An Atlanta man, Demetrius Samuel Roam, 22, has been sentenced to a prison term of 50 years after pleading guilty to a series of charges related to the sexual assault of two women and a string of related crimes. In a case that has unsettled many, Roam accepted charges including Aggravated Assault, Aggravated Assault Strangulation, and Rape, as per an announcement from DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston. These incidents among others took place within a week of each other in October 2020.
Residing at an Atlanta apartment complex, Roam made use of social media to make contact with his victims, one of which he met and subsequently attacked at his apartment on 2500 Shallowford Road, as revealed by the DeKalb County Police Department. The first victim was able to escape after being forcibly dragged and assaulted in the identically described apartment, cutting her fingers on the knife as she was strangled by the assailant. She found help from a neighbor, who had called the police after hearing her screams. Police later confirmed her story finding evidence of blood in the assailant's bathroom.
A week following the first assault, Roam attempted to assault another woman who had planned to meet up with him, also connected through social media. In a terrifying twist of fate, the victim encountered Roam near a laundry room, mistaking him for someone else, only to be attacked and pushed into a closet where she was raped. Noticing his distinct red neck tattoo, this victim’s description led the police to connect the crimes to Roam.
During the investigation, detectives linked Roam to additional cases, including a cold case from 2019. He was identified in a lineup by both victims. "I didn’t mean to hurt her, she grabbed the knife," Roam reportedly conceded in an interview with police, according to DKPD. He also led police to stolen goods that he had taken from the victim, crediting to having thrown the purse and credit cards behind the apartment.
Roam's guilty plea, which was non-negotiated, ushered his conviction and subsequent sentencing by DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Asha F. Jackson. With the proceedings led by Senior Assistant District Attorney Furhawn Shah and help from his colleagues, Roam now faces 50 years in prison plus a subsequent life on probation. He is also required to register as a sex offender and has been duly banned from using social media for life. Under Georgia law, the custodial portion of Roam’s sentence does not allow for early release.
