Woman Raped by Fire Captain Speaks Out

WASHINGTON, D.C. - A woman who was raped by a high-ranking D.C. firefighter is speaking out, coming forward one day after Captain Tony Sneed was convicted of four charges related to the rape.

Sneed raped the woman while she was unconscious last summer. The rape, the investigation and the trial is a horrible ordeal. However, the woman says it was more than courage that got her thru it-- it was her determination to make sure a 'trusted firefighter' did not rape again.

The woman, who did not want to be identified, cried and said, "They found him guilty on all charges. I fell over crying. It was a big relief, but the pain is still here."

A year ago, the woman we'll call Sarah, was attacked by Captain Tony Sneed. He is a 20-year veteran of the D.C. Fire Department with Engine 4. She knew taking Sneed on would be an uphill battle.

"My biggest fear was finding out who he was and how many years he had with the fire department," Sarah said. "Just being scared to death that it's this big guy. He's high up and I'm just your average Joe person."

It happened while she was unconscious inside Sneed's daughter's home in Chesapeake Beach after a party last summer. The last thing she remembers is watching television.
"I woke up in so much pain-- I knew something happened to me," said the 23-year-old woman.

For survivors, coming forward isn't easy.

"It's hard," Sarah said. "I mean, it makes you feel dirty. It makes you feel awful. (However,) Just coming forward can bring you relief."

Sneed has still not been fired by the fire department. Sarah says thru the trial, he's been arrogant.

The rape trial for her was torturous. She's angered that Sneed's defense attorneys targeted her.

"He was trying to break me. It was clear because I had to ask for breaks. I was dry heaving on the stand. I had to run out of the courtroom," said Sarah.

The jury believed the Sarah and convicted Sneed-- the veteran, high-ranking fireman.

For this rape survivor, it sends the right message.

"You can't blame yourself, and you have to be strong and you have to come forward and face it and stand up," said Sarah. "If you don't, it'll continue to happen to others."

Sneed will be sentenced September 18 and faces 40 years in prison. He remains on enforced leave until internal affairs verifies the convictions.