Report: Jesse Matthew Investigated for Sex Assault in 2003 at Another University

Jesse Leroy ”LJ” Matthew, Jr., the suspect in the disappearance of UVA sophomore Hannah Graham, was investigated in 2003 for a sex assault at Christopher Newport University, according to a report Wednesday night by NBC-29 in Charlottesville.

Matthew, 32, was charged last week with abduction with intent to defile in the case.

This week, Virginia State Police are investigating forensic links to other crimes. ““Last week, the arrest of Jesse L. Matthew Jr., 32, of Charlottesville, Va., provided a significant break in this case with a new forensic link for state police investigators to pursue,” state police said in a news release.

Here is a timeline beginning in 2002, ending with Saturday, Sept. 13, when Graham, a 2013 West Potomac grad, went missing. She was last seen with Matthew in downtown Charlottesville.

2002: Matthew was investigated for an alleged sex assault at Liberty University in Lynchburg; the victim decided not to go through with charges, according to several news reports. Matthew was a student there from 2000 to 2002, according to ABC News.

2003: Christopher Newport University Police confirm to NBC-29 that Jesse Matthew was investigated for a sex assault in 2003. The alleged assault took place Sept. 7, 2003 on campus, the news station reported.

Sept. 24, 2005: Fairfax City abduction and sexual assault: Virginia State Police say that they are investigating forensics that they say link Matthew to case.

2007-2010: ABC News reported that Matthew had a taxi permit from 2007 through 2010 in Charlottesville, according to Pam Goheen with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.

Oct. 17, 2009: Virginia State Police say that forensics link Matthew to the case of Morgan Harrington, 20, a Virginia Tech student from Roanoke who went missing in Charlottesville after attending a concert. Her remains were found months later on rural farmland.

Sept. 13, 2014: Matthew was the last person seen with Graham, 18, in downtown Charlottesville.

A bond review set for Thursday for Matthew was canceled when his attorney said he will not ask for his client to be released on bond, reports WTVR. Matthew is due in court for a preliminary hearing on the abduction charge in the Graham case Dec. 4.

PHOTO: Jesse Matthew mug shot 2014