Judge Holds Four Out of 18 Defendants During Initial Hearings

By D.C. Witness Staff - August 4, 2020
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DC Superior Court Judge Heide Herrmann released 14 defendants and held four defendants in DC Jail during initial hearings on Aug. 4.

Joavon Thompson, charged with being a fugitive from justice, was held in order for Maryland to pick him up from DC Jail. He has an underlying charge for homicide so Judge Herrmann said she was not comfortable releasing him.

Mark Molden, charged with unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance (marijuana) while armed, was also held by the judge. 

Molden’s defense counsel asked for his release, citing his limited criminal history and the ongoing pandemic; however, Judge Herrmann held Molden, saying that possessing a firearm after a conviction of carrying a pistol without a license is serious.

Santos Barrera was held on a fugitive from justice charge where he is wanted in Maryland for aggravated assault. Barrera was also charged with a felony for violating bail. Judge Herrmann released him on the bail case and held him on the fugitive charge in order for Maryland authorities to collect him from DC.

The final defendant held was a woman charged with aggravated assault in a domestic violence case. Though the defense requested her release, Judge Herrmann held the woman, citing her lengthy criminal history, the fact that she is on supervised release in multiple cases and the severe injuries the victim sustained.

Of those released, one defendant did not have charges filed against him and was released.

Another defendant was released in error by DC Jail. 

There were six additional domestic violence cases. Five were released with stay-away orders from the complainants and one was given a no harassment, assaultive, threatening or stalking (HATS) order.

One defendant, charged with being a fugitive from justice, was released with orders to turn himself in to Maryland authorities.

Judge Herrmann released four additional defendants charged with misdemeanors involving sexual abuse, unlawful entry, assault, attempted possession of a prohibited weapon and tampering with a detection device. Two of the defendants were given stay-away orders.

Two final defendants were released.

One was brought in on a bench warrant from 2017. His case was dismissed by the prosecution.

The other defendant has been in the hospital for over a week and continues to be there, so Judge Herrmann moved his hearing to tomorrow.