Judge Holds 4 Defendants During Initial Hearings

By D.C. Witness Staff - August 5, 2020
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On Aug. 5, DC Superior Court Judge Heide Herrmann held four out of 17 defendants during their initial hearings.

Joshua Foxworth appeared before the court on a bench warrant that was issued on July 31 by DC Superior Court Judge Judith Smith. Foxworth has underlying charges of first-degree theft and receiving stolen property from an offense he allegedly committed on April 11, 2019.

Judge Herrmann held Foxworth, saying she had spoken to Judge Smith, who requested she hold him.

Ahmed Sellers is charged with contempt of court. He is a fugitive from Maryland, where he is charged with a probation violation. Sellers was on probation in an unlawful entry case, and also has three other pending cases currently.

Judge Herrmann decided to release him in the contempt matter, but held him in the fugitive matter. Sellers decided he wanted to waive extradition, meaning Maryland officials have three business days to retrieve him from DC Jail.

Benjamin Camm is charged of assault with significant bodily injury. At the time of his arrest, he was on release for another assault case.

Judge Herrmann decided to hold Camm, citing his other assault case, long criminal history and conviction in a Temporary Protective Order (TPO) violation case.

Jemell Turner is charged with carrying a pistol without a license outside of his home or business. Turner was on supervision for a pending case with the same charge at the time of his arrest.

Judge Herrmann decided to hold Turner. She cited his pending case and said he was deemed a loss of contact with the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) for some time. She also mentioned she was concerned that Turner was partaking in other illegal activities due to the objects found in his apartment.

One defendant, who is charged with second-degree theft, has been in the hospital since July 20, so Judge Herrmann continued his case to Aug. 6. 

Two co-defendants were brought before the court on the charge of distribution of a controlled substance. Judge Herrmann released both defendants with stay away orders.

Another defendant charged with distribution of a controlled substance, along with a defendant is charged with second-degree theft and possession of drug paraphernalia were also released with stay away orders.

Two domestic violence defendants were released and ordered to stay away from the victim and place of the incident. 

Judge Herrmann released a defendant and ordered him to resolve his warrant in Maryland.

The judge released two defendants charged with unlawful entry, giving one a stay-away order.

One defendant, who had a bench warrant for an underlying case in which he was charged with attempted threats to do bodily harm, simple assault and possession of a controlled substance, was also released. 

At the request of the prosecution, Judge Herrmann released a defendant charged with assault and ordered him to stay away from the victim and place of the crime.

Another defendant, whose charges are not known due to technical difficulties during the hearing, was released with an order to stay away from the victim.