Judge Releases Domestic Violence Defendant on Time Served

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A DC Superior Court judge released a felony domestic violence defendant after he accepted a global plea offer.

Shaqques Johnson was originally charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and armed kidnapping for barricading a person in an apartment with an axe. He pleaded down to a charge of attempted assault with a dangerous weapon and was sentenced to 15 months, all but five of which were suspended. He was also sentenced to 15 days for simple assault and 30 days for assault on a police officer in two misdemeanor cases.

Because he spent about seven months at DC Jail as a pretrial detainee and is receiving credit for time served, Johnson has already completed his sentence.

During the March 30 sentencing hearing, the prosecution acknowledged Johnson’s mental health and alcohol abuse issues. However, the prosecution is concerned that he is a flight risk and danger to the community due to his prior criminal history.

The prosecution also said they do not feel Johnson can be trusted to engage in treatment programs and felt a longer period of incarceration would be appropriate, along with treatment recommended by the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA.).

Johnson’s defense attorney, Teresa Kleiman, said Johnson has accepted blame multiple times and has been sober for the seven months he has spent incarcerated. She also said the victim had called her three times of their own volition to express that they wanted Johnson to receive treatment and were not pushing for incarceration.

Judge Juliet McKenna said she does not believe that ordering Johnson to serve more time would be beneficial. She did issue a stay away/no contact order.

Judge McKenna also denied the defense’s request to sentence Johnson under the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA), which would have effectively sealed his case after he completes his requirements.

Conditions of Johnson’s probation include: completion of a mental health evaluation and following through with any treatment, enrollment and completion of an anger management course as recommended. Johnson also should undergo alcohol and drug testing as recommended by CSOSA.

As part of the global plea offer, one of Johnson’s misdemeanor cases was dismissed.