Maryland man charged with rape and abduction after using fake name on dating app in Virginia
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – A Maryland man is facing multiple felony charges after allegedly using a false identity on a dating app to travel to Virginia, where he is accused of raping and abducting a victim during a meetup arranged under the guise of helping purchase a vehicle, Albemarle County Police announced.
Shane R. Driscoll, 32, of Baltimore, was arrested last week and is currently being held without bond at the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail. Investigators say Driscoll posed as “Wayne Washington” on the dating app used to connect with the victim.
According to police, the victim reported the assault in September, stating that the suspect traveled to the Charlottesville area under a false identity. After a months-long investigation, authorities confirmed the alias was fictitious and linked the account to Driscoll.
The Albemarle County grand jury indicted Driscoll on December 1, adding to the two felony charges he was already facing. He is now charged with:
- Rape
- Abduction with the intent to defile
- Communicating a threat in writing
Police have not disclosed the exact circumstances of the alleged assault but say the suspect made written threats during or after the incident. The investigation remains active, and law enforcement officials are seeking additional information from anyone who may have interacted with Driscoll using the alias “Wayne Washington” or other fake identities online.
The Albemarle County Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division is leading the case.
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Key Points
- Shane R. Driscoll, 32, of Baltimore, charged with rape and abduction in Albemarle County
- Suspect allegedly used alias “Wayne Washington” on a dating app to lure the victim
- Police seeking other possible victims who may have encountered Driscoll online