ALEXANDRIA, Va. - Omar T. Butler, 30, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty today to charges relating to a 28 mile car chase in June 2015, in which he reached speeds of 180 mph on roads in Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Maryland.
Butler pleaded guilty without a written plea agreement or agreed statement of facts. The government’s fact proffer noted that at approximately 12:35 a.m. on June 10, 2015, Butler led U.S. Park Police officers on a 28-mile pursuit during which Butler nearly hit and killed two officers. U.S. Park Police had attempted to stop his vehicle for speeding on the George Washington Memorial Parkway in the area of Spout Run, however, Butler ignored the emergency lights and sirens and fled through Virginia, D.C., and Maryland, reaching a top speed of approximately 180 mph with several dozen federal and state law enforcement officers in pursuit. Butler was ultimately arrested at a gas station in Bryans Road, Maryland, after pulling over to refuel his vehicle.
Butler was indicted by a federal grand jury on Aug. 6, 2015. He faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison when sentenced on Jan. 22, 2016. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; and Robert D. MacLean, Chief of the U.S. Park Police, made the announcement after the plea was accepted by U.S. District Judge Liam O’Grady. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Belsan and Assistant United States Attorney Gene Rossi are prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:15-cr-229.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
