A Silver Spring man was sentenced to 26 years and 231 days in prison for two counts of second-degree assault and violating probation in a prior metrobus groping case. The defendant is a registered sex offender with a history of similar offenses, repeatedly assaulted a woman on public transit, leading to his arrest and maximum sentencing.
According to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office, “In the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, the Honorable Bibi Berry sentenced defendant, Kokouvi Apetoh, 45, of Silver Spring, to 26 years plus 231 days in prison. The sentencing hearing concluded Friday, February 28, 2025. On February 6, 2024, the defendant pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree assault. He also admitted to violating his probation for a second time in a prior metrobus groping case.
The defendant boarded a metrobus on January 7, 2023, and sat behind a woman who was a stranger to him. He reached between the seats and grabbed her breast. She reported the incident to police, but he had already fled the scene. On March 22, 2023, the defendant sat behind the same woman on a metrobus and grabbed her breast again. The victim quickly turned around and took a photo of the defendant before he fled the scene again. Apetoh was arrested following an investigation by Rockville City Police in conjunction with Metro Transit Police.
Apetoh was convicted in four prior cases involving the victimization of women on public transit for incidents in Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties and the District of Columbia. He is a registered sex offender.
Judge Berry stated this was the “end of the road” for the defendant as she sentenced him to the maximum of ten years on each count of second-degree assault to run consecutively and an additional six and a half years for his violation of probation.
Assistant State’s Attorney Jodie Mount prosecuted this case.
“This defendant is a serial sexual offender who systematically targeted innocent women commuting to and from work. We are committed to protecting women in our community and making sure that those who take public transportation can do so safely. We applaud Judge Berry for recognizing the significance of the defendant’s abhorrent conduct and issuing the maximum penalty,” said State’s Attorney John McCarthy.