‘I Am Not a Violent Person,’ Says Shooting Defendant at Sentencing Hearing

By Natalie Note - September 23, 2024
Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Suspects |

DC Superior Court Judge Heidi Pasichow sentenced a shooting defendant to 51 months of imprisonment with three years supervised release on Sept. 20. 

Anthony Moten, 38, was convicted of aggravated assault with a dangerous weapon and carrying a pistol without a license for his involvement in the non-fatal shooting of one victim in the stomach on April 12 at the 1600 block of 17th Street, SE. 

At the hearing, the protection asked for Moten to be sentenced to 72 months, citing the seriousness of the offense. The prosecution raised concerns about Moten’s prior history of assaultive conduct and a prior misdemeanor for carrying a pistol without a license.  They also noted that Moten has failed to comply with the terms of probation in the past. 

The prosecution also shared a written statement from the victim who could not be present in court because the person is currently being held in jail facing felony charges. 

“What he did still makes me scared to go outside with my daughter,” read the statement.

Camille Wagner, Moten’s attorney, said that Moten was acting in self defense and that the prosecution’s request for the highest range was not a just sentence. She said her client has a son who needs his father and that Moten is motivated to do better. Wagner asked for a 39 month sentence. 

Moten also provided a statement and told the court that he wanted to let the victim’s family know he is sorry and he wants to make things right. 

“I am not a violent person, I don’t believe in violence or harming people,” Moten said. 

Before imposing the sentence, Judge Pasichow said when looking at Moten’s history, she began seeing patterns of assaultive conduct beginning 14-years-ago. She said she thought there must be something else going on because shooting is “a little bit” beyond what is tolerable. 

Judge Pasichow noted that Moten had previously indicated that he was not involved with drugs but was positive for PCP at the time of his arrest. She said that Moten’s denial was a “patent lie” and that his disinterest in preventing another incident was unacceptable. 

Judge Pasichow sentenced Moten to a 51 months in prison with three years of supervised release. He is required to pay 200 dollars to the Victims of Violent Crime Fund, register as a gun offender upon release, and complete an outpatient substance abuse program. Moten must also submit to regular drug and alcohol testing and seek as well as gain lawful employment. 

No further dates were set.