Defendant Sentenced for Felony Gun Offense

By D.C. Witness Staff - August 18, 2020
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects |

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a defendant for carrying a pistol without a license.

Judge Robert Salerno sentenced Levite Lagarde to six months, all of which were suspended, plus two years of probation.

“He really has turned a chapter with his life,” defense attorney Stephen Brennwald said. “…I think he’s grown up a lot.” 

In passing the sentence, Judge Salerno took into consideration how Lagarde has many arrests, but few convictions. 

“You’re either a very lucky person or a very unlucky person,” he told the defendant.

Lagarde expressed his desire to make changes in his life during the Aug. 18 hearing. 

“I was just hanging around the wrong people…my mind just wasn’t right,” he said.

Lagarde spoke about his interest in working construction; however, due to epilepsy, he cannot operate certain machinery.

As a condition of his probation, the defendant must obtain and maintain employment or get assistance in a vocational program.

Lagarde must also complete 30 hours of community service, register as a gun offender and pay $100 to the Victim of Violence Crime Compensation fund.