News Releases

North Bethesda Man Arrested - Charged With Multiple Sex Offenses

For Immediate Release: Friday, April 12, 2019

Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Special Victims Investigations Division have charged Austin Blaine Vann, age 29, of the 11500 block of Old Georgetown Road in North Bethesda with multiple sex offenses stemming from incidents that occurred in January 2019 and October 2017.

In July of 2017, the unnamed victim met Vann at a party.  She had placed some items in Vann's vehicle but failed to retrieve them.  The victim contacted Vann to retrieve the items.  In October 2017, Vann met the victim at her residence but did not bring the belongings.  Vann stated that the victim needed to accompany him to his apartment in the area of the 11500 block of Old Georgetown Road to get the items.  The victim walked to the door of the apartment, but waited while Vann entered the apartment to get the items.  Vann then pulled her into the apartment and assaulted the victim and attempted to rape her.  The apartment was vacated and empty.  Vann left the area after the crime and was arrested in California on March 1, 2018, and extradited back to Maryland.

Vann was charged with Attempted 1st Degree Rape, Attempted 2nd Degree Rape, 1st Degree Assault, 2nd Degree Assault, and a 4th Degree Sex Offense.  Vann was subsequently released on bond.

On January 8, 2019, a second victim met "Austin" at a local restaurant in North Bethesda.  The victim had met "Austin" via social media and had been communicating with him via text messages.  While drinking at the bar with "Austin", she left her drink unattended several times while visiting the restroom.  The victim then found herself in a bathroom in an apartment building with Vann engaging in sexual intercourse without her consent.  The victim had no recollection of leaving the bar and was not sure where she was located.  The victim was found in the area of the 11500 block of Old Georgetown Road.  Investigators were able to determine that "Austin" was Austin Blaine Vann.  Vann was out on bond and awaiting trial when the incident occurred in January 2019.

Vann was arrested on March 25, 2019, and charged with 2nd Degree Rape.  Vann is currently committed at the Montgomery County Detention Center awaiting trial.

Investigators are concerned there may be additional victims related to encounters with Austin Blaine Vann due to his use of social media platforms to engage victims.  Anyone with information is asked to contact the Special Victims Investigations Division at 240-773-5400.

###

CTJ

# # #

Release ID: 19-135
Media Contact: mcpnews 
Categories: sexual-offense, uncategorized