ROCKVILLE, MD – A federal agent is facing serious allegations that have left the community in shock. Eduardo Valdivia, an FBI agent, remains behind bars after being denied bail in a case involving accusations of sexual assault against two women. The charges stem from incidents that reportedly took place in a Gaithersburg hotel and a tattoo studio, both linked to Valdivia.
Montgomery County police have accused Valdivia of luring women to his tattoo parlor under the guise of signing modeling contracts, which he allegedly used to blackmail them. The 43-year-old agent, who previously faced and was acquitted of attempted murder charges after a Metro train shooting, is now embroiled in a different kind of legal battle.
During a court hearing, Valdivia appeared through a video link from jail, where the judge deemed him a potential threat to the community and a flight risk. The court documents allege that Valdivia used aliases and concealed his law enforcement background while interacting with the women. The judge highlighted the use of modeling contracts as a tool of coercion, suggesting they played a significant role in the alleged assaults.
State’s Attorney John McCarthy emphasized that coercion doesn’t always involve physical weapons. He pointed out that psychological manipulation, such as the use of these contracts, can be equally powerful in victimizing individuals.
Valdivia’s defense attorney, Robert Bonsib, argued that the sexual encounters were consensual, citing emails as evidence. He insisted that the women were not held against their will and had the freedom to leave at any time. The defense plans to present their case to a jury, confident that the evidence will support Valdivia’s innocence.
The Montgomery County Police Department held a news conference, urging potential additional victims to come forward. Their appeal seems to have been successful, as a third potential victim has reportedly contacted authorities.
The case took another twist when it was revealed that Valdivia returned to the tattoo studio after learning of the arrest warrant against him. Surveillance footage allegedly shows him leaving with a box, and subsequent searches revealed that the studio’s cameras were missing their memory cards.
As the investigation continues, the community watches closely, awaiting further developments in a case that has already raised numerous questions about trust and accountability.