Former Newport News Police Officer Charged with Rape
Raheem Askew, identified as a former officer with the Newport News Police Department, has been charged with felony rape and booked into the Newport News City Jail.
Police Ping 
UPDATE 7/7/2026 - A former Newport News police officer, Raheem (or Rasheem) Askew, is now facing federal charges for rape following the dismissal of related state charges.
On March 14, 2026, Askew and another officer responded to a call about an unresponsive, intoxicated woman in a parking lot near J. Clyde Morris Boulevard. According to court documents, Askew allegedly took the woman to her hotel room at the Country Inn & Suites without notifying dispatch, deactivated his body camera, and had non-consensual sex with her while still in uniform and on duty. He later admitted to the sexual encounter, but the victim reported having no memory of it and stated she did not consent. Video evidence showed the woman leaving the room partially undressed and collapsing afterward. Askew, hired in 2023, was terminated from the department and initially charged with felony rape in state court.
The case has now moved to the federal level, where prosecutors are pursuing civil rights violations under color of law, capitalizing on the officer's abuse of authority. This follows a pattern seen in similar cases where state prosecutions encounter hurdles, prompting federal intervention to hold law enforcement accountable for on-duty misconduct. Newport News officials have emphasized that the alleged behavior violates the department's standards of integrity, and Askew remains in custody as the investigation continues. The incident has drawn significant local attention amid broader concerns about police accountability.
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — A former officer with the Newport News Police Department is facing serious criminal charges after being accused of raping an intoxicated woman earlier this month, according to court documents.
Authorities allege that Raheem M. Askew encountered the woman, identified in court filings as “Jane Doe,” around 10:30 p.m. on March 14. Askew and another officer had been dispatched to a commercial area along J. Clyde Morris Boulevard, just north of Interstate 64.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Newport News General District Court, officers found the woman visibly intoxicated, unsteady on her feet, and slurring her words.
Investigators say officers learned the woman was staying at the Country Inn & Suites, located about a half-mile away on the same roadway. One officer reportedly left the scene, while Askew was assigned to provide the woman a courtesy ride back to her hotel.
Country Inn & Suites J. Clyde Morris Blvd
However, the complaint alleges that Askew “deactivated his body-worn camera” as the trip began and failed to notify dispatchers that he was transporting the woman.
When they arrived at the hotel, authorities say Askew assisted the woman to the elevator and then to her room. Once inside, the complaint alleges that Askew proceeded to have sexual intercourse with her.
Askew has since been terminated from the department. The case remains under investigation, and court proceedings are ongoing.
The allegations have raised renewed concerns about officer conduct, accountability, and adherence to departmental policies, particularly regarding the use of body-worn cameras and interactions with vulnerable individuals.
Raheem M Askew Vineline In Custody Report
Authorities confirmed that Askew is no longer employed by the department. Details surrounding the alleged incident, including when and where it occurred, have not yet been fully released as the investigation remains ongoing.
The charges stem from a case handled by local law enforcement, with officials indicating the matter is being treated with the highest level of seriousness. No additional charges have been publicly confirmed at this time.
The arrest marks a significant development, as cases involving former law enforcement officers often draw heightened scrutiny regarding conduct, accountability, and public trust.
As of now, Askew remains in custody pending further court proceedings. It is unclear whether he has obtained legal representation or when his first court appearance will take place.
- Jan 24, 1990
- Date of alleged crime: 03/14/2026
- Charge: Rape by Force/Threat
- Complainiant / arresting officer Patrice R. Guillory
Officials have not released information about the alleged victim.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
