by Devin Cornelius ’12

On September 26, 15-year-old Alvick Omenga was charged as an adult for one count of first degree rape and one count of attempted robbery.  Although Omenga attended Sherwood last year, he enrolled again this year as a freshman but was not an active student. In October, Omenga was indicted by a Montgomery County grand jury for his crimes.

The arrest was made after over a month of police searching for the suspect who assaulted and raped a 22-year-old woman on Wagonwheel Ct. around 1 a.m. on August 5. Omenga allegedly snuck up on the victim as she was getting out of her car, grabbed her around the neck and led her to a nearby park where the rape ensued. An acquaintance of Omenga, who allegedly was asked to participate in the rape, tipped off police. After an investigation and DNA testing, Omenga was formally charged and is now being held on a $5 million bond. 

Assistant State’s Attorney Peter Feeney detailed that Omenga had run away from home in May and was arrested for robbery and armed robbery just days after the rape. During the preliminary hearing, the teen had no attorney or family members present and remained silent.  In the apology letter Omenga wrote to the victim, he claimed that rape was never his intent; merely to rob her. Omenga is currently being held at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility and faces a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted.