Judge Issues Bench Warrant to Get Back in Contact with Defendant

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A DC Superior Court judge issued a bench warrant for a defendant who did not show up to his Aug. 10 hearing.

Michael Musgrove, 23, was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving without a permit. According to court documents, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers found him and his co-defendant, Elizabeth Benson, in a vehicle that was reported stolen by the state of Virginia. When officers searched the vehicle, they found cocaine and drug paraphernalia.

Judge Michael O’Keefe issued a bench warrant for Musgrove’s arrest, saying the bench warrant was issued in order to get back in contact with him.

On April 5, Musgrove was released and ordered to verify his address with the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA). He was also required to report to the agency weekly. However, during the hearing, a PSA representative said the defendant has not yet verified his address or reported by telephone.

Musgrove is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 21 to discuss the status of his case.