GRAND JURY INDICTS “PANTYHOSE” RAPIST FOR ESCAPE

ATLANTA- Fulton County District Attorney Paul L. Howard Jr. announces the Grand Jury indictment of Ali Nejad for felony escape.

In 2005, Nejad was convicted by a Fulton county jury of Rape, Aggravated Sodomy, Aggravated Sexual Battery, and Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, related to sexual attacks upon two women. He was immediately sentenced by Fulton County Superior court Judge T. Jackson Bedford to 35 years to serve in prison. During the trial, in addition to the two victims named in the indictment, the State presented evidence of his sexual attacks upon three other women.

The Georgia Court of Appeals reversed his conviction in March 2009 based upon the argument that Nejad’s defense counsel was ineffective. On March 27, 2009, a Fulton County judge granted him a $100,000 bond. Nejad was required to wear an ankle monitor and remain at home. The house arrest was ordered despite new evidence presented by the District Attorney’s office of another sexual attack upon a woman discovered through a GBI CODIS hit. In the new case, again, Nejad used pantyhose, and in spite of this new evidence presented to the Court, bond was granted.

Based upon an appeal to the Supreme Court of Georgia brought by the Fulton County District Attorney’s office, the conviction was unanimously reinstated on Monday, March 15, 2010. That morning, members of the District Attorney’s Office immediately began attempts to verify that Nejad was at home, as ordered. Around 3 p.m. that afternoon, District Attorney’s Office Investigators drove to Nejad’s home to confirm that he was present and discovered that Nejad’s ankle monitor had been removed and hidden under a blanket. Subsequent investigation revealed that Nejad likely removed the ankle monitor and fled the home between 3:00 and 4:00 that morning, several hours before the Supreme Court decision was returned. The U.S. Marshall’s Task Force and the Fulton County Sherriff’s department are leading an extensive manhunt for Nejad.

Following the assignment of an indictment number, the new case will be assigned to a Superior Court Judge for prosecution. Anyone having information regarding the whereabouts of Ali Nejad should contact the Fulton County Sherriff or call 911.

Media Contact: Yvette Brown, 404-224-0560/404-392-8867, yvette.brown@fultoncountyga.gov