A stabbing and robbery defendant was sentenced during a hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan on July 27.
Rodney Bennett, 20, pleaded guilty on March 23 to assault with a dangerous weapon for his involvement in a non-fatal stabbing on Nov. 10, 2025 at the DC Jail, on the 1900 block of D Street, SE. The victim sustained two stab wounds.
In a separate case, Bennett pleaded guilty to robbery and armed robbery for his involvement in two robberies, one that occurred on Aug. 28, 2024, on the 1300 block of Neal Place, NE. The second occurred on Aug. 29, 2024, on the 1900 block of 8th Street, NW.
The plea deal dismissed 55 of Bennett’s original charges and carried a total sentence range of seven-to-10 years in prison for both cases, subject to Judge Ryan’s approval.
At sentencing, Judge Ryan reiterated the facts in the cases. According to prosecutors, Bennett approached a victim on Aug. 28, 2024 pointed a firearm at him, took his wallet, and fled. A few hours later, on Aug. 29, he pointed a firearm towards two additional victims and took a watch and cash. In his other case, on Nov. 10, 2025, Bennett stabbed the victim repeatedly with a sharp object.
Judge Ryan highlighted that Bennett was formerly charged with carrying a pistol without a license in May 2024 and was sentenced in October 2024. He also established that Bennett is eligible for the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA), which allows defendants who commit a crime under the age of 25 to receive sentencing flexibility and the opportunity to have their records sealed upon successful completion of their sentence.
Prosecutors requested 10 total years of imprisonment and opposed the YRA, highlighting the “seriousness of the offenses.” They argued that Bennett committed two armed robberies “in the course of one hour,” with “planned and deliberate” actions. At the time of the robbery, Bennett was on release and GPS monitoring for his carrying a pistol without a license charge.
Prosecutors alleged that “the threat of confinement is not stopping” Bennett, as he committed the stabbing while he was in jail.
Bennett’s attorney, Wole Falodun, requested five years for Bennett’s robbery case, with a consecutive two years for his stabbing case. He acknowledged that “these are very serious charges,” but highlighted that Bennett has “accepted responsibility” and “has strong family support.” Falodun characterized Bennett as “intelligent, warm, kind, [and] respectful.”
Falodun also requested that the court impose the YRA.
Bennett acknowledged his responsibility, saying, “I’ve made mistakes.”
Judge Ryan agreed with implementing the YRA, highlighting that it gives Bennett “something to aim for as a goal.” He sentenced Bennett to seven total years in prison for his robbery charges, as well as two consecutive years for his assault charge.
Bennett will serve a total nine years in prison. Upon his release, Bennett will serve five years of supervised release.
No further dates were set.
