2 of 3 Defendants Resolve Drug Charges

By D.C. Witness Staff - August 28, 2020
Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Uncategorized |

Two of three co-defendants resolved cases they picked up after being arrested in a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) buy-bust operation. 

Rico Carter, Dardinella Hatcher and Kenneth O’Neal were originally charged with manufacturing or possessing with intent to manufacture a controlled substance and distribution of a controlled substance. They were arrested on June 2, 2019, in the aftermath of the operation, which took place on the 1200 block of Simms Place, NE. 

Carter pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of possessing a controlled substance. Judge Rainey Brandt sentenced him to time served.

Hatcher’s charges were also downgraded to possession. In her deal with the prosecution, Hatcher was given 30 days of probation without having to plead guilty.

O’Neal was also planning to take a plea. However, during the Aug. 28 hearing, he found out that he has an outstanding arrest warrant for second-degree theft. Judge Brandt continued his hearing to Sept. 11 so he could take care of it.

During the undercover operation, an undercover officer approached Carter and asked him if he could help them obtain Heroin, according to court documents. Carter then allegedly walked a short distance to meet with O’Neal and Hatcher in order to acquire the Heroin. He then sold it to the undercover officer.

Hatcher and Carter must pay $50 to the Victims of Violent Crime fund.