Former CIA Officer Sentenced to 30 Years for Drugging and Assaulting Women in International Scandal
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Brian Jeffrey Raymond, a former CIA officer, was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for drugging, photographing, and sexually assaulting more than two dozen women across multiple countries. The case, one of the most severe misconduct cases in the CIA’s history, has sent shockwaves through the intelligence community.
During an emotional court hearing, victims recounted their trauma, describing Raymond as a manipulative predator who preyed on women he met through dating apps like Tinder. Using his government-leased apartments in countries such as Mexico and Peru, Raymond drugged the women, took explicit photographs while they were unconscious, and assaulted them.
U.S. Senior Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly condemned Raymond’s actions, stating, “It’s safe to say he’s a sexual predator.” She imposed the maximum sentence requested by prosecutors, which includes restitution payments of $10,000 to each of Raymond’s 28 identified victims.
The investigation uncovered over 500 images and videos documenting Raymond’s assaults. Prosecutors revealed that his criminal activities spanned more than a decade, beginning in 2006. Many victims only learned of the assaults after FBI agents showed them the incriminating photos, some of which depicted the women in unconscious, lifeless poses.
Raymond, a former White House intern and fluent speaker of Spanish and Mandarin, pleaded guilty to four of the 25 federal charges against him, including sexual abuse, coercion, and transportation of obscene material. His defense sought leniency, citing the emotional toll of his “quasi-military” CIA work. However, the court rejected the argument, emphasizing the heinous nature of his crimes.
This case comes at a time when the CIA faces growing scrutiny over sexual misconduct within the agency. Despite reforms, including stronger protections for women and faster disciplinary actions, critics argue that much of the CIA’s handling of such cases remains hidden behind a veil of secrecy. A recent internal watchdog report highlighted systemic issues in the agency’s response to sexual misconduct.
Raymond’s sentencing represents a significant moment in the broader reckoning over the CIA’s internal culture, raising questions about accountability within the intelligence community.