DC Superior Court Judge Robert Hildum found probable cause in a kidnapping case involving a man and his girlfriend on March 5. The judge denied the defendant’s pre-trial release.
Walter Romero-Ventura, 31, is charged with kidnapping while armed and assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in the abduction and stabbing of his girlfriend on May 6, 2024, on the 1300 block of 15th Street NW.
The prosecutors extended a plea offer which would require Romero-Ventura to plead guilty to kidnapping in exchange for the prosecution dismissing the assault charge and not seeking an indictment. He rejected the offer.
According to court documents, after the complainant got off work, Romero-Ventura showed up, grabbed her by the arm and neck and shoved her into his car in which he proceeded to stab her with a box cutter.
During the hearing defense attorney, Henry Escoto, argued that the video footage showed Romero-Ventura pulling the complainant towards him and guiding her to his car without using force. The defense also argued that the defendant drove to CVS and went inside without her and yet she did not attempt to flee or call the police.
The prosecution countered, highlighting the fact that the video footage showed the defendant interrupting the complainant’s path and forcefully leading her to the car, where the stabbing allegedly occurred.
The prosecutor also brought up the fact that the day after the assault, the victim’s coworkers noticed her injuries and asked what had happened. The complainant claimed that Romero-Ventura instructed her to tell anyone who asked about her injuries that she had been attacked on the metro.
Escoto requested Romero-Ventura’s release, noting that he had no prior criminal history, and was willing to comply with any release conditions set by the court.
The prosecution opposed release, arguing that no conditions could ensure the safety of the community. The prosecutor pointed to serious allegations against the defendant, including, previous use of a bat against the victim, threats to burn her clothes, threats to kill her and harm her children, as well as an ongoing case in Maryland involving the same victim, which allegedly involved a gun.
Parties are set to reconvene on April 7.
