Judge Gives Defendant One More Time to Comply

By D.C. Witness Staff - July 8, 2020
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Probation | Suspects |

A DC Superior Court judge allowed a defendant, who is on probation for different cases to remain released, saying she would give him another chance to comply with his release requirements.

Maurice Douglas pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge for sex abuse. He was sentenced to 90 days, in which 75 days of that time was suspended. After finishing his sentence, he was released on 18 months of supervised probation. 

On Dec. 7, 2019, Douglas was charged with attempted threats to do bodily harm. He is currently released under the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP).

Representatives from the Pretrial Services Agency and the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) recommended that Douglas’ release be revoked. Both agencies cited a loss of contact in the past few months, along with 11 violations of Douglas’ stay away order from the place of the incident.

The PSA representative also said there are reports of multiple occasions in which Douglas failed to charge his GPS monitoring device. The representative said the agency did not know where Douglas was located during the times.

The prosecution also said Douglas accumulated new allegations of involvement in a child trafficking ring, although he is not facing charges at this time. The prosecution requested that, if allowed to remain released, Douglas be required to participate in sex offender treatment as well.

Judge Maribeth Raffinan denied the prosecution’s request, citing how the allegations have not resulted in new charges.

Sharon Weathers and Rebecca Bloch, Douglas’ defense counsel, said that their client has been unable to get in contact with his probation officer and his HISP officer because he is homeless.

They also said Douglas has violated the stay away order so many times because the boundaries of the order encompass his aunt’s house and a bus route he frequents.

Judge Raffnan admonished Douglas to come into compliance with the requirements of his probation and pretrial release. She cited his lengthy criminal record for being only 26-years-old and said he would be held at DC Jail if other requirements are violated.

Douglas is scheduled for a hearing on both matters on Sept. 2.