Judge Issues 4 Bench Warrants in Pretrial and Probation Hearings

By D.C. Witness Staff - September 3, 2020
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Probation | stabbing | Suspects | Victims |

A DC Superior Court judge continued court proceedings and issued bench warrants during probation and pretrial hearings. 

Judge Michael O’Keefe detained a second-degree murder while armed suspect who had been on pretrial release since Febuary, stepping him back on his arrest warrant. Tristian Cole is accused of fatally stabbing 24-year-old Joel David Midgett on the 200 block of K Street, NW in Oct.16, 2015. 

While there was some confusion about the bench warrant at first, the bench warrant was brought to the attention of the judge by the prosecution. The bench warrant is for an assault that happened in January. However, the warrant wasn’t issued until May, three months after her release. 

Cole, 29, was in compliance with the GPS monitoring until July when she moved out of the residence she had registered with the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA.). According to the PSA, Cole has failed to report weekly.

Judge O’Keefe scheduled Cole’s show cause for Sept. 4. Meanwhile, Cole and her attorney can figure out her bench warrant situation. 

Judge O’Keefe issued a bench warrant for a defendant who did not show up to his hearing.

Rakeem Gilgeours has not been in contact with the PSA since Aug. 12. When contacted by his phone was out of service. Gilgeours, 29, is charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of marijuana and fleeing a law enforcement officer.

Co-defendants Jose Ruiz Martinez and Edgar Valasques were also not present in court for their hearing. They are both charged with second-degree burglary for allegedly stealing from an ACE Hardware store on the 1200 block Upshut Street, NW on June 17. 

Valasques, 32, has come in contact with PSA but had an issue due to a language barrier. Judge O’Keefe has allowed time for Valasques to figure out what he has to do with PSA since he has already made an attempt to.

Ruiz-Martinez, 45, has had no contact with the PSA since being released on June 10. Judge O’Keefe issued a bench warrant since no one has heard from him. 

Odonna Daniels’ probation show cause hearing was vacated and rescheduled for Sept. 30. Daniels, 32, is on probation for two counts of simple assault from 2018 and a bail violation from 2019. 

Judge O’Keefe issued a bench warrant for a defendant charged with possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device after he failed to appear in court. 

Amari Johnson picked up the charges after the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) found the device while conducting a search warrant of his room on Dec. 15, 2019. A shooting occurred at the defendant’s house in Southeast, DC on Dec. 14, 2019.

According to the PSA, Johnson, 20, has been violating his home confinement since February and hasn’t been in contact since May. Judge O’Keefe issued a bench warrant because of the severity of the original charge.

Judge O’Keefe discharged a show cause for an assault and firearm possession defendant.

A defendant is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon while armed, possession of a  firearm during a crime of violence and unlawful possession of a firearm in a domestic violence case.

According to the PSA, the defendant has been in compliance and has reported by telephone monthly since March. Judge O’Keefe advised Jenkins to keep doing what he is doing. 

Judge O’Keefe issued another bench warrant for a drug and firearm possession defendant after he failed to show up to court.

Ricky Dyson was charged with possession with intent to distribute PCP while armed, unlawful possession of liquid PCP, possession of cocaine, possession of a firearm during a violent crime, carrying a pistol without a license, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, and possession of an unregistered firearm in 2015.

Dyson, 40, failed to appear at his probation show cause hearing on Sept. 2 and has not been in contact with his newly appointed attorney, Bryan Bookhard. Bookhard said he’s been unable to reach his client by phone.

Judge O’Keefe continued a defendant’s case so a potential plea agreement can be finalized. 

Dave Hawkins is charged with robbery, first-degree theft, and unauthorized use of a vehicle. 

According to the PSA services, Hawkins has not been reporting on a regular basis. The defense argued that Hawkins sometimes forgets to call during business hours and that he has mental health issues. Hawkins has been in contact with a social worker that will get him connected to services that will help his issues. 

“I’m schizophrenic, it’s hard to talk to people,” says Hawkins.

Judge O’Keefe scheduled the next show cause for Nov. 19, the same day as Hawkins’ co-defendant, in order for a potential plea agreement to be finalized. 

Finally, Judge O’Keefe continued an assault defendant’s case while she receives inpatient care for 28 days. 

Sonya Champ is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon. Champ, 39, allegedly swung a knife at a person after trying to steal a pack of beer from a store on Feb. 1.

Judge O’Keefe scheduled Champ’s next hearing for Oct. 6.