Metro Transit Police announce seven arrests for indecent exposure or misdemeanor sexual abuse

IMPORTANT: All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Arrest information is not an indication of guilt nor evidence that a crime has been committed.

Metro Transit Police have arrested seven men this month on charges of indecent exposure or misdemeanor sexual abuse on the transit system. The arrests are the result of victims--all adult females--coming forward and reporting the incidents to Transit Police.

MTPD detectives used a combination of digital surveillance footage via the Security Operations Control Center, as well as other investigative techniques, to positively identify the suspects and advance prosecutions. Several victims used the Metro Transit Police "text tips" system to make their report. Metro riders can have a text conversation with a Transit Police dispatcher anytime, day or night, by sending the message to "MyMTPD" (696873).

MTPD also offers victims of harassment or sexual offenses to report information through an online portal at wmata.com/harassment. Reports via the online system are reviewed and routed within minutes.

"This kind of conduct is abhorrent and has no place on Metro," said Metro Transit Police Chief Ron Pavlik. "Our warning to those who would engage in this conduct is clear: If you're on Metro, you're on camera. We will investigate, we will identify you, and we will arrest you."

Last year, serious (Part I) crime on Metro plunged to its lowest level in more than a decade. So far in 2018, crime is down an additional 18 percent compared to those lows. 

Through yesterday, there have been 63 reported cases of indecent exposure on the Metrorail system, down 10 percent compared to the same time last year.

Transit Police detectives believe there may be other victims in several of these cases. Anyone who has information that may be helpful for police can contact the MTPD Criminal Investigations Division at (301) 955-5000 or send a text message to "MyMTPD" (696873).

		Anthony West, 36, of Washington DC Arrested 8/1/18 at Fort Totten Metro Station for misdemeanor sexual abuse aboard a Red Line shuttle bus.
		Christopher Tyson, 26, of Hyattsville, MD Arrested 8/9/18 in the 3900 block of Georgia Ave NW for an indecent exposure offense that occurred aboard a 70 Metrobus.
		Donnell Boggon, 34, of District Heights, MD Arrested 8/1/18 outside Greenbelt Metro Station for an indecent exposure offense in the bus bay.
		Duane Funderburk, 43, of Washington DC Arrested 8/17/18 in the 4500 block of East Capitol Street for an indecent exposure offense that occurred aboard a U5 Metrobus.
		Hollyman McQueen, 54, of Washington, DC Arrested 8/17/18 on a warrant in reference to an indecent exposure incident that occurred 5/16/18 at Capitol South Metro Station.
		Laphonso Davis, 31, no fixed address Arrested 8/23/18 in the 3000 block of Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE for an indecent exposure offense that occurred aboard a Blue Line train at Potomac Avenue the previous day.
		Mallory Brown, 37, of Washington DC Arrested 8/14/18 at L'Enfant Plaza Metro Station for an indecent exposure offense that occurred a short time earlier at the U Street Metro Station.

Also today, MTPD asked for the public's assistance for information on three open indecent exposure cases. Police are seeking information on the whereabouts of John T. Steele, 22, of Washington, DC. Steele is wanted on an open warrant for second degree assault and indecent exposure related to an August 4, 2018, offense at the Southern Avenue Metrorail Station. Additionally, MTPD is seeking the public's assistance in identifying two males who are considered persons of interest in unrelated incidents - one on the Red Line on July 6 and one on the Orange Line on August 20.

IMPORTANT: All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Arrest information is not an indication of guilt nor evidence that a crime has been committed.