DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman heard carjacking co-defendants reject a plea offer in an April 10 hearing.
Daon Farmer, 23, is charged in a seven-count indictment with conspiracy, two counts of armed carjacking, two counts of possession of a firearm in a crime of violence, and two counts of unauthorized use of a vehicle in a crime of violence in connection to two incidents in Northwest DC on Jan. 21 and Jan. 22, 2024. Exact locations were not provided.
Jaleel Fowler, 26, is charged with aggravated assault knowingly while armed, two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, assault with intent to commit robbery while armed, unarmed carjacking, four counts of robbery while armed, four counts of unauthorized use of a vehicle during a crime of violence, conspiracy, ten counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, second-degree theft, and four counts of obstruction of justice.
The US Attorney’s Office named Deangelo Wooten as another co-conspirator facing a 48-count indictment on many of the same charges but including assault with intent to kill, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, robbery while armed and obstructing justice.
The charges all stem from alleged involvement in a shooting incident occurring on Dec. 15, 2023, on the 2700 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE.
According to the prosecutor, Farmer, and two co-conspirators carjacked a silver Toyota Camry as their first target, then pulled off another armed carjacking the following day.
The three men were offered a “wired” plea deal by the prosecutor, with the offer only valid if all three defendants accept it. The offer terms differed with each co-defendant.
The deal required Farmer to plead guilty to one count of armed carjacking and one count of armed robbery. He would serve ten years straight time in exchange for a dismissal of all other charges in this case.
Fowler’s offer also required him to plead guilty to one count of armed carjacking and one count of armed robbery. However, would serve 22 years straight time in exchange for a dismissal of all other charges in this case.
Wooten’s plea offer required him to plead guilty to two counts of assault with intent to kill and one count of armed robbery. He would serve 29 years straight time in exchange for a dismissal of all other charges in this case.
Farmer’s attorney, Courtney Vaughan, announced that her client rejected the proposed plea offer, which also eliminated the option for his co-defendants.
Despite Vaughan’s request to set a trial date for all parties, the prosecution was not prepared, having just extended the plea offer on April 8.
The prosecutor requested more time to confer with his supervisor and check witness availability.
Parties are slated to reconvene on April 21.
