Convicted Burglar Sentenced to 40 Years in Prison for Invading Two Homes, Sexually Assaulting Women Who Had Been Sleeping
Defendant Was Linked to the Crimes by DNA Evidence

WASHINGTON—George Clowers, 27, of no fixed address, was sentenced today to 40 years in prison for breaking into two homes in Northwest Washington and sexually assaulting women who had been sleeping inside, announced U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr., James W. McJunkin, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, and Cathy L. Lanier, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

Clowers pled guilty in June 2011 in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia to two counts of first-degree sexual abuse. The Honorable William M. Jackson sentenced him today, ordering that the 40-year prison term run consecutively to another five-year sentence that Clowers already is serving in another case. Clowers also is required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.

According to the government’s evidence, which was presented at the plea hearing, the first of the crimes took place about 4:30 a.m. on July 24, 2007 inside a residence in the 900 block of P Street NW. Clowers broke into the home while the female resident was sleeping. He ate some of her food and drank some of her beer. Then he went into her bedroom and spit beer in the victim’s face to incapacitate her. He threatened to kill her and he physically and sexually assaulted her. She was ultimately able to escape and notified a security guard at a nearby store.

The second attack took place about 3:30 a.m. on April 6, 2009. This time, Clowers broke into a home in the 1500 block of Marion Street NW. Once again, he went into the bedroom of a female resident. He blinded her with a flashlight and threatened her. He sexually assaulted her and stole numerous items from her, including a cellphone. After he left, she notified the police.

In another case, Clowers pled guilty in 2009 to a charge of first-degree burglary stemming from a third home invasion. That crime took place on April 21, 2009, in the 1500 block of 8th Street NW. Clowers has been serving a five-year prison term for that offense.

Following his arrest in the April 21, 2009 matter, Clowers was linked by DNA to the 2007 attack on P Street NW. Additionally, he was linked by DNA and cell phone records to the 2009 crime on Marion Street NW. All three of the targeted residences were within a quarter-mile of one another and within a mile of the place where Clowers had been residing.

“This case demonstrates the power of DNA,” said U.S. Attorney Machen. “Through forensic science we were able to identify and prosecute this dangerous offender who broke into the homes of sleeping women and sexually assaulted them in their bedrooms. We will continue to use every new technology at our disposal to protect women and children from serial sex offenders.”

In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Machen, Assistant Director McJunkin and Chief Lanier praised the entire team that worked on the investigations, including the FBI/MPD Violent Crimes Task Force. They also commended the lead Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives—Sexual Assault Unit Detectives Ingrid Harkins, Yvette Maupin, and Wandella Fields, and former Detective Wallace Carmichael—who worked on the cases. They cited the thorough work of the many mobile crime officers who worked on the cases, including Ralph Nitz, Dawn Leary, Leother Strong, Stanley Rembish, Julius Smith, Sgt. D.J. Hayes, James Holder, John Holder, and J.P. Gregory. They also praised the efforts of Deputy Marshal Martin Flynn, of the U.S. Marshals Service, as well as MPD patrol officers Monica Agusti, Matthew Romeo, Dia Hymes, Ryan Kolb, Adam Johnston, and Anton Patterson, of the Third District.

U.S. Attorney Machen, Assistant Director McJunkin and Chief Lanier also commended the efforts of the special agents from the FBI’s Washington Field Office, who provided assistance to the identification and apprehension of the defendant and performed post-arrest investigatory work. They acknowledged the work of those who handled the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including intelligence specialist Lawrence Grasso, who assisted with virtually all aspects of the investigation. In addition, they recognized the help Victim Witness Advocate Melissa Milam gave to the victims. They also thanked paralegal Joyce Arthur and Legal Assistant Ashley Patterson. Finally, they recognized Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sharon Marcus-Kurn and Michelle Zamarin, who investigated the cases, and Sharon Marcus-Kurn, who is prosecuting the case.