Defendant Receives 16-Month Sentence

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A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a defendant to one year and four months in prison and three years of supervised release after pleaded guilty in a domestic violence case.

Terrance Hines pleaded guilty Jan. 22 to unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction. He allegedly grabbed his ex-wife’s hair in front of one of their twin boys. He then left and returned with a firearm.

DC Superior Court Judge Judith Smith also requested that Hines receive vocational training, a life skills course and counseling while incarcerated.

Hines will also be required to get a job, participate in a domestic violence intervention program, take a mental health assessment and receive treatment when he is released.

Hines, 42, must also register as a gun offender and pay a $100 to the Victims of Violent Crime Act fund.

His ex-wife has since passed away. Prior to her passing, the prosecution was uncertain if she would make a statement because she was afraid of her ex-husband.

According to Hines’ defense attorney, Sara Kopecki, he cares deeply about his family but needs to reroute his response when handling difficult situations.

“I’m just trying to get back out there and get with my kids,” Hines said. “I don’t even know how they’re eating right now.”

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