Judge Finds Probable Cause for Child Sexual Abuse Case, Holds Defendant

By D.C. Witness Staff - August 31, 2020
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

A DC Superior Court judge ruled that a sex abuse case has enough evidence to go to trial. The defendant will remain held at the DC Jail. 

The defendant is charged with three counts of sexual abuse on minors in connection with an incident that occurred at the Gallery Place Chinatown Metro Station on July 6. According to court documents, the defendant, 23, approached three minors and exposed himself while making indecent remarks to them. He allegedly touched one of the victims above the genital area. Before the victims managed to get away as the train approached, the defendant allegedly slapped their buttocks and one of the victim’s breasts. 

Using footage from Gallery Place Metro Station, DC Metro Transit Police officer identified the three victims and the defendant during the hearing. 

The witness said he was close to L’Enfant plaza when he learned about the complaint while looking into another sexual abuse complaint involving an adult woman who was groped on an escalator.

The witness said the defendant was detained for both complaints. 

During cross-examination, the witness told defense attorney Stephany Reaves that the description of the suspect came directly from a dispatcher and not from the victims themselves. 

The witness said he never talked to the victims. All information given to him was by other officers. 

Judge Todd Edelman decided to hold Morgan because of his criminal history. Morgan is on probation for a 2017 case that includes charges for indecent sexual proposals to a minor, lewd or obscene acts and assault. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has also caused Morgan to not meet his probation officer and not start sexual harassment training.

Reaves argued that while the allegations are serious, it doesn’t involve any weapons or threats.

Reaves said Morgan has potential as he was enrolled in a GED program with Youthbuild. She asked for Morgan to be released and put on GPS monitoring so he can get the rehabilitation that he needs.

However, Judge Edelman stuck with his original decision to hold Morgan.  

“The defendant’s release would pose a danger to the community,” he said. “The facts of this case involving sexual touching of children is concerning. Even more concerning is that this occurs while Mr. Morgan is under court supervision for a similar case.”

Judge Edelman scheduled a felony status conference for Nov. 13 to decide how to move forward with the case.