Suspect Pleads Guilty to Abducting Senator's Wife

FAIRFAX, Va. – A second suspect has pleaded guilty to abducting and robbing the wife of U.S. Sen. Judd Gregg (search), R-N.H., in the couple's McLean, Va., home in 2003.

Michael Pierre, 27, of Upper Marlboro, Md., pleaded guilty Tuesday in Fairfax County Circuit Court. He faces up to 19 years in prison.

Pierre's attorney said his client had been a law-abiding citizen with a full-time job until six months before the Oct. 7, 2003 invasion. But then Pierre started smoking crack, and attorney James Connell said, "it's a downward spiral from there."

Kathleen Gregg (search) was forced at knifepoint to drive to a bank and withdraw money. She ran away after handing over cash.

The other man, Christopher Forbes (search), 33, pleaded guilty last week and was sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Neither Kathleen Gregg nor her husband attended either hearing.

Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Julie Mitchell said the two men entered Gregg's home through an open garage door. Mitchell said Kathleen Gregg told police that she tried to run away but that they tackled her, with Pierre telling her, "Give us what we want, or we will rape and kill you."

Pierre ransacked the house while Forbes held Gregg down, Mitchell said. The two snatched jewelry, credit cards, a silver platter, a $30,000 engagement ring and the senator's golf clubs but wanted cash.

Hoping to save her life by getting the men out in public, Gregg persuaded the pair to let her drive to her bank. Mitchell said Pierre rode with Gregg in her car, with a knife at her neck, and then accompanied her into the bank. As the teller was counting out her money, Gregg handed it to Pierre, then darted out through a side door. Pierre fled.

The men were arrested two days later in Carteret, N.J. The senator's golf clubs, credit cards and silverware were in their car, Mitchell said.

Court records show that Pierre cooperated with police, admitting his role in the case and implicating Forbes. Pierre also plans to plead guilty to two other crimes, in Arlington and Alexandria, before his sentencing April 7, his attorney said.