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Kokouvi Apetoh, 45, of Silver Spring, was sentenced to 26 years and 231 days in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of second-degree assault and admitting to violating his probation in a previous metrobus groping case, according to Montgomery County prosecutors.
Authorities say Apetoh, a registered sex offender, was a repeat predator who systematically targeted unsuspecting women on their daily commutes.
His latest case involved two separate attacks on the same woman aboard a metrobus in early 2023.
On Jan. 7, 2023, Apetoh sat behind a stranger on a Rockville bus and reached between the seats to grope her before fleeing the scene, officials said.
Weeks later, on March 22, he targeted the same woman again—this time, she was ready.
When Apetoh groped her a second time, she turned around, snapped a photo, and gave it to police. That image led to his arrest after an investigation by Rockville City Police and Metro Transit Police.
Prosecutors say Apetoh had already been convicted in four previous sexual assault cases on public transit in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties, as well as Washington, DC.
Judge Bibi Berry sentenced him to the maximum 10 years on each count of second-degree assault, to be served consecutively, along with an additional six and a half years for violating his probation.
Officials said the sentencing marks the "end of the road" for Apetoh, ensuring he can no longer victimize women on public transit.
"This defendant is a serial sexual offender who systematically targeted innocent women commuting to and from work," Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy said in a statement.
"We are committed to protecting women in our community and making sure that those who take public transportation can do so safely.
"We applaud Judge Berry for recognizing the significance of the defendant’s abhorrent conduct and issuing the maximum penalty."
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