Melesse Semegne / Photo from Montgomery County police
Police arrested Melesse Semegne, 58, of Silver Spring for rape and believe there may be additional victims. Semegne is charged with second-degree rape, attempted second-degree rape, two counts of second-degree assault, and fourth-degree sex offense.
On Wednesday, May 6 at about 8:12 p.m., officers responded to a residence in Silver Spring after a woman reported that she had been sexually assaulted the previous day, according to Montgomery County police.
The victim told officers that she had gone to the Fenote Training Academy at 8115 Fenton Street, where she had enrolled in a course. According to the victim, when she arrived, the suspect, Semegne, was the only person inside the business, and he sexually assaulted her. The victim left the location and called the police.
On Thursday, May 14, Special Victims Investigations Division (SVID) detectives executed a search warrant at the Fenton Street address, where items of evidentiary value were recovered. Semegne turned himself in on Sunday, June 14, and is currently being held without bond at the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit.
SVID detectives believe there may be additional victims and are asking anyone who may have had contact with Semegne to call SVID at 240-773-5400.
Anyone with information about Semegne who wishes to remain anonymous may contact Crime Solvers of Montgomery County at 1-866-411-8477 or submit a tip through the Crime Solvers website.
