Arrest Made in Knifepoint Sexual Assault on Metro Train

SILVER SPRING, MD — A man accused of sexually assaulting a woman on a Metro train is being held without bond, authorities say.

The attack happened April 12 on a Red Line train.

John Prentice Hicks, 39, of Northeast DC, was arrested Friday and charged with attempted first-degree rape, first-degree sexual offense and second-degree assault.

A warrant was issued for Hicks’ arrest after he used his SmarTrip card to leave the Glenmont Metro Station in Silver Spring after the alleged assault, WUSA reports.

The victim and Hicks were alone in the train car about 10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 12, when he reportedly asked the woman if she had a boyfriend. Police say Hicks then showed a knife, dragged the woman to the back of the train car and raped her, WJLA reports.

Hicks forced the woman to perform oral sex as the train moved through the Forest Glen and Wheaton stations, prosecutors said.

Metro Transit Police arrested Hicks after the victim identified him from surveillance video.

Prosecutors say that Hicks has three previous sexual offense convictions, including two against minors.

»Photo of suspect John Hicks, courtesy of Metro Transit Police