Man Sentenced to 50 Years for Christiansburg Hotel Assault

State of VA - A man convicted of sexually assaulting a woman inside a Christiansburg hotel room will spend 35 years in prison. Joseph Nathan Penn was sentenced in Montgomery County Circuit Court to a total of 50 years, with 35 years to serve.

Penn was found guilty after a trial in May 2026. His convictions include animate object sexual penetration, abduction, strangulation, assault and battery, and destruction of property.

According to Commonwealth's Attorney Patrick Jensen, the case began on October 23, 2025. That day, the victim went to the Budget Inn, West Main Street, Christiansburg, VA, to end her relationship with Penn.

Jensen said that while she was there, Penn "violently assaulted her, which included punching her, throwing her to the ground, and strangling her to the point where she could not breathe."

Penn then refused to let her leave the room. Jensen said he held a knife to her throat, which left a minor cut. He tried to tie her up with rope and then sexually assaulted her.

During the trial, the victim testified that she did not believe she would make it out of the room alive.

Once she was allowed to leave, the victim drove a short distance down the street. She then reported the attack to the Christiansburg Police Department.

Officers arrested Penn soon after as he walked out of his hotel room carrying a knife. The forensic lab in Roanoke later found the victim's DNA on the blade.

Investigators also recovered the rope from the hotel room. Another key piece of evidence came from Penn's own phone.

Jensen said Penn used the phone to record himself holding the knife to the victim's throat. Investigators recovered that video as well.

The court also issued a lifetime protective order. It bars Penn from having any contact with the victim.