*Trigger warning: sexual assault, rape*
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Two 20-year-old men were convicted in Norfolk almost two years after an armed robbery and rape during a home invasion.
On Oct. 2, 2021, Dameron Wright and Deandre Ward robbed a male and his friend in Virginia Beach before forcing them into a vehicle at gunpoint, and demanded they drive to home of the mother of one of the victims, according to a news release from the Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office.
After arriving at the house in Norfolk, the defendants entered and ordered all three victims to the ground and demanded thousands of dollars. Despite the woman handing them $800 in cash, Wright and Ward demanded more money, the release states. They proceeded to direct the three victims into a bedroom, then tied their hands.
While Wright searched the house for more money, Ward forced the mother to perform oral sex at gunpoint, and then raped her in front of her son saying, “Look what I’m doing to your mom.”
The two defendants ransacked the room and took more cash. Wright ordered the mother to a different room before also forcing oral sex and raping the woman, the release states.
Ward then raped the woman a second time before the two defendants forced the woman into a dog cage, and exited the home, according to the release.
Norfolk Police Department responded to the home where they found linens from where the rapes took place, which later revealed DNA from both defendants.
Both defendants were arrested by Norfolk and Virginia Beach Police in the days following the incident.
On Wednesday, Oct. 13, Wright pleaded guilty to rape, forcible sodomy, abduction with intent to defile, armed robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery and three counts of the use of a firearm in the commission of those felonies. Ward pleaded guilty to the same charges with an additional count each of rape and forcible sodomy.
Ward is scheduled to face trial in Virginia Beach Sept. 18 for firearm, statutory burglary and abduction charges.
There is no agreement on either defendant’s sentence, according to the release. Judge Tasha D. Scott accepted both pleas, and both defendants are docketed for sentencing on Dec. 15.
Continue to check WAVY.com for updates.