Judge certifies man’s rape charges

Rape suspect Albert A. Sledd, shook his head through most of a hearing Wednesday, but it drew no sympathy from an Augusta County judge, only a reprimand.

A woman testified that he beat her early Sept. 17 demanding that she have sex with him. She acquiesced, showered and went to work battered and bruised, she said.

A judge Wednesday certified the case to a grand jury. Authorities charged Sledd, 28, of Staunton, with rape and assault and battery. The News Virginian does not identify alleged victims of sexual assault.

One of the woman’s co-workers called authorities after seeing her injuries,  police said.

“Our deputy was called to Mint Spring for an assault, and he advised [the victim] to go to the hospital,” Augusta County Sheriff’s Office Investigator A.C. Powers said last month. “There were bruises on her neck and face.”

Officers followed the victim to Augusta Health where she took a rape-kit test and explained her situation to police, Powers said.

In court Wednesday Sledd twitched irritably during the victim’s testimony. His shackles clinked and his head shook.

A bailiff tapped his shoulder to stop the clinking.

“But I can’t stop,” Sledd said.

“Mr. Sledd, you need to stop shaking your head,” the judge said, with force.

Sledd fell silent.

Public defender Linda Czyzyk questioned an ongoing relationship between Sledd and the victim, despite his charges.

The pair wrote letters to each other while Sledd sat in jail, Czyzyk said. Oftentimes the victim signed her letters, “I love you,” and “From your future wife,” she said.

“Clearly there’s a relationship there,” she said.

But after looking at photos of the bruises and hearing testimony the judge certified the case.

Sledd was convicted of brandishing a firearm in Staunton in 2003, according to court records.

Sledd remained in Middle River Regional Jail Wednesday night.

He is scheduled to face a grand jury Oct. 26.