Fairmount Heights Cop Faces Prison Time For Having Sex With Woman He Arrested: Prosecutor

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — A former Fairmount Heights police officer has been sentenced for having sex with a 19-year-old woman who was in his custody, Prince George's County prosecutors said.

On Sept. 6, 2019, while on duty, Martique Vanderpool, 33, had taken a woman into custody during a traffic stop. He and another officer took the woman to the Fairmount Heights police station, where Vanderpool had sex with her, a news release from the state's attorney said.

Vanderpool has been sentenced to the maximum penalty of three years in prison, with credit for time served.

“Initially, Mr. Vanderpool was also charged with first- and second-degree rape. Unfortunately, the jury did not agree with all of the charges and we respect their decision. However, our job is to hold offenders accountable, regardless of their profession, to the best of our ability and to seek justice on behalf of our victims. And that is what we did in this case,” said State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy in a statement.

A Prince George's County jury on Wednesday acquitted Vanderpool of second-degree rape in the case.

Vanderpool and the other officer pulled the victim over in the Landover area shortly before midnight in 2019. They reportedly told the woman they were going to impound her car after she said she didn't have her license. When Vanderpool saw condoms in the armrest of the victim's vehicle, he asked her if she was a prostitute and suggested they could "work something out," FOX DC reported, citing court documents.

Vanderpool allegedly asked the woman, "So what are we going to do about this?" He then told her they could have sex, or she could go to jail, FOX reported.

“I am very proud of this brave victim for coming forward and having the courage to share her truth," Braveboy said. "I hope that this young victim can move forward in her healing process. My office will remain supportive with any resources or services as needed.”