Suspect named in Virginia Beach rapes

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) - A Chesapeake man will remain in the Virginia Beach jail without bond while prosecutors seek indictments against him on two rape cases.

Christopher Minifee had a bond hearing in Virginia Beach Circuit Court Thursday. His attorney said Minifee should be allowed out of jail because he is only being held on resisting arrest and failure to appear in court, related to traffic violations - all misdemeanors. But prosecutors said they are about to charge him with rape based on a DNA match.

The DNA led Virginia Beach police to two brutal rapes a few weeks and just a couple of miles apart. They both came together in one investigation.

As 29-year-old Minifee faced a judge hoping to be released from jail, Associate Commonwealth's Attorney Sara Chandler told the judge that Wednesday's DNA tests linked Minifee to a rape in September and one in August.

Christopher Minifee's public defender argued that since his client had not yet been charged, denying him bond would be inappropriate.

Virginia Beach Commonwealth's Attorney's Office spokeswoman Julie Pickell told WAVY.com, "These [indictments] are going to be on multiple charges related to the rapes at the Oceanfront... It's not a matter of are we going to do it. We're going to do it. So obviously, with regard to public safety, it was important that be put out to the judge."

Judge Joe Canada, Jr. denied the bond, citing the future charges, but also noting Minifee's current circumstance.

WAVY.com obtained an arrest warrant dated September 16, 2009. It explained Minifee resisted arrest to avoid having to face a charge for failing to appear in court. The court document also listed Minifee as homeless, which prosecutors said made him a higher flight risk.

Attorneys revealed in court Thursday that Minifee's parents would allow him to live with them in Chesapeake if he was freed on bond.

"The good news is - and why we wanted this out - the public can rest easy. This guy's off the street. Our main suspect in this case, Mr. Minifee, is now in jail on unrelated charges," Bernstein said. He added that by going toward a direct indictment with a grand jury, the victims will not have to testify in a lower court, and then again at trial. If the grand jury indicts Minifee, a preliminary hearing is not needed.

North End Civic League member Peggy Gilman told WAVY.com the violent crime had people in her Oceanfront community worried.

"There are a lot of people, especially the women who live alone that are uneasy about being in the house alone," Gilman said. She added that there is some relief. "It helps a lot because we were all waiting to see what was going to happen next weekend or Tuesday or whenever. And if this person is in jail and is going to stay there, that's a little bit of a help," she said.

Minifee will stay in jail on the misdemeanor charges, while prosecutors prepare for a grand jury hearing October 5. Minifee denied WAVY.com's request for an interview.