WASHINGTON — The Prince George’s County police officer charged with raping a woman after a Maryland traffic stop made his first court appearance Wednesday afternoon.
Prosecutors and defense lawyers in District Court agreed Officer 1st Class Ryan Macklin, 29, would remain in custody until a bond hearing Oct. 26.
“He’s entered a plea of not guilty and we’re in discussions with the state about next steps,” defense attorney Mark Schamel told reporters after the hearing. “We believe he should be released on some conditions while the case is further investigated by both the prosecution and defense.”
Macklin was on duty, in uniform and a marked cruiser when he allegedly pulled over a woman, around 1 a.m. Thursday, on University Boulevard in Langley Park.
Charging documents released Tuesday say as Macklin conducted the traffic stop of the woman, he “attempted to touch her breast,” then “ordered her to drive behind a nearby store.”
While behind the store, Macklin allegedly grabbed her and forced her to perform a sex act, “then said he wanted to have sex with her.”
Soon, a person the woman had called previously, arrived at the scene.
“The Defendant returned to his marked Prince George’s County cruiser and left the scene,” according to the document, signed by Prince George’s County Sgt. David Chandler.
Witness interviews and video evidence supported the victim’s story, according to the charging document.
On Monday night, Prince George’s County police released a short surveillance video, purporting to show Macklin’s cruiser turning on his emergency lights to conduct the traffic stop.
Macklin, a six-year veteran of the force, is charged with first- and second-degree rape, perverted practice, second-degree assault and fourth-degree sexual contact.
In the Monday news conference announcing the arrest, Police Chief Hank Stawinski said investigators believe there may be more victims.
