Northern Virginia. The Georgetown Law graduate with no prior criminal history now faces multiple serious charges including assault and battery, sexual battery, and attempted abduction. The attacks occurred in rapid succession on a Friday night, creating alarm among local commuters and raising serious questions about public safety and the vetting of government employees. Gary’s position at a federal agency has added another troubling dimension to these violent incidents that targeted vulnerable women.
“We want to be very clear: It is our goal to protect every citizen of our community,” Said APD Chief Tarrick McGuire. “But when there is the victimization of some of our most vulnerable — women, children and our elderly — that has a different psychological impact on public safety.”
Child Attempts Heroic Defense During First Attack
The first incident occurred at approximately 8:45 p.m. at the Potomac Yard Metro station, where Gary allegedly targeted a 30-year-old woman and her 4-year-old child. According to police reports, Gary approached the woman and forcefully pushed her against a glass wall. In a remarkable display of courage, the woman’s young daughter attempted to intervene by pouring her juice box on the attacker. The assailant fled only when another adult approached the scene. This attack demonstrated not only the predatory nature of the suspect but also highlighted the vulnerability of Metro passengers, especially those traveling with children.
“That Metro system kinda curves around and continues to go, and I really believe based off the facts and the information we have, that he was targeting females while riding the Metro,”
Second Victim Fought Off More Violent Attack
Approximately one hour after the first incident, Gary allegedly committed a second, more violent attack near the Braddock Road Metro station. Video surveillance captured the suspect following another woman in her 30s before launching a physical assault. “The suspect grabbed her, placed his hand over her mouth and attempted to restrict her movement, wrestling her down to the ground,” said Police Chief Tarrick McGuire. Despite the forceful nature of the attack, the woman successfully fought off her assailant and escaped to report the incident. Both victims provided consistent descriptions of the attacker, leading investigators to quickly connect the two cases.
Metro Card Leads to Swift Arrest of Federal Employee
In a significant investigative breakthrough, authorities traced a Metro card to Gary, which was registered to the Federal Communications Commission address. This crucial piece of evidence, combined with public safety camera footage and collaboration with the Metro Transit Police Department, facilitated the suspect’s quick identification and arrest. Gary regularly used the Yellow Line from his apartment near the Huntington Metro station, suggesting a pattern of calculated predatory behavior using public transportation. The FCC has responded to the arrest with immediate action to terminate Gary’s employment, stating they took prompt measures following “this disturbing incident.”
“People are just going around trying to take people. That’s crazy,” Said Mikaela Roper, of Alexandria. “There’s nobody here to help us.”
Safety Concerns Heightened Among Metro Commuters
The incidents have intensified concerns about safety on public transportation, with many Metro users expressing anxiety about the visibility and effectiveness of security measures. “There’s signs all over the place that say they are having increased Metro police, but I haven’t seen any increased Metro police, so I don’t know about that,” noted Alexandria resident Mikaela Roper. The lack of visible security personnel has created a sense of vulnerability among commuters, particularly women who may now feel targeted. Alexandria Police are investigating the possibility of additional victims and have urged anyone with information to contact authorities immediately.
