Bill Rausch’s Indictment

Here’s the indictment filed in DC Superior Court, which provides some context for the crime Bill Rausch is charged with. He did not show up for his scheduled arraignment today because he has not yet left Camp Lemonnier, in East Africa. Word is the Army is having issues with getting a flight out, though they do have the option of sending him on a private airline (which they have not done).

The hearing has been rescheduled for next week. The way it works in DC, Bill will show up in the morning, be arrested and processed through the police department then escorted to the hearing. He does not have to post bail for this charge, so he will likely return home after the hearing.

This felony indictment is very serious and Bill faces up to 10 years if convicted. There are four more women who have alleged harassment and abuse, but those cases can no longer be prosecuted. You can read their stories here. Also, the victim in the felony case also claims Bill pushed her down the escalator in the Metro – a clear and frightening attempt to harm her – but that case is beyond the statute of limitation.

The victims are asking the New Hampshire State police to review Bill Rausch’s whereabouts after he arrived in New Hampshire to search for Maura in 2004.

I believe Maura was traveling in tandem with another driver and made it to her destination the night of the accident. If that is what happened, she may have been harmed later in the week, and nobody has an alibi.

At least two soldiers from Camp Lemonnier have also filed complaints with the Inspector General against Bill Rausch in the last few weeks, alleging Rausch harassed and abused them and created a toxic work environment.

If you know something about Maura’s whereabouts the week of the crash, please contact the New Hampshire Cold Case Unit.

**UPDATE**

The Washington City Paper covers the case.

**UPDATE 2***
Here is the official statement from the Army unit Bill was a part of.

“We are aware of an incident involving Maj. William Rausch.  The Army sets
high standards for all of its Soldiers and demands adherence to the Army
Values and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. This incident is the
subject of an ongoing police investigation and it would be improper for us
to comment. We will continue to review the information related to this case
as it becomes available.  All further questions should be directed to the
Washington, DC Metropolitan Police Department.”

**UPDATE 3**
Bill Rausch appeared in court today, April 23, for his arraignment. If they followed standard protocol, he would have first turned himself in to the police next door to the court house, where they would have arrested and processed him through their system before leading him through an underground walkway to the court for his arraignment.

Rausch is set to return to court May 17th for a status hearing. He is being represented by a DC attorney skilled with serving defendants who are in the military. He was released after the hearing today and will remain free (in DC, they usually don’t issue bail even for felonies.) He is ordered to remain in the United States.

Rausch faces 10 years in prison if convicted of sex abuse. He is also the subject of at least three separate complaints with the Inspector General’s office for his actions and behavior when he was deployed.