Former CIA agent sentenced to 30 years in prison for drug abuse and sexual abuse of women

Brian Jeffrey Raymonda veteran CIA officerwas sentenced to 30 years in a federal prison for drugging, photographing and sexually assaulting more than two dozen women during his deployments in various countries around the world. Wednesday's sentencing hearing was emotional, with victims describing the impact Raymond's actions had on their lives, the AP reported.
Raymond pleaded guilty to four of 25 federal charges, including sexual abuse, coercion and transportation of obscene material. In a statement, he expressed his regret: “There are no words to express how sorry I am. That is not who I am, and yet that is who I have become.”
The case drew attention to the question sexual misconduct within the CIA, and there are recent reports of other incidents involving agency employees. The CIA has publicly condemned Raymond's crimes and initiated reforms to address the problem, but the full extent of sexual misconduct within the agency remains secret.
Chief U.S. Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly called Raymond a “sexual predator” and imposed the full sentence prosecutors had sought. The 48-year-old's assaults, which date back to 2006, followed a similar pattern: He lured women he met on dating apps to his government-rented apartment, drugged them while serving them wine and snacks, and then photographed and abused them while they were unconscious.
One victim said of the images: “My body looks like a corpse on his bed.” “Now I have these nightmares where I see myself dead.” Numerous victims highlighted the long-term effects of Raymond's actions, such as panic attacks, recurring trance states, and broken self-confidence and trust in other people.
Prosecutors described Raymond as a “serial offender” whose attacks escalated over time and became “almost frenzied” during his final assignment in Mexico City. They noted that he often manipulated his victims into blaming themselves and feeling ashamed for their unconsciousness.
As part of his sentence, Raymond was ordered to pay $10,000 to each of his 28 victims. His lawyers had asked for leniency, arguing that his work at the CIA after 9/11 contributed to his emotional detachment and objectification of others.