A Honduran man, in the U.S. illegally, is facing serious charges for allegedly raping a woman on a popular hiking trail near Washington, DC—just days after being released from jail for another sex-related offense. This marks the first reported stranger rape in Herndon, Virginia, in over a decade, according to local police.
Police Chief Maggie DeBoard, who’s been in charge for over 12 years, said this kind of attack is unprecedented in her tenure. “This is the only case like this we’ve seen in my time here,” she shared during a press conference.
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin didn’t hold back in criticizing local authorities for letting the accused, 31-year-old Denis Humberto Navarette Romero, walk free instead of being handed over to immigration officials for deportation. Youngkin called the situation “heartbreaking” for the victim and accused Fairfax County officials of putting residents in danger by prioritizing politics over public safety. “Virginia is not a sanctuary state,” he emphasized.
Romero was arrested on Monday night, accused of attacking a woman on the Washington and Old Dominion Trail, about 25 miles from the capital. Police say he grabbed the victim, forced her to the ground, and raped her before being arrested just minutes later, thanks to a bystander who called for help.
What makes this case even more shocking is Romero’s history. Despite a lengthy criminal record, including several sexual offenses, he was released from jail just four days earlier. He’d been serving time for indecent exposure but was let out early for “good behavior” after completing half of his 50-day sentence.
Chief DeBoard didn’t hide her frustration. “This guy has been arrested multiple times, released, and has continued to reoffend,” she said, pointing out how his behavior has escalated over the years.
Romero’s record dates back to 2018, when police say he fondled a 14-year-old. Investigators later discovered he’d also exposed himself to two other minors, but their families didn’t want to pursue charges. Over the years, his crimes have included assaulting a police officer and harassing women in public.
One of his recent victims, Jennifer Pugh, came forward to share her experience. She said Romero exposed himself to her last month while she was walking her dog. “He was trying to grab my dog and come after me,” she told a local news outlet. “He didn’t care about the cameras or anything.”
Romero is now being held at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center while awaiting a preliminary hearing. However, his multiple arrests over the years reveal gaps in the system. Inconsistent spellings of his name in police records made it hard for authorities to fully track his criminal history. Despite notifying immigration officials each time he was arrested, Fairfax County says ICE never sent a detainer or warrant.
The case has sparked outrage and concern in the Herndon community. Chief DeBoard admitted it’s hard to reassure residents when cases like this happen. “I tell people they’re safe here, and I believe they are, but when something like this happens, it’s clear the system isn’t working the way it should.”
Governor Youngkin expressed hope for change, saying such policies will likely shift under different leadership. “When President Trump takes office, this kind of political posturing will stop, and local authorities will cooperate with ICE to protect communities,” he said.
For now, the community is left grappling with fear and frustration, hoping this tragic incident prompts real change in how such cases are handled.
