A Silver Spring man has been sentenced to 26 years in prison, plus 231 days, for his involvement in two Metrobus groping incidents last year.
Kokouvi Apetoh, 45, was sentenced Feb. 28, 2025, after pleading guilty to two counts of second-degree assault, according to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office (MCSAO).
The sentencing hearing was held before Judge Bibi Berry.
The incidents occurred in January and March 2023, when Apetoh groped a woman on Metrobuses in separate incidents.
On Jan. 7, 2023, Apetho sat behind the woman and grabbed her breast. He fled before police arrived.
On March 22, 2023, he groped her again and fled, but the victim managed to take a photo of him.
Following an investigation by Rockville City Police and Metro Transit Police, Apetho was arrested.
He had prior convictions for similar offenses on public transit in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties and Washington, D.C., and is a registered sex offender.
In addition to the assault charges, Apetoh admitted to violating his probation for a previous metrobus groping case.
Judge Berry sentenced him to the maximum 10 years for each assault, to be served consecutively, plus an additional six and a half years for probation violation.
Assistant State’s Attorney Jodie Mount prosecuted the case.
State’s Attorney John McCarthy praised the sentence, calling Apetoh a “serial sexual offender” and emphasizing the need to ensure safe public transportation for women.
Photo courtesy MCSAO
