Fredericksburg man arrested, accused of knifepoint rape in Stafford

Mar. 30—A Fredericksburg man was arrested Thursday after being accused of raping a woman at knifepoint the previous afternoon in Stafford County, police said.

Nicholas James Middleton, 34, is charged with multiple offenses, including rape, malicious wounding, object sexual penetration, abduction, strangulation and assault and battery. He is being held without bond in the Rappahannock Regional Jail.

Stafford Sheriff's spokesman Ryan Wilbur said deputies J.A. Buzzard and C.A. Osbourne went to Mary Washington Hospital in Fredericksburg on Wednesday afternoon in response to an assault that had reportedly taken place in Stafford.

The victim told police that she was with Middleton when he began sexually assaulting her and held her against her will at knifepoint. She was treated at the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

Detectives took over the case and, with the assistance of Fredericksburg police, arrested Middleton at a fast-food restaurant in the city on Plank Road (State Route 3) near the Spotsylvania Towne Centre. Wilbur said the investigation is ongoing.

Wilbur reminds residents that victims of domestic abuse can contact Empowerhouse 24 hours a day for assistance at 540/373-9373, as well as their local law enforcement agency.

"No victim should go unheard and there are resources to help," Wilbur said. "If you or someone you know is a victim, please reach out."

Keith Epps: 540/374-5404

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