Virginia serial rapist sentenced to life

Nathan Antonio Washington a serial rapist who preyed on Virginia women for as long as 10 years, was sentenced to four life terms plus 20 years Tuesday.

Before the judge imposed sentence, Washington stood in court and said that he took responsibility for his actions. He also apologized to his victims, his family and to the Charlottesville community, and asked for divine forgiveness.

"I didn’t mean for these things to happen they way they did," Washington said, his voice breaking.

"I had no self-control. I always thought I was good, until I was tempted."

In many cases, Washington broke into the victims' homes and attacked them, and it is believed he stalked his victims before the burglaries.

According to the Charlotteville Commonwealth’s Attorney Dave Chapman, some victims have recovered amazingly well, others are stil struggling.

In court, Chapman read from a statement one victim provided in which she explained that, nearly nine years after she was raped, she still battles daily bouts of fear and anxiety.
“I never sleep in the dark, never go outside alone,” the victim wrote.

She also addressed Washington directly: “I feel like I see you all over.”

Washington pleaded guilty to four attacks in Charlottesville and one in Albemarle County. A sixth attack in Albemarle will not be pursued.

Authorities in Waynesboro are waiting on lab results before deciding whether to prosecute a 1997 rape that has also been attributed to the serial rapist, a prosecutor there said Monday.
Before he was sentenced, Washington also asked for divine forgiveness and asked God to bless his victims and family.

The sentences were part of a plea deal which requires him to give information on other rapes he may have committed, while prosecutors promise not to bring any more charges.

Crimestoppers gave a $60,000 reward to the person whose tip lead to his arrest and conviction. This tipster is though to be a victim who was raped back in 2004 who provided a license plate number which led to Washington.

Investigators then took a covert sample of his DNA that matched DNA left behind by the serial rapist.