Ex-CIA officer gets 30 years in prison for drugging, sexually abusing dozens of women
(This story was updated to correct a typo and clear up potentially confusing phrasing.)
A former longtime CIA officer received a 30-year prison sentence Wednesday for drugging, sexually abusing and video recording dozens of women over 14 years, including while serving abroad in Mexico City and elsewhere, authorities said.
Brian Jeffrey Raymond, 48, of La Mesa pleaded guilty in November to one count of sexual abuse, one count of abusive sexual contact, one count of coercion and enticement, and one count of transporting obscene material, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
In his plea agreement, Raymond admitted to drugging and engaging in nonconsensual sexual acts with four women, as well as having nonconsensual sexual contact with six women, prosecutors said in a written statement. He also admitted to drugging another 28 women and creating obscene material depicting them without their knowledge or permission, as well as drugging two additional women.
Raymond "exploited his trusted position as a U.S. government representative to lure women into his confidence," FBI Washington Field Office Assistant Director in Charge David Sundberg said. "He then drugged and sexually assaulted them and took explicit photos and videos of them without their consent. The FBI thanks the brave women who shared information that furthered this investigation. We recognize our domestic and foreign law enforcement partners who helped bring Raymond to justice for his reprehensible crimes."
The crimes
FBI officials said the crimes took place in the U.S., in Mexico City, where Raymond was stationed at the U.S. Embassy from between 2018 and 2020, and elsewhere.
The last known crimes took place at Raymond's government-leased home in Mexico City.
Numerous recordings and photographs taken by Raymond were used as evidence in the investigation, authorities said.
"Many of the recordings show Raymond touching and manipulating the victims’ bodies while they were unconscious and incapable of consent," the DOJ statement said. "Raymond deleted or attempted to delete explicit photographs and videos depicting the victims after learning about the criminal investigation."
How was Brian Raymond caught?
The long-term sexual abuse came to light on May 31, 2020, when a naked woman was seen screaming for help from a balcony of Raymond's Mexico City home.
"Raymond admitted to having sexual intercourse with her, but the woman reported that she had no memory of events after consuming drinks and food provided by Raymond," according to an FBI statement.
It was ultimately discovered that Raymond met many of his victims both in and outside the U.S. through online dating apps, officials added.
DOJ Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri said the sentence was appropriate, given the gravity of the crimes and the number of victims.
"Today’s sentence underscores the (DOJ) Criminal Division’s commitment to prosecuting sexual abuse in violation of federal law, no matter where those violations occur or who commits them," she said. "We are grateful for the valuable partnership we have with the Mexican government and will continue to work with our domestic and international partners to pursue justice for victims of sexual exploitation."
Department of State Diplomatic Security Services Division Director Carlos F. Matus said his agency will work alongside law enforcement partners to bring justice to public servants who commit sexual assault "anywhere in the world."
"It is a good example of how DSS’s global presence enables our agency to serve as a bridge between U.S. and foreign law enforcement counterparts to assist in bringing those who commit such heinous crimes to justice," he said.
Following his 30-year prison term, Raymond will be placed on supervised release and register as a sex offender for the rest of his life, according to the DOJ. He was also ordered to pay $260,000 in restitution to his victims.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Ex-CIA officer sentenced for drugging, sexually abusing dozens of women
