Judge Sentences Drive-By Shooting Defendant to 12 Years 

By Adriana Marroquin - December 19, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Shooting | stabbing | Suspects |

On Dec. 19, DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein sentenced an individual involved in a drive-by shooting and a stabbing attack at the DC Jail to 12 years incarceration. 

Alvin Jackson, 29, was originally charged with conspiracy, three counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and three counts of criminal street gang affiliation, for his involvement in a May 2, 2020 drive-by shooting that injured three individuals on the 5000 block of H Street, SE. Jackson was one of seven individuals charged in connection to the incident. 

Prosecutors alleged Jackson is part of the Simple City Crew, which they argue is a criminal street gang and responsible for crimes throughout the District. Though Judge Epstein stated there is not sufficient evidence to prove his involvement in the crew. 

Jackson was also charged with aggravated assault while armed for his involvement in a stabbing of another inmate at the DC Jail on Aug. 5, 2022, at the 1900 block of D Street, SE. 

On April 20, Jackson accepted a plea deal for both cases, which required he plead guilty to one count of assault with intent to kill while armed for the shooting, and assault with a dangerous weapon for the stabbing case, in exchange for a dismissal of all other charges. 

On June 11, Jackson filed a motion to withdraw his guilty plea, arguing his previous defense attorney failed to fully ensure he understood the plea. 

Judge Epstein denied the motion through a written order, which states “the court denies [Jackson’s] motion to withdraw his guilty plea because he does not contend that he is innocent of the two crimes to which he pled guilty.” 

During the sentencing, prosecutors and Steven Kiersh, Jackson’s defense attorney, stated they had no additional arguments to make, and requested the judge take their sentencing memorandums, which are not public, as their arguments. 

Judge Epstein stated that a “drive-by shooting is a serious crime, and it may be a miracle that nobody died,” and that, although Jackson was not a shooter, he played a significant role in the conspiracy. 

He continued that the pre-sentence report writer stated Jackson “expressed minimal remorse,” and that he could not fully understand what that meant. 

Judge Epstein imposed a sentence of 120 months for the shooting and 24 months for the stabbing, which are required to be served consecutively for a total of 12 years. Jackson is also required to serve a supervised release term of five years, and register as a gun offender. 

No further dates were set.