A man was convicted of raping a woman on the Washington & Old Dominion Trail in Fairfax County, Virginia, in November 2024.
Denis Navarette confessed to the crime, Herndon police said.
Prosecutors say his conviction was delayed because he was first found incompetent to stand trial.
“My office reached this outcome because the defendant poses a clear risk to public safety and cannot remain in the community,” Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano said in a news release. “He harmed the victim immeasurably, and, by raping a stranger in a public park, has harmed everyone in our community who uses public spaces.”
Navarette could face up to 18 years in prison when he’s sentenced in December.
He is an undocumented immigrant from Honduras, police say.
