Armed Carjacking, Shooting Defendant Accepts Plea Agreement, Denied Release

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An armed carjacking and shooting defendant accepted a plea agreement extended by the prosecution before DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe on Oct. 16.

Kevin Settles, 37, was originally charged with armed carjacking, four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, assault on a police officer while armed, attempted unarmed carjacking, unlawful possession of a firearm by a convict, carrying a pistol without a license outside of his home or business, unlawful discharge of a firearm, possession of a unregistered firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition.

These charges stem from his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting and armed carjacking on the 3000 block of B Street, SE and another non-fatal shooting where he allegedly shot at the police on the 100 block of Ridge Road, SE. Both incidents occurred on Feb. 23, 2021.

According to court documents, Settles was in the passenger seat of his girlfriend’s vehicle when he “became irate” and pointed a gun at her head, forcing her to get out of the car. When she exited the vehicle and hid behind a parked car, Settles sat in the driver’s seat and then a short time later exited the vehicle and ran down the street, firing the gun into the air.

Two Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers were attending to a medical emergency on a Metro Bus on B Street when they heard shots being fired and observed Settles running toward them, according to court documents. Settles allegedly fired at the officers who returned gunfire. He then entered the drivers side of a parked MPD Truancy Van and had to be physically removed by the officers.

At the hearing, Settles accepted the prosecution’s plea agreement and pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and assault on a police officer while armed, in exchange for a dismissal of all other charges.

Brian McDaniel, Settles’ defense attorney, said Settles had been contemplating this agreement for a while and this was a “long time coming.”

Through the deal, the prosecution agreed to not ask for more than ten years imprisonment for Settles at sentencing. Judge Pipe found factual basis for the plea offer and accepted Settles’ plea of guilty.

McDaniel then addressed his motion for Settles to be released from DC Jail while he awaits sentencing. McDaniel argued that the incident was a result of mental health struggles, and Settles is now taking medication and participating in programs which should prevent another crime from occurring.

McDaniel said Settles has a sick mother who he would like to spend time with and a four-year-old child that he would like to see.

Judge Pipe said there is no evidence that Settles will be compliant with mental health medication and programs if he was released into the community. Judge Pipe also said the facts of the case were “extremely concerning.”

Judge Pipe denied the defense’s request for Settles to be released prior to his sentencing.

The parties are slated to reconvene on Feb. 7.