Man accused of groping juvenile male on Metro train: police

Rajkumar Chandrakant Patel

A Maryland man is facing child sex abuse charges after police say he reportedly groped a juvenile male on a Yellow Line Metro train Wednesday. 

Metro Transit Police say Rajkumar Chandrakant Patel, 55, of Laurel, Md., was stopped shortly before 6 p.m. after the juvenile victim reported that he sat next to him while aboard a train traveling between the Pentagon and L'Enfant Plaza stations, and then groped him.

The train was in D.C. during the time of the reported offense, according to police. 

When the train arrived at L'Enfant Plaza, police say the victim got off the train and reported the incident to MTPD officers who were on the platform. 

Police say officers boarded the train with the victim who positively identified Patel as the suspect. 

He was arrested and charged with second-degree child sexual abuse. 

Patel made is first court appearance on Thursday afternoon. Police say an initial status hearing is scheduled for November 6.