Judge Holds Sex Abuse Defendant During Initial Hearings

By D.C. Witness Staff - May 4, 2021
Court | Featured | Homicides | Suspects |

On May 3, a DC Superior Court judge held a defendant charged with sex abuse. 

In total, there were 28 cases presented before the court with an additional defendant who was in the hospital, so their case could not be heard. 

The defendant that was held is charged with second-degree child sex abuse and simple assault. A victim in this case, who is 12 years old, reported that the defendant went into a room with her and sexually abused her. The other victim, an 11-year-old girl, reported that the defendant also went into a room with her and started pulling on her shirt. 

The defense attorney in this case requested for the defendant to be released under the High-Intensity Supervision Program (HISP), so the defendant could continue to participate in group counseling and therapy, which were ordered by the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA). 

Judge Sean Staples denied the defense attorney’s request considering the defendant’s criminal history which includes crimes of violence. The defendant also has other previous sexual offenses. 

The defendant has a felony status conference scheduled for May 24. 

Two additional defendants are charged with sex abuse. Judge Staples released these defendants and issued stay-away orders as a condition of release. One of the defendants was ordered to call the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) once a week.

These defendants are scheduled to return to court on Nov. 8.

Four domestic violence cases were presented before the court.

One of those defendants is charged with simple assault. The prosecution requested that the defendant be held because he has various pending cases, including three other domestic violence cases. 

Judge Staples released this defendant because the defendant has been reporting to PSA for his pending cases. Additionally, the victim in this case is not a victim from a prior case.

Judge Staples issued a stay-away order and informed the defendant that he must comply with the conditions of release imposed by PSA, including a mental health assessment. 

A status hearing is scheduled for May 26. 

The other three defendants charged in domestic violence cases were also released with stay-away orders. Their charges include simple assault and attempted threats to do bodily harm.

All three are scheduled to return to court on Nov. 8.