FBI agent acquitted in 2020 train shooting arrested in Maryland for alleged sexual assault against 2 women
An FBI agent who was previously acquitted of attempted murder for shooting a man on a train nearly four years ago has now been arrested in Maryland on charges related to allegations of sexual assault against two women.
Special Agent Eduardo Valdivia, 40, was taken into custody by the Montgomery County Department of Police, with the Special Victims Investigations Division urging any additional victims to come forward. A news conference is scheduled for Tuesday to encourage other potential victims to step forward, according to a statement released by the police department.
The FBI has suspended Valdivia pending the outcome of the investigation by the Montgomery County police. In a statement, an FBI spokesperson emphasized the seriousness with which the agency takes allegations of criminal misconduct but refrained from further comment due to the ongoing nature of the investigation.
Valdivia had previously faced charges of attempted second-degree murder and other offenses in connection with a 2020 off-duty shooting on a Metro Red Line train near Bethesda, Maryland. However, he was acquitted of all charges by a jury two years later.
In the previous incident, Valdivia allegedly shot a man who had approached him asking for money after a verbal altercation. Despite repeated warnings to back up, Valdivia fired the shot from a short distance, causing severe injuries that required extensive surgery for the victim.
Following his indictment in 2021, Valdivia turned himself in but was found not guilty in December of the same year. Now, he is facing new felony and misdemeanor charges, including two counts of second-degree rape, stemming from incidents in May and September of this year.
Attorney Robert Bonsib, who previously represented Valdivia in the shooting case, confirmed the arrest on sexual assault charges. He emphasized the need to withhold judgment until all evidence is presented in court.
Valdivia is currently in custody following his initial court appearance and is set to appear for a bond hearing on Tuesday. He joined the FBI in 2011 and was later promoted to supervisory special agent at the FBI headquarters in 2019. Despite the legal proceedings, Valdivia had continued working at the FBI following his acquittal.
The Montgomery County police are urging any additional victims to come forward, and a news conference is planned to provide further information on the case. The investigation is ongoing, and more details are expected to emerge as the legal process unfolds.
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