FCC Assistant Division Chief Jeffrey Gary, a Georgetown-educated lawyer, is in custody after allegedly targeting and attempting to abduct two women and a child near Metro stations in a single night, using the same federal transit card that ultimately led to his capture.
Key Takeaways
- Jeffrey Gary, 35, assistant division chief at the FCC, faces charges of assault, sexual battery, and attempted abduction following two separate incidents at Virginia Metro stations on the same night.
- A mother and her 4-year-old daughter were attacked at Potomac Yard station, while an hour later, another woman was assaulted near Braddock Road station.
- Police traced Gary through his FCC-registered Metro card; surveillance footage confirmed his presence at both crime scenes.
- The FCC has initiated termination proceedings against Gary, who had no prior criminal record despite holding a sensitive government position.
- Both victims managed to escape their attacker, with the child victim attempting to defend her mother by pouring juice on the assailant.
Federal Employee Targets Women at Metro Stations
Alexandria City Police arrested Jeffrey Gary, a 35-year-old FCC assistant division chief, for attempting to abduct two women near Metro stations in Northern Virginia. The attacks occurred within an hour of each other on a Friday night, sending shockwaves through the community. Gary, a Georgetown University law graduate with no prior criminal record, now faces multiple serious charges including assault and battery, sexual battery, and attempted abduction as authorities investigate whether there may be additional victims.
Alexandria Police Chief Tarrick McGuire described the disturbing pattern of Gary’s alleged behavior, stating, “That Metro system kinda curves around and continues to go, and I really believe based on the facts and the information we have, that he was targeting females while riding the Metro.” Investigators believe Gary was systematically searching for victims while using public transportation, raising serious questions about security on the Metro system and the vetting processes for federal employees with access to sensitive information.
Mother and Child Targeted in First Attack
The first attack occurred at 8:45 p.m. at the Potomac Yard station, where Gary allegedly targeted a 30-year-old woman who was with her 4-year-old daughter. In a display of remarkable bravery, the young child attempted to protect her mother by pouring her juice box on the attacker. The suspect only fled when another adult approached the scene. This horrifying incident highlights the vulnerability of women and children using public transportation and raises serious concerns about Metro security protocols.
“People are just going around trying to take people. That’s crazy,” Said Mikaela Roper, of Alexandria. “There’s nobody here to help us.”
Just an hour later, Gary allegedly struck again near the Braddock Road station, following another woman in her 30s before attacking her. Police Chief McGuire described the second assault in chilling detail: “The suspect grabbed her, placed his hand over her mouth and attempted to restrict her movement, wrestling her down to the ground.” Despite the violence of the attack, the second victim also managed to escape and immediately reported the incident to authorities.
Federal Transit Card Leads to Arrest
In a twist of irony, the very Metro card Gary used to travel between attack locations ultimately led to his identification and arrest. Police traced the card to the Federal Communications Commission address where Gary worked as an assistant division chief. Surveillance footage and the registered card provided conclusive evidence of his presence at both crime scenes. Gary frequently used the Yellow Line from his apartment near the Huntington Metro station, establishing a pattern of movement that helped investigators build their case.
“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.”
The FCC wasted no time distancing itself from Gary. A commission spokesperson stated that following “this disturbing incident we took immediate action against this employee. His employment with the agency will be terminated.” Gary is currently being held without bond pending a preliminary hearing scheduled for July. While the swift response from the FCC is appropriate, this incident raises troubling questions about how someone with violent tendencies could secure and maintain a high-level government position.
Metro Safety Concerns Intensify
This case has intensified existing concerns about safety on the Metro system. Despite Metro’s claims of increased police presence, commuters report feeling unsafe and seeing little evidence of enhanced security. Alexandria resident Mikaela Roper voiced the frustration many feel: “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.” The disconnect between Metro’s security promises and riders’ experiences points to a systemic failure to protect taxpaying citizens.
The Alexandria Police Department, in collaboration with the Metro Transit Police Department, is investigating whether Gary may have attacked other victims who haven’t yet come forward. Public safety cameras played a crucial role in quickly identifying the suspect, demonstrating the value of surveillance infrastructure in securing public spaces. Authorities urge anyone with information about Gary or similar incidents to contact them immediately, as the pattern of predatory behavior suggests there could be additional victims.
