Judge Holds 6, Releases 23 Defendants During Initial Hearings

By D.C. Witness Staff - October 22, 2020
Featured | Homicides | Suspects |

During initial hearings on Oct. 22, DC Superior Court Judge Sean Staples released 23 defendants and held six defendants in DC Jail.

Jamar Turner is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, assault with intent to commit any other offense while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and assault with intent to kill while armed. Davon Pratt is also being charged, along with Turner, for a drive-by shooting in the Trinidad neighborhood in Northeast, DC.

Both Turner, 18, and Pratt, 22, are suspected of assaulting a victim while armed on June 12 in association with multiple drive-by shootings. They are being held due to the violent nature of the crime. According to court documents, police are also investigating other suspects.

Pratt is also being held for charges of robbery, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction.

The robbery took place on March 10, when two victims contacted Pratt about purchasing a vehicle Pratt had listed for sale. When the victims met up with Pratt on the 2400 block of E Street, NE to complete the sale, Pratt and three other suspects robbed the victims at gunpoint. MPD was able to track Pratt’s location through his phone and arrested him on March 18.    

The defendant was released on home confinement for another case, in which he is charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and leaving after colliding. Pratt’s arraignment for that case is scheduled to happen in March of 2021. The prosecution requested he be held in that case, but Judge Staples denied the request.

Pratt was also on probation in four other cases: two from 2018 and two from 2016. Judge Staples granted the prosecution’s request to hold him in those cases as well.

Herman Johnson, 40, was arrested on Oct. 21 after Johnson was seen by undercover Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers giving an unknown substance to another person in exchange for money. The individuals were immediately apprehended and the substance tested positive for cocaine.

Johnson was charged with a felony for possessing a controlled substance with intent to distribute. Upon arrest, it was discovered that Johnson had initially used a fake name and had an outstanding warrant for the distribution of heroin. Herman is being held due to a bench warrant that was issued in a separate case.  

James Demyers was arrested for an incident that occurred on Sept. 29. On that day, MPD officers were dispatched to the unit block of Florida Avenue, NE, for the report of a robbery. The manager of the store said Demyers, 30, removed an undetermined amount of money from the register. Demyers’ description was recognized by police officers and they responded to a sighting of him on Oct. 21 when he was arrested and charged with robbery.

Judge Staples held Demyers due to his extensive history and his failure to comply with release conditions. He is also a fugitive from Maryland in a different case and will be available for pickup by Maryland authorities.        

Tavon Jackson is a fugitive of justice from the state of Maryland with an underlying charge of arson. He is being held for three days in order for Maryland authorities to pick him up due to the nature of his crime.

A defendant is being held in a domestic violence case with underlying charges of destruction of property less than $1,000 and simple assault. He is being held due to the violent nature of his charge and previous criminal history. 

There were nine other misdemeanor charges that were heard by Judge Staples, including unlawful entry, contempt, sex abuse, possession of a controlled substance, and failing to register as a gun offender. Of those individuals, all were released and two were given stay away orders.

There were ten felony case defendants who were released. Charges included unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction, carrying a pistol without a license outside of a home or business, possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute, threats to do bodily harm, threats to kidnap or injure a person, possession of liquid PCP, assault with a dangerous weapon and assault on a police officer.  Judge Staples issued stay away orders to three defendants. 

There were four other domestic violence cases for charges including simple assault and threats to do bodily harm. All of the defendants were released with stay away orders.   

This article was written by Abigail Grifno. Maria Marzullo contributed to the piece.