Ex-CIA officer convicted of drugging and sexually abusing dozens of women

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(This story has been updated to correct a typo and clarify potentially confusing wording.)

A former CIA agent was sentenced to 30 years in prison Wednesday for drugging, sexually abusing and filming dozens of women over 14 years, including while on duty in Mexico City and elsewhere, authorities said.

Brian Jeffrey Raymond, 48, of La Mesa, pleaded guilty in November to sexual abuse, sexual assault, coercion and enticement and transportation of obscene material, the U.S. Justice Department said.

In his plea agreement, Raymond admitted to drugging four women and performing sexual acts on them without their consent, and having sexual contact with six women without their consent, prosecutors said in a written statement. He also admitted to drugging another 28 women and making obscene material depicting them without their knowledge or consent, and to drugging two more women.

Raymond “abused his trusted position as a representative of the United States government to lure women into his confidence,” said David Sundberg, assistant director in charge of the FBI Washington Field Office. “He then drugged and sexually abused them and took explicit photographs and videos of them without their consent. The FBI thanks the brave women who came forward with information that advanced this investigation. We recognize our domestic and international law enforcement partners who helped bring Raymond to justice for his despicable crimes.”

The crimes

FBI officials said the crimes took place in the U.S., in Mexico City, where Raymond was stationed at the U.S. Embassy between 2018 and 2020, and elsewhere.

The last known crimes took place in Raymond’s government-rented house in Mexico City.

According to authorities, numerous recordings and photographs Raymond made were used as evidence in the investigation.

“Many of the recordings depict Raymond touching and manipulating the victims’ bodies while they are unconscious and unable to consent,” the DOJ statement said. “Raymond deleted or attempted to delete explicit photos and videos of the victims after learning of the criminal investigation.”

How did Brian Raymond get caught?

The prolonged sexual abuse came to light on May 31, 2020, when a naked woman screamed for help from the balcony of Raymond’s home in Mexico City.

“Raymond admitted to having sex with her, but the woman stated she had no recollection of the events after consuming the drinks and food provided by Raymond,” an FBI affidavit said.

It was eventually discovered that Raymond had met many of his victims both inside and outside the U.S. through online dating apps, officials said.

Nicole M. Argentieri, deputy assistant attorney general for the Justice Department, said the sentence was appropriate given the seriousness of the crimes and the number of victims.

“Today’s ruling underscores the (DOJ) Criminal Division’s commitment to prosecuting sexual abuse violations of federal law, regardless of where those violations occur or who commits them,” she said. “We are grateful for the valuable partnership we have with the Mexican government and will continue to work with our domestic and international partners to obtain justice for victims of sexual exploitation.”

Carlos F. Matus, director of the State Department’s Diplomatic Security Services Division, said his agency will work with law enforcement partners to bring justice to officials who commit sexual abuse “anywhere in the world.”

“It is a prime example of how DSS’s global presence enables our agency to bridge U.S. and foreign law enforcement agencies so that those who commit such heinous crimes can be brought to justice,” he said.

After serving his 30-year sentence, Raymond will be placed on supervised release and registered as a sex offender for the rest of his life, the DOJ said. He was also ordered to pay $260,000 in restitution to his victims.

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