Maryland Man Guilty of Robbery, Abduction; Arlington Jury Recommends 95 Years

Storme Gary Swann, 51, formerly of La Plata, Md., was found guilty this week in Arlington County Circuit Court of two counts of robbery, two counts of abduction and one count of statutory burglary.

A jury found Swann guilty Thursday following a three-day trial and recommended a 95-year sentence, according to an Arlington County Police Department news release.

On Aug. 14, 2010, Swann forced his way into a hotel room and assaulted, detained and bound two female tourists — a 73-year-old woman and her 51-year-old daughter, both visiting from Canada, the release states. The hotel was in the 2400 block of South Glebe Road.

Swann robbed them of cash, jewelry and electronics and sexually assaulted one of them, the release states.

Swann's criminal history includes past convictions for armed robbery, first-degree sexual assault, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony and kidnapping, according to the Arlington County Police Department.

Final sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 8, 2013, before Judge Louise DiMatteo. The court may impose up to the recommended sentence, but cannot increase it.

“Due to the exceptional work of Sergeant (Donald) Fortunato and other members of the Arlington County Police Department, a dangerous criminal was apprehended,” Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Jay E. Burkholder said in a statement.

“The victims showed great courage in confronting their attacker. On behalf of Commonwealth’s Attorney Theophani K. Stamos and Police Chief M. Douglas Scott, I am grateful that these brave women were willing to return to our community and relive a terrifying experience in order to prevent Swann from victimizing anyone else. In its verdict and sentence, the jury made clear that violent crime will not be tolerated in Arlington County.”