Judge Denies Defendant's Release Two Months Before Sentencing

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A judge denied April 17 a defendant’s motion for release despite COVID-19 pandemic concerns.

Dale Southerland, 31, pleaded guilty on March 4, 2019. He pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction of less than a year, possession of an unregistered firearm, unlawful possession of a firearm or destructive device and unlawful possession of ammunition.

Southerland’s defense attorney, Bryan Bookhard, filed for release on April 8, saying that if Southerland was released he would wear a GPS monitor and be ordered to home confinement.

DC Superior Court Judge Josey-Herring denied the defense’s motion without prejudice. The prosecutor and Bookhard were present via phone.

Southerland was released to a halfway house on August 2, 2019. While awaiting halfway house placement, he was allowed to be released for employment or schooling on his assigned work or school days from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Since Feb. 21, he has remained in the custody of DC Jail due to a positive marijuana drug test.

Southerland’s sentencing is scheduled to occur on June 5.

Judge Denies Defendant’s Release Two Months Before Sentencing