Judge Convicts Norfolk Man of Impersonating Police Officer and Rape
NORFOLK, Va. Aug 17 2023 – On Tuesday, 29-year-old Jamir Wallace was convicted of rape, forcible sodomy, and impersonating a law enforcement officer from a February 2022 sexual assault in which Mr. Wallace abused his position as a security guard to force himself onto a woman who had sought his help.
On Feb. 13, 2022, the victim allowed a friend who was staying with her to borrow her car. While the friend was shopping inside of a Norfolk grocery store, the victim’s vehicle was stolen from the parking lot. After learning about the theft, the victim had another individual drop her off to the parking lot so that she could gather information and file a police report. Mr. Wallace at the time worked for a third-party security guard service at the grocery store, and he offered to help the victim by calling Norfolk Police. While dressed in his dark-colored uniform complete with a vest, badge, utility belt, and walkie-talkie, Mr. Wallace made numerous false references to being a Norfolk Police officer, including that the store utilized Norfolk Police officers as security guards and that he had “coworkers” at the “station” who would assist with the victim’s stolen vehicle case.
As the victim waited for responding officers with Mr. Wallace, he offered to use the victim’s phone to record the store’s security footage of her vehicle being stolen. Mr. Wallace then walked off with the victim’s phone and, when he returned, the victim noticed that he had texted himself from her phone — effectively giving himself her number without asking — and that he responded to this message to himself with the promised security footage. The victim eventually called dispatch again and arranged for officers to file a report with her at her home later that day.
After Mr. Wallace finished his shift, he contacted the victim claiming to have more information about her stolen car and that he needed to meet with her to discuss the situation further. Mr. Wallace, while still in uniform, arrived at the victim’s house and claimed to be there to arrest the victim’s friend for allegedly stealing inventory from inside the grocery store. The victim protested, and Mr. Wallace in turn asked where the victim’s bedroom was and directed her upstairs to it. Once upstairs, Mr. Wallace locked himself and the victim inside the victim’s bedroom and proceeded to rape her.
Mr. Wallace left the victim’s home before patrol officers arrived to take her report about the stolen car. The victim, too shocked and afraid to tell the initial responding officers what just happened, reported the rape to Norfolk Police the following morning. Norfolk Police arrested Mr. Wallace on Feb. 16, 2022, at the grocery store where he worked. Recovered from his vehicle was the security outfit he wore during the assault.
Mr. Wallace pleaded not guilty and had a bench trial before Judge David W. Lannetti. After hearing the evidence, Judge Lannetti found Mr. Wallace guilty of rape, forcible sodomy, and impersonating a law enforcement officer. Mr. Wallace is docketed for sentencing on Nov. 3.
“Rather than protect the patrons where he worked, Mr. Wallace abused his position, impersonated a police officer, threatened and deceived the victim, and victimized her further,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi. “Mr. Wallace’s crimes harmed the victim and public trust. My thoughts are with the victim.”
Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Madeline C. Woodruff prosecuted Mr. Wallace’s case on behalf of the Commonwealth.
