Co-Defendants Plead Guilty in 2022 Assault Case

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On June 15, DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan heard two co-defendants in a 2022 case plead guilty to aggravated assault and possession of a firearm.

Jinmar Fuentes, 22, and Martel Howard, 23, allegedly assaulted two brothers on July 31, 2022 on the 2000 block of 14th Street, NW in a robbery attempt.

According to court documents, Fuentes approached one of the brothers with a loaded firearm. The second brother saw the threat and pulled his own firearm in an attempt to help his brother. Howard followed from behind, and both Fuentes and Howard allegedly shot at the second brother who was seriously injured by gunfire..

He was transported to George Washington University Hospital for his wounds and received multiple blood transfusions.

The defendants agreed to plead guilty to one count of aggravated assault and one count of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. Defense Attorney Terrence Austin asked if his client, Martel Howard, could have a later sentencing hearing date so he could finish his GED.

Judge Raffinan set separate sentencing dates for the defendants whose crimes could keep the pair behind bars for fifteen years or longer.

Jinmar Fuentes is expected back in court Oct. 13.

Martel Howard is expected back in court March 8, 2024.

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