Judge Gives Defendant with Multiple Curfew Violations More Time to Comply

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On Aug. 10, a DC Superior Court judge gave a defendant more time to come into compliance when he appeared in court as a result of a bench warrant.

Rodrigues Key, 29, currently has seven cases open. He was most recently charged with second-degree theft and unlawful entry for allegedly stealing an energy drink from an establishment on the 2000 block of Benning Road, NE from which he was barred.

A Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) representative said Key was previously on home confinement, but his conditions were modified to just a curfew on March 10. On the same day, Key violated his curfew and was put back on home confinement.

Key allegedly violated his curfew 28 times beginning on the day he was released from home confinement leading up until July 4, at which point he failed to charge his GPS tracking device.

He had not reported to PSA in person since March 25.

Judge Michael O’Keefe issued a bench warrant for Key’s arrest. However, after he did so, Key arrived at his hearing. The defendant said he had been taking care of a relative since his release.

Defense attorney Sean Murphy said he was concerned about Key’s health issues if he is held again. He also said that most of Key’s crimes were petty crimes.

Judge O’Keefe decided to give the defendant time to come back into compliance.

Key is expected to return to court on Sept. 10 to evaluate his compliance.