Group of armed men in Charles County abduct teen, sexually assault her, officials say

A 16-year-old girl was abducted by a group of men armed with guns and sexually assaulted in Charles County, according to authorities.

The Charles County Sheriff's Office said the teenage victim from California was visiting family in Waldorf when the incident happened on Melrose Court at about 1 a.m. on Feb. 17.

Investigators said the teen was walking down the street and using her phone when she noticed a dark-colored vehicle, possibly a Jeep, pass by her several times.

The vehicle stopped and a man got out and began to talk to her, according to officials. Another man got out of the vehicle and the two suspects grabbed the teen and forced her into the vehicle, authorities stated.

There were two other men in the vehicle, according to police.

Detectives said the suspects, who were armed with guns, then sexually assaulted the victim. The suspects pushed the teen out of the vehicle at about 3 a.m. and fled the scene, according to officials.

The victim began walking toward a convenience store to seek help. Several people stopped to offer her help along the way but she initially declined in part due to a language barrier and her hesitancy to get into another car, according to officials.

The sheriff's office said an elderly man convinced the teen to allow him to give her a ride back to where she was staying. The victim later went to the hospital where she was treated.

The suspect vehicle was described as a newer model vehicle, possibly a black four-door Jeep Cherokee with dark tinted windows. It had an American flag sticker on the lower passenger side front windshield and dark colored leather interior, according to police.

Detectives said the first suspect was described as a black man, possibly in his 20s, with a mustache and goatee. Authorities said the first suspect had a large tattoo of an angel on the left side of his neck, a tattoo with writing across his lower stomach and was wearing a blue skull cap with stripes, a large North Face brand jacket, a True Religion shirt, black jeans with white stitching, blue Nike shoes and a small gold chain on his neck with a circular piece of gold with diamonds on it. Officials said the first suspect also had an electronic monitoring device on his ankle.

Authorities said the second suspect was described as a black man, possibly in his 20s, with shoulder-length dreadlocks worn in a ponytail. Officials said the second suspect was clean shaven and was last seen wearing a black and white shirt with a picture of a male on the front wearing a gold chain holding the chain up from the neck with both hands. The sheriff's office said he was also wearing black pants, black Jordan Retro 2s, a black North Face brand jacket and a gray belt.

Officials said the third suspect was described as a black man, possibly in his 20s, with a teardrop tattoo below his left eye. Authorities said the third suspect had a heavy/large build with a thin mustache, green eyes and short black hair. Detectives said his right eyebrow had a vertical scar which was missing hair from the area. He was last seen wearing a black-hooded sweatshirt with the hood up, a black shirt, a black North Face brand jacket, khaki pants, a gray belt and black shoes.

The fourth suspect was described by investigators as a black man, possibly in his 20s, with a tattoo on the back of his right arm which had a picture with some writing. Officials said the fourth suspect had very short hair and was wearing a black shirt, possibly a True Religion shirt, a black North Face brand jacket, running-style pants and Jordan shoes that were black, gray, blue and red.

Anyone with information that could aid detectives in their investigation was urged to call Det. K. Gross at (301) 609-6436 or email grossk@ccso.us.

Tipsters wishing to remain anonymous can contact Charles County Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-8477. Crime Solvers is offering a cash reward for information leading to arrests in the case.