WASHINGTON — An FBI agent previously acquitted of attempted murder in connection with a shooting incident on a train was arrested in Maryland on Monday, facing accusations of sexual assault involving two women, as detailed by police and court documents.
Eduardo Valdivia has been placed on suspension by the FBI as they await the outcome of a police investigation being conducted in Montgomery County, Maryland, according to a spokesperson from the bureau.
The FBI takes all allegations of criminal misconduct seriously, highlighting that they cannot provide further commentary due to the ongoing investigation.
In 2022, Valdivia was found not guilty of charges that included attempted second-degree murder related to an off-duty shooting incident on a moving Metro train near the Washington, D.C. area.
Recent court filings reveal that Valdivia is now confronted with both felony and misdemeanor offenses, specifically two counts of second-degree rape, purportedly occurring in May and September of 2024.
Robert Bonsib, the defense attorney who previously represented Valdivia in the shooting case, confirmed his client’s arrest related to the sexual assault allegations. However, Bonsib has stated that they will reserve judgment, pending a thorough examination of the evidence.
A representative from the Montgomery County Police Department has identified Valdivia as the arrested agent but refrained from providing any links to the earlier shooting incident.
Detectives are investigating and believe that there may be more victims and are organizing a news conference to encourage potential victims to come forward, as stated by the police department. No additional details regarding the charges have yet been made public.
Valdivia, who is 40 years old and a resident of Gaithersburg, Maryland, will remain in custody following his initial court appearance on Monday. He is set to return to court for a bond hearing on Tuesday, according to his attorney.
Bonsib indicated that Valdivia began his career with the FBI in 2011 and was elevated to supervisory special agent at the bureau’s headquarters in 2019. Valdivia had been actively working as an FBI agent since his acquittal.
The incident that led to the previous shooting occurred on December 15, 2020, when a dispute between Valdivia and a passenger escalated, resulting in a shooting while the train was approaching the Medical Center station in Bethesda, Maryland.
Prosecutor Robert Hill detailed in court that Valdivia shot the man from a distance of two to three feet after repeatedly urging him to step back. The victim subsequently required significant surgery, including the removal of parts of his spleen, colon, and pancreas.
In support of Valdivia, Bonsib has maintained that the agent’s actions were justified as self-defense when the individual advanced towards him at the rear of the train car. Bonsib emphasized that the law does not mandate individuals to wait until they are attacked before acting, noting that a physical altercation could have escalated further.