Ex-teacher failed to register as sex offender
A former District teacher pleaded guilty Friday to failing to register as a sex offender, the first defendant to be indicted and convicted in D.C. under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. Anthony Ross, 42, a former coach and teacher at H.D. Woodson High School, was convicted in 1999 of sexual abuse for having sex with a 15-year-old District student.
Prosecutors said Ross used a bogus date of birth and false Social Security number to avoid detection. U.S. Marshalls had been searching for him since 2006. Ross was arrested in Ohio in 2010, just days before he was to be married.
The act requires anyone convicted of sex crimes to report to law enforcement agencies where they live, work or attend school.
Two charged with Craigslist robberies
Fairfax County police are investigating a string of armed robberies in which “sellers” advertise iPhones for sale on Craigslist, only to meet up with customers and rob them at gunpoint. Police charged Deshawn Derr, 25, of Alexandria, Va., and David Ramsey, 39, with robbery after a victim remembered the license plate of his assailant’s getaway car. Police believe more Craigslist thieves may be out there and advise online customers to always meet up with sellers in daytime and to take a friend along. – Emily Babay and Scott McCabe
Tipster helps police find would-be rapist
Montgomery County Police have taken Robert Cruz Gonzalez, 19, into custody for attempted rape and sexual assault. With help from an anonymous tipster and DNA evidence, police identified Gonzalez as the man who accosted a female from behind and attempted to rape her in October of last year. The victim fought off her attacker, and he fled on foot. The attack took place in Aspen Hill at around 11 p.m. The tipster is now eligible for a cash reward and should contact Crime Solvers of Montgomery County to receive it.
– Emily Babay, Scott McCabe and Liz Essley
