In Spite of Support, Carjacking Defendant Receives 10 Year Sentence

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DC Superior Court Judge Robert Salerno sentenced Antone Watkins to 10 years in prison and five years of supervised release on Oct. 21. He ordered Watkins to pay $500 to the Victims of Violent Crime Fund.

Watkins, 29, was found guilty on July 3 of robbery while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, unauthorized use of a vehicle, and two counts of possession of firearm during a crime of violence. The incident took place on June 17, 2022, on the 1200 block of Howison Place, SW.

According to court documents, Watkins robbed an individual trying to purchase marijuana, struck him on the head with a pistol, and took his car. The victim suffered facial lacerations and a chipped tooth.

The prosecutor reminded Judge Salerno of sentencing enhancements based on Watkins’ two prior felonies that increased the limit of the guidelines from 10 years to 30 years.

The prosecutor requested a 10 year sentence for Watkins. He emphasized this sentence wasn’t at the top of the guidelines but in the bottom third.

Darryl Daniels II, Watkins’ attorney, requested a six-year sentence at the bottom of the guidelines, noting that several of Watkins’ prior convictions were for illegal gun possession.

“The District of Columbia is a dangerous jurisdiction,” Daniels argued. “The court does not have to look far to see the reasons people might possess firearms, even though by statute they shouldn’t have them.”

Daniels mentioned Watkins was injured by gunfire in one of the cases that resulted in his conviction for gun possession

“I understand the [prosecution’s] position that he shouldn’t have had that firearm, but the fact is that’s what saved his life,” Daniels said.

When Daniels asked who was at the courtroom for Watkins’ sake, six individuals in the gallery raised their hands. One said she had traveled from Atlanta, and another said he flew from California.

“When he came back from being incarcerated, the first thing he did was buy food for his nieces and nephews,” said one of Watkins’ supporters. The supporter said acts like these demonstrate the kind of person Watkins is, and he will do more of them if he moves away from DC.

“He has a good heart,” another supporter said about Watkins. “Although he has made mistakes, there has been a lot of failure on the part of our society since he was a young child.”

The supporter said Watkins went to Atlanta after his most recent incarceration, quickly found a job and a place to live, and stayed out of trouble until he had to return to DC.

“Let me start by acknowledging all the support Mr. Watkins has here. I have read his background, and I understand the difficult circumstances from which he comes,” said Judge Salerno. “Notwithstanding everyone saying what a good heart he has, he has not yet shown that he is ready to change his ways.”

Judge Salerno said Watkins had five prior convictions for simple assault, three for illegal possession of a firearm, one for a prison escape, and one for a violation of the Bail Reform Act (BRA). BRA violations are failures to appear in court when required.

“I hear about all the plans Mr. Watkins has for his release and all the plans people have for him, and I hope when he gets out he’ll be able to do them,” Judge Salerno said.

After Judge Salerno gave Watkins’ sentence, Daniels asked him to reconsider. He urged Judge Salerno to disregard Watkins’ juvenile convictions or give greater weight to the fact that they occurred in foster care situations in multiple jurisdictions.

“I would have given it greater weight, Mr. Daniels, if he didn’t have ten prior convictions,” said Judge Salerno. “I’ve reconsidered, and I think the original sentence is the right one.”

No further hearings are scheduled in this case.