FBI Special Agent Charged with Sexual Assault of Two Women, Police Say
GAITHERSBURG, MD – Eduardo Valdivia, a special agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, was arrested Monday in Montgomery County, Maryland, on charges of sexually assaulting two women, according to police and court records. Valdivia, 40, faces felony and misdemeanor charges, including two counts of second-degree rape, for alleged offenses that took place in May and September 2024.
Valdivia has been suspended from the FBI pending the outcome of the investigation. An FBI spokesperson confirmed the bureau is cooperating with local authorities and emphasized the agency’s commitment to addressing misconduct among its ranks.
“The FBI takes allegations of criminal violations and misconduct very seriously,” the spokesperson said. “Because this is an ongoing investigation, the FBI cannot comment further.”
History of High-Profile Legal Cases
This is not Valdivia’s first encounter with the legal system. In 2022, he was acquitted of attempted second-degree murder and related charges stemming from an off-duty shooting aboard a Metro train near Washington, D.C., in December 2020. During that incident, Valdivia claimed self-defense, stating that he shot an unarmed man who had verbally confronted him and allegedly advanced toward him.
The shooting, which occurred on a train approaching the Medical Center station in Bethesda, left the victim with severe injuries, including the removal of part of his spleen, colon, and pancreas. A Maryland jury found Valdivia not guilty after his defense argued he acted to prevent a potential physical altercation that could have endangered his life.
Following his acquittal, Valdivia resumed his work with the FBI and was stationed as a supervisory special agent at the agency’s headquarters.
New Allegations and Ongoing Investigation
The recent charges against Valdivia mark a serious turn in his legal troubles. Police have not released details about the alleged assaults but confirmed they occurred earlier this year. Detectives believe there may be additional victims and have announced a news conference to encourage others to come forward.
Defense attorney Robert Bonsib, who previously represented Valdivia in the Metro train case, confirmed his client’s arrest and urged caution in drawing conclusions before the evidence is fully examined.
“We don’t accept at first blush any of the allegations until all of the evidence is in,” Bonsib said.
Valdivia appeared in court on Monday, where he was ordered to remain in custody. A bond hearing is sched00uled for Tuesday.
Community and Legal Implications
The charges have drawn attention to the oversight and accountability of law enforcement officials, particularly those in positions of federal authority. While Valdivia’s past acquittal centered on his actions in a high-pressure situation, the current allegations raise broader questions about his conduct and potential patterns of behavior.
Montgomery County Police are urging anyone with information about Valdivia or additional allegations to contact investigators. As the case unfolds, it will test both the public’s trust in federal agencies and the FBI’s commitment to transparency and accountability in addressing misconduct within its ranks.
