A shooting defendant accepted a plea deal extended by prosecutors before DC Superior Court Judge Carmen McLean on July 1, and allowed him to remain on release pending sentencing.
McKinley McClain, 19, was originally charged with assault with intent to commit robbery while armed for his involvement in a non-fatal shooting and attempted armed robbery on Dec. 30, 2025, in the 1600 block of W Street, SE.
According to charging documents, prosecutors alleged multiple armed suspects assaulted the victim while he attempted to purchase shoes arranged through Instagram, also striking him in the head with a firearm, attempting to steal his property, and firing a shot as the victim fled the scene.
During the hearing, McClain accepted a plea agreement from the prosecution, which required him to plead guilty to assault with intent to commit robbery. Although the offense carries a statutory maximum of 15 years, the parties agreed that the appropriate sentencing range is 24-to-39 months in prison.
Before accepting the plea agreement, Judge McLean addressed concerns about McClain’s conduct while on pretrial release. According to the prosecution, McClain’s GPS monitor had stopped transmitting before turning back on later that night. The judge also noted that McClain missed a week of reporting to his case manager at the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) and violated his curfew twice.
McClain’s attorney, Darryl Daniels, argued that McClain reported both curfew violations himself and had addressed them, but said PSA failed to include those details in its report. The prosecutor requested a step bac, meaning a return to jail, citing the multiple violations of release conditions were concerning.
Although the evidence favored detention prior to sentencing, Judge McLean ultimately agreed that McClain is not a threat to his community and allowed him to remain on release.
Judge McLean made it clear that McClain’s conduct must improve by charging his GPS monitor and meeting his strict curfew. If not, she will have no choice but to factor that into her sentencing decision.
Parties are set to reconvene for sentencing on Sept. 18.
