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By
Laura Berol
- October 28, 2024
Court
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Daily Stories
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Non-Fatal Shooting
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Suspects
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Christopher Hinton pleaded guilty to carrying a pistol without a license as part of a brokered agreement with the prosecution before DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe on Oct. 28. Judge Pipe modified Hinton’s release conditions to allow him to attend school field trips while on home confinement pending his sentencing.
Hinton, 20, was originally charged with carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, possession of an unregistered firearm, two counts of unlawful possession of ammunition, and unlawful discharge of a firearm. The charges stemmed from his alleged involvement in a shooting on June 26, 2023, on the 2200 block of 10th Street, NW. No injuries were reported from the incident.
In exchange for Hinton’s guilty plea, the prosecution agreed to dismiss all other charges arising from the facts of the case. They also agreed to limit their sentencing request to the minimum called for by the sentencing guidelines.
The charge of carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business carries a sentence up to five years in prison or a fine up to $12,500 or both. It requires a three-year period of supervised release and a minimum payment of $100 to the Victims of Violent Crime Fund.
The prosecutor asked Judge Pipe to return Hinton to jail from home confinement because the firearm he was allegedly carrying when police apprehended him could carry 50 rounds and had been discharged.
Judge Pipe denied the prosecution’s request for stepback but ordered Hinton to complete all treatment ordered by the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) before sentencing. She said she would view his compliance as an indication whether he needed prison time at sentencing.
Andrew Ain, Hinton’s defense attorney, told the court Hinton’s school had asked for permission for him to attend field trips. In support of this request, Ain noted Hinton had fully complied with GPS monitoring conditions except for one incident of taking out the trash early in 2024.
Judge Pipe instructed Hinton to inform CSOSA about field trips 24 hours before they take place.
Hinton’s sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 17, 2025.