Child Sex Abuse Defendant Given a Warning for Failing to Meet His Release Conditions 

By Caroline Sagristano [former] , Jenna Ferrick [former] - February 24, 2023
Court | Juveniles | Sex Abuse | Sexual Assault |

A child sexual abuse defendant was given a warning for failing to meet release conditions by DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo during a felony status hearing on Feb. 24.

The defendant is currently facing one charge of second-degree child sex abuse due to an incident on Aug. 18, 2022. The incident occurred on the 1800 block of Anacostia Road, SE. The defendant has been accused of groping and exposing himself to two minors in a shower at a public pool. 

The defendant is currently released on personal recognizance and is being monitored by pretrial services.

A pretrial services representative stated that the defendant failed to meet compliance requirements on Feb. 12 when he did not complete a weekly phone call to check in with an officer. Based on court documents, this is the only case of noncompliance.

During the hearing, the defendant said he had lost his phone on Feb. 11 and was unable to make a call. 

Judge Demeo warned the defendant that regardless of personal situations, the phone call must be completed to maintain his release condition. 

Court documents state that the defendant allegedly caressed one of the boys’ backs and placed his hand beneath his underwear. The defendant then exposed his genitals and started rubbing that area in front of both minors.

The defendant previously rejected a plea offer in October 2022, leading the prosecution to have “exhausted” any circumstances of the case not going to trial. As of Friday, no trial date has been set.

The next hearing is a felony status conference scheduled for April 24, which the prosecution said would likely be converted to an arraignment.