Judge Find Probable Cause for Robbery Not Sex Abuse

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On Oct. 27, a DC Superior Court judge presided over a hearing to determine if a defendant charged with first-degree sexual abuse and robbery has enough evidence to go to trial.

The 30-year-old defendant is accused of  stealing two dollars and a phone from a victim on Sept. 16 at an inn on the 800 block of New Hampshire Avenue, NW. He was also accused of sexually assaulting the victim.

Judge Danya Dayson ruled that the robbery charge has probable cause, but the sex abuse charge does not. 

A Metropolitan Police Department detective told Judge Dayson that the victim listed her phone number on her profile on an unknown app. The app is purportedly used for exchanging sexual services for money.

The defendant reached out to her via the app and the victim agreed to “hang out” with him for $300, the detective said.  

The detective also said the woman did not specify what “hang out” meant during an interview with police. He said it is unclear whether or not the victim was planning on having sexual relations with the defendant in exchange for money or not.   

The defendant is currently being held at the DC Jail. His next hearing is scheduled for March 25, 2021.

This article was written by Yasmeen McGettrick.