3rd Victim Accuses D.C. Police Officer of Sexual Abuse

NBC Washington
March 19, 2015

http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/3rd-Person-Accuses-DC-Police-Officer-of-Sexual-Abuse-296890701.html

[with video]

A Washington, D.C., police officer charged with sexual assaulting two teen girls, one of them at police headquarters and the other at his church, now faces accusations from a third victim, prosecutors said Thursday.

Officer Darrell Best, 45, of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, was in court Thursday for a preliminary hearing when prosecutors revealed that a third victim had come forward and more victims are expected.

Best is facing multiple charges in connection with the sexual assault of a 17-year-old girl at police headquarters and a 16-year-old girl at the church where he serves as pastor.

No charges have been filed in connection with the third alleged victim.

During Thursday's hearing, prosecutors also revealed that Best sexually harassed a female cadet he supervised in 2007. He was demoted from sergeant to police officer for an incident of sexual misconduct while on duty in 2008, prosecutors added.

Best waived his right to a preliminary hearing, acknowledging that the prosecution has enough probable cause to go to trial. He also asked to be released, but was denied.

A 16-year-old girl told police Saturday Best sexually abused her three times at the church beginning in December. He was off-duty during the incidents, police said. According to charging documents, Best was in uniform on one occasion when he raped the girl inside the church.

The second victim, who is now 18 but was 17 at the time of the alleged incident, says she was sexually assaulted in Best's office on the fifth floor of police headquarters after he took her out to dinner Dec. 3, according to charging documents. He was wearing his badge and gun at the time.

When investigators took her to headquarters to identify the location, they initially took her to another office on another floor and she was able to tell them that wasn't where it happened. When they took her to Best's office, she cried as she entered and said that's where the assault took place, according to charging documents.

Police said they have video of Best and the victim at headquarters together. They also have access key records placing Best there.

Both girls said they pleaded with Best to stop.

Best’s attorney did not dispute any of the evidence the prosecution laid out while in court, News4's Mark Segraves reported.

Best's police authority was revoked and his gun taken when the 16-year-old came forward Saturday.

His next court date will be April 29.