Police Charge Jesse Matthew with 'Abduction, Attempt to Defile' in Hannah Graham Case

Charlottesville Police have now charged Jesse Matthew, previously considered a “person of interest” in the disappearance of UVA sophomore Hannah Graham, with Abduction with Intent to Defile. They have issued a new wanted poster with the new charges.

Matthew worked at the hospital at UVA, transporting patients. He was previously a cab driver. Matthew is thought to be driving a 1997 light blue Nissan Sentra, plate number VAC-4575. Police say he could be in Virginia, DC, Maryland, Pennsylvania or New York. He is 32 years old, 6’2” tall, 270 pounds.

Police Tuesday night did not give any details as to why they are now charging Matthew. Police say they are waiting for lab results after searching Matthew’s car and apartment on Friday; police searched his apartment again on Monday and left with several bags. Charlottesville Police Chief Tim Longo said that police “need to be sensitive about what we share before going to trial.”

Graham, 18, who is a 2013 graduate of West Potomac High School in Fairfax County, south of Old Town Alexandria, went missing in the early hours of Saturday, Sept. 13 from downtown Charlottesville. Hundreds of volunteers, the police, FBI, and other officials are searching for her and investigating the disappearance.

Longo announced the new charges Tuesday night at a press conference and said he hopes Matthew turns himself and cooperates with authorities. Matthew, 32, was charged with Reckless Driving after leaving the Charlottesville police station Saturday. He came in with family asking for a lawyer but left about an hour later without talking to police about Graham.

Matthew was reportedly the last person seen with the college student, at a bar in Charlottesville Saturday, Sept. 13.

Also read:

• Police Issue Wanted Poster for ‘Person of Interest’ in Missing College Student Case
• Missing College Student’s Parents: ‘This Is Every Parent’s Worst Nightmare’
• Charlottesville Police Reveal Name of ‘Person of Interest’ to Media in Hannah Graham Case, No Charges Filed
• Police: Missing College Student Hannah Graham Left Bar with ‘Person of Interest’
• Police Execute Search Warrants in Connection with Missing UVA Student Hannah Graham
• UVA Holds ‘Bring Hannah Back’ Candlelight Vigil
• Charlottesville Police Offer Description of ‘Person of Interest’ in College Student Disappearance
• Security Video Shows Missing UVA College Student Hannah Graham
• New Videos Provide Clues to College Student’s Disappearance
• Family of Missing College Student, Hannah Graham, Issues Statement
• Missing College Student’s Last Text: ‘I’m Lost, Come Find Me’
• Police: West Potomac High School Grad Reported Missing at UVA

PHOTO of Jesse Matthew courtesy of Charlottesville Police