04:00 PM EST on Friday, December 2, 2005

By Dottie Wikan, WVEC.com

A suspect has been arrested and charged in the rape of a William and Mary student in her off-campus apartment.

From James City Co. Police

Kermit Anthony "Tony" Gray

Kermit Anthony "Tony" Gray, 22, of 4342 Ironbound Road in James City County, was arrested Thursday afternoon at the Newsome Park Apartments in Newport News' East End.

In an email to students, College officials said Gray has confessed.

He's the person of interest police sought following Tuesday morning's rape and robbery of a 22-year-old woman at the Governor's Square Apartments. Police said Gray had been charged several times over the past years with peeping into windows at the same complex.

Newport News police arrested Gray on an unrelated charge and he also faces a marijuana possession charge in that city.

Gray has been charged with one count each of rape, abduction, robbery and burglary with the intent to commit a robbery and rape while armed with a dangerous weapon.

Police are awaiting results from tests of a 12.5" kitchen knife that was found on the ground outside the apartment complex to determine whether it was the weapon used in the crime.

Police photo

Christopher Michael Evans

Meantime, William and Mary officials told WVEC.com that a 25-year-old man has been arrested for the August 31, 2001 sexual assault of a student in the woods on Gooch Drive near the on-campus Student Health Center. The then-senior was able to get to a nearby emergency phone and call for help.

College officials told WVEC.com the woman has graduated and has been notified of the arrest.

News of Christopher MIchael Evans' arrest was announced In a campus-wise e-mail from Vice President for Student Affairs Sam Sadler.

Assailant In Custody - I have just been notified that the James City County Police have arrested a 22 year old James City County man, Kermit Anthony ("Tony") Gray, who, I am advised, has confessed to the rape of our student early Tuesday morning at the Governor's Square Apartment Complex.  The individual has been charged with burglary, rape, robbery and abduction. 

A Second Rape Solved - In a much older and unrelated incident, the William and Mary Campus Police have also arrested a man believed responsible for an August 31, 2001, rape of a student near the Student Health Center.  At the time of his arrest by the Campus Police on charges of rape, abduction and robbery, Christopher Michael Evans, was incarcerated at the Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail on an unrelated charge of abduction and sexual battery.  His arrest was based on DNA evidence.  Neither this man nor the one arrested for the Governor's Square rape were students at the College or known to their victims.

I want to take this opportunity to congratulate and thank the James City County Police and the William and Mary Campus Police on their excellent and effective work.  It is comforting to all of us to know that we are protected by able professionals like these. We feel a collective sense of relief that the persons believed to be responsible for these two horrendous acts have been apprehended.

Sam Sadler