IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.

Suspect in Case of Missing UVA Student Hannah Graham Has Slew of Other Charges

Jesse Matthew has a history of serious charges — including assault, possession of stolen property and trespassing — plus traffic infractions.
Jesse Leroy Matthew JR
The Charlottesville Police Department would like to speak with Jesse Leroy Matthew Jr. regarding the disappearance of Hannah Elizabeth Graham on September 13, 2014.CHARLOTTESVILLE POLICE DEPT.

The last person believed to have seen University of Virginia student Hannah Graham before she vanished has a litany of charges against his name. Jesse Matthew, 32, a patient technician in the operating room at the university's medical center, has a history of serious charges — assault, grand larceny, possession of stolen property and trespassing — as well as a host of traffic infractions.

Matthew was charged with abduction with intent to defile by Charlottesville police Tuesday. He has not been seen since he sped away from the Charlottesville police station Saturday after a brief interview, when he was only considered a person of interest in Graham's disappearance and hadn't officially been named as a suspect.

Legal records show Matthew was charged with assault and attempted grand larceny in Virginia in 2009, but the charges were dropped. The charges stemmed from an incident in June of that year, where Matthew was accused of assault while attempting to steal a cell phone, NBC affiliate WSLS in Virginia reported. He was then charged and convicted of trespassing in 2010. And in 2012, he faced a possession of stolen property charge; that charge was dropped as well. The circumstances surrounding those charges were not clear from the court records. Matthew also has several traffic infractions listed on his record.

Graham was last seen early on Sept. 13.

IN-DEPTH

SOCIAL

—Elizabeth Chuck and Donna Mendell