Judge Holds 7 Defendants During Initial Hearings

By D.C. Witness Staff - September 15, 2020
Featured | Homicides | Suspects |

On Sept. 14, Judge Heide Herrmann released 28 defendants and held seven defendants in DC Jail during initial hearings.

James Lindsay, 19, is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction. On Sept. 12, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers saw a firearm laying on the seat of a car Lindsay was driving. and A second firearm was discovered when officers searched the vehicle that was listed as being stolen from Maryland. Judge Herrman held Lindsay since he is currently on probation for another firearm offense. 

Isai Santos-Hernandez, 36, is charged with robbery and was held. The victim reported that Hernandez allegedly punched him several times in the stomach and then threatened to stab him before taking his wallet. Judge Herrmann held the defendant since this new charge occurred while Hernandez was on release for a separate charge of second-degree burglary. 

Antone Ruffin, 62, charged with attempted threats to do bodily harm, was held. Ruffin allegedly threatened the victim, holding up his fists, saying, “I will f*** you up, you can’t whoop me.” Judge Herrmann decided to hold Ruffin, citing old cases that Ruffin is still on parole for from 1980 and 2000.

Khristian Champ, 21, charged with being a fugitive from justice and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction, was also held. Judge Herrmann released Champ in his fugitive case, where he is wanted in Maryland for stealing a vehicle but held him in his firearm case, citing his previous gun conviction, which he pleaded guilty to in February. 

One defendant, charged with simple assault in a domestic violence case, was also held. Judge Herrmann released the defendant in his domestic violence case, but he was held on a fugitive case where he is being arraigned in District Court for an escape charge in another jurisdiction.

Taff Jones, 65, charged with distribution of a controlled substance, which was heroin, was held on a parole warrant. Judge Herrmann released him in his drug case but held him on the parole matter.

Mark Harris, 33, was brought in on three cases. He had a bench warrant for failing to appear at his hearing, and he was charged in two new cases for second-degree theft and distribution of a controlled substance. Though Judge Herrmann released him on his new cases and his bench warrant, he was also held on a parole warrant.

Of the defendants who were released, two did not have charges filed against them by the prosecution.

Six defendants charged in domestic violence cases were released. Judge Herrmann gave five of the defendants stay-away orders and one defendant a no harassment, assaultive, threatening or stalking (HATS) order from the alleged victims.

Judge Herrmann released five defendants charged with being fugitives from justice. All of the defendants are wanted in Maryland for various crimes involving larceny, robbery, vehicular theft and assault. The judge ordered the defendants to turn themselves in to Maryland authorities as soon as possible.

Six defendants, charged with sexual abuse, simple assault, attempted second-degree cruelty to children, Baltimore violations, threats to do bodily harm, possession of a prohibited weapon (BB gun) and lewd, indecent or obscene acts, were released. All but one of the defendants were given stay-away orders from the alleged victims.

Four co-defendants are all charged with carrying a pistol without a license outside of a home or business. Judge Herrmann released all of them with orders not to possess any firearms or ammunition and gave three stay-away orders.

Four final defendants, charged with felonies, were released various release conditions.