District Man Sentenced to 18-Year Prison Term
In Two Armed Sexual Attacks Against Women
- Defendant Targeted Women Working as Prostitutes -

     WASHINGTON - Waverly Lee Tuppince, Jr., 27, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 18 years in prison on charges stemming from armed attacks against two women who were working as prostitutes, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. announced.

     Tuppince pled guilty in October 2011 to two counts of attempted sexual abuse while armed. He was sentenced by the Honorable Thomas J. Motley in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. In sentencing Tuppince, Judge Motley expressed great concern over the defendant’s repeated criminal conduct, and admonished him for “preying on society.” Explaining his sentence, the maximum provided under the voluntary sentencing guidelines, Judge Motley indicated that he could not ignore the seriousness of Tuppince’s conduct.

     At the plea hearing in October 2011, Tuppince admitted that on July 15, 2011, in Northwest Washington, he allowed a woman to get into his car near 11th and L Streets NW. The woman, who was engaged in soliciting prostitution, believed that Tuppince was a potential customer. When she asked him for money, Tuppince pulled out a knife and threatened to kill her if she did not do as he instructed. He then forced the woman to perform oral sex upon him.

     Tuppince further admitted that on August 26, 2011, in the area of 13th and K Streets NW, a second woman, also engaged in soliciting prostitution, got into his car believing he was a potential customer. This time, Tuppince produced a handgun and held it to the victim’s head, forcing her to perform oral sex upon him.

     In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Machen commended the work of Metropolitan Police Department Detectives Ingrid Harkins, Lenard Jenkins, and Alexander MacBean. He also recognized the dedicated work of U.S. Attorney’s Office Paralegal Lamine Hendrix, and Legal Assistant Etta Ford. Lastly, he commended Assistant U.S. Attorney Heide L. Herrmann, who investigated and prosecuted the cases.

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