Warrant Issued for Hannah Graham Abduction Suspect in 2005 Fairfax Sexual Assault

The suspect charged with the kidnapping of University of Virginia student Hannah Graham has been issued a bench warrant in connection with a 2005 Fairfax County sexual assault.

Fairfax County Judge Dennis Smith issued a warrant Thursday for Jesse L. Matthew Jr., 32, of Charlottesville. He is charged with attempted capital murder, abduction with intent to defile and sexual penetration with an object.

According to police, a 26-year-old woman was walking home from a supermarket in 2005 when she was reportedly grabbed from behind and forced into a wooded area. She was able to ward off her attacker by screaming and fighting back, The Washington Post reports.

Matthew was arrested Sept. 23 in Texas, 10 days after the disappearance of 18-year-old Hannah Graham. He is currently being held without bond at the Albermarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail on charges of kidnapping Graham in the early-morning hours of Sept. 13. If convicted of the Fairfax case, Matthew could face up to three life sentences without parole.

Image: Jesse L. Matthew Jr., 32, of Charlottesville. Patch file photo.