Judge Grants Carjacking Co-Defendant’s Request to Remove GPS Monitor

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DC Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur granted a carjacking co-defendant’s request to remove his GPS monitor on Feb. 21. 

Ion Cooper, 20, Javard Harris, 23, and Omari Dantignac, 19, are charged with armed carjacking and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for their alleged involvement in two carjacking incidents on Dec. 1, 2023 on the 1700 Block of Bay Street, SE and the 900 Block of 3rd Street, SE. 

Dantignac’s defense attorney, Molly Bunke, requested a modification of his release conditions, specifically the removal of GPS monitoring. She argued that Dantignac has been in perfect compliance with his release conditions for over a year, and she doesn’t believe that the GPS monitor is necessary. 

Bunke noted that Dantignac is enrolled in college and works more than 40 hours a week. She also emphasized that Dantignac’s employer took the initiative to write and provide a letter speaking to Dantignac’s strong work ethic.

The prosecution dissented saying that they had already recently removed the release condition of curfew. They argued that the GPS monitor is necessary because he is being investigated for two instances of carjacking, during which he allegedly was the driver and helped Cooper and Harris flee. The prosecution added that the GPS monitor is not preventing Dantignac from going to school and work. 

Judge Arthur granted the defense’s request to lift GPS monitoring but emphasized that Dantignac needs to be in perfect compliance with the remaining release conditions. He warned Dantignac that if there are any missteps, GPS monitoring, curfew, and home confinement could potentially be reimposed. 

Parties are slated to reconvene on March 28.