Police: Va. man sexually assaulted interviewee who responded to Craigslist ad

WASHINGTON — Fairfax County police arrested a man they say sexually assaulted a woman who thought she was meeting him for a job interview in Reston, Virginia, last month.

Police are searching for additional people who may have been sexually assaulted by Imtiaz Rauf. (Courtesy Fairfax County Police Department)

Police say on Sept. 12, 44-year-old Imtiaz Rauf, of Gainesville, sexually assaulted a woman who responded to his Craigslist ad for an administrative assistant. Police say Rauf assaulted her when they met for the interview at an office building located at 12005 Sunrise Valley Dr. in Reston.

Following an investigation, police arrested Rauf Wednesday and charged him with sexual battery. Rauf is being held without bond at the Adult Detention Center.

Rauf, a registered sex offender, placed “a number of” ads on Craigslist and detectives are looking into the possibility that there are other victims who haven’t come forward, said Officer Reem Awad with the Fairfax County Police Department. Rauf may have shared the same office building as an interview location in other ads, Awad added.

Police are investigating at least two other reports of sexual assault by Rauf, Awad said. No charges have been filed in those cases yet, but additional charges may be filed against Rauf in the future.

Anyone with information in this case or any other incidents can contact police at 703-246-7800, or submit a tip anonymously through Crime Solvers by visiting Fairfax County police’s website, or text-a-tip by texting “TIP187” plus your message to CRIMES (274637).

Sarah Beth Hensley

Sarah Beth Hensley is the Digital News Director at WTOP. She has worked several different roles since she began with WTOP in 2013 and has contributed to award-winning stories and coverage on the website.

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