Virginia Man Carl Rice Jr. Charged in Decades-Old Montgomery County Sexual Assaults

Montgomery County cold case detectives announced that they have charged Carl Rice Jr., of Mitchells, Virginia, in connection with two sexual assaults that occurred in the late 1980s and 1990. Detectives say forensic work produced a CODIS DNA match that led investigators to Rice, and officials are urging anyone who may have been victimized to come forward.

An arrest warrant was issued on December 9, 2025, charging Carl Rice Jr., of Mitchells, VA, with two counts of first‑degree rape and kidnapping, two counts of first‑degree sex offense, three counts of first‑degree assault and two counts of second‑degree assault, Montgomery County police said in a Feb. 9 press release (Release ID 26-055). In February 2025, detectives received a CODIS DNA match connected to evidence recovered from the June 24, 1988 assault, which investigators say identified Rice as the suspect.

The two alleged attacks are tied to specific locations and dates. On June 24, 1988, a female victim leaving the Friendship Heights Metro station was approached by an unknown Black male who forcibly pulled her across the street and then sexually assaulted her. On Sept. 19, 1990, a female victim met a man who gave the name “Kevin”; he offered her a ride, the victim became uncomfortable and tried to get out of the car, and the suspect restrained her and drove to an area in Bethesda where he sexually assaulted her. The police incident narratives and the CODIS link are the core developments that revived these cold files.

Montgomery County investigators worked with the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police Department Cold Case Sex Assault Unit because both crimes occurred near the District of Columbia border. Montgomery County police say Rice is currently serving a prison sentence in Virginia and that he has been arrested previously in separate jurisdictions on charges related to rape and sexual assault.

Authorities are explicit about outreach: “Based on information gathered and the circumstances of these cases, detectives believe there may be additional victims who have not yet come forward.” Anyone with information or who believes they may have been victimized by Carl Rice Jr. is urged to contact the Montgomery County Department of Police Major Crimes Division at 240‑773‑5070 or Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll‑free at 1‑866‑411‑TIPS (8477). The Montgomery County press release lists S.D. Goff as the media contact for follow-up.

News coverage of the case varies on one procedural point. Some outlets reported that Rice has been arrested in connection with the charges, while the Montgomery County press release states that an arrest warrant was issued on Dec. 9, 2025, and that Rice is serving time in Virginia. That distinction will affect whether Montgomery County must seek transfer or extradition to obtain custody for prosecution.

For the local true crime community and anyone following cold-case work, this is a reminder of how DNA backlogs and database matches can reopen decades-old files. The immediate practical step is clear: if you have information related to the June 24, 1988 or Sept. 19, 1990 incidents, contact the Montgomery County Major Crimes Division or Crime Solvers. Prosecutors and detectives will next address custody and court filings as they pursue charges under the counts listed by police.