A stabbing defendant received a suspended sentence after he entered a guilty plea on Feb. 18 before DC Superior Court Judge Carmen McLean.
Melvin Cabrera, 25, was initially charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for his involvement in an altercation that took place on the unit block of Atlantic Street, SE on Nov. 6, 2025. The victim sustained several lacerations to his hand from a silver pocket knife.
During a felony status conference, Cabrera accepted a deal from prosecutors that required him to plead guilty to simple assault and possession of a prohibited weapon. In exchange, prosecutors agreed to dismiss any greater and remaining charges against Cabrera.
Judge McLean confirmed that Cabrera understood the terms of the agreement and accepted it knowingly and voluntarily.
According to prosecutors, the incident occurred while Cabrera was intoxicated and became frustrated that the victim would not give him another beer. During the dispute Cabrera told the victim, “If you call the police, I have cousins that can come kill you all.”
The prosecution requested a 180 day concurrent sentence for each charge, suspended sentence in favor or one year of probation. The prosecutor also requested that Cabrera receive substance abuse treatment through the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) due to the nature of the offense as well as a stay-away order from the victim.
Defense counsel, John Machado, asked that the sentences run concurrently and requested sentencing under the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA), which provides the potential for reduced sentences for offenders under 25 years old at the time of the crime and allows them to have their convictions cleared or sealed after they successfully complete their sentence. Machado noted that Cabrera was 24 years old at the time of the offense and has the potential for rehabilitation.
Judge McLean granted the request for Cabrera to be sentenced under the YRA, sentencing him to 180 days in prison for each charge, to run concurrently, all suspended.
Cabrera must serve one year of probation and complete 90 hours of community service. Judge McLean also ordered Cabrera to stay-away from the victim and complete substance abuse treatment as deemed necessary by CSOSA.
No future proceedings were scheduled.
