Judge Holds 10 Defendants During Initial Hearings

By D.C. Witness Staff - December 3, 2020
Featured | Homicides | Suspects |

A DC Superior Court Judge held 10 defendants, releasing 15 during initial hearings on Dec. 2. 

Lester Rowland is charged with attempted threats to do bodily harm, attempted possession of a prohibited weapon, disorderly conduct and simple assault. 

On Dec. 1, Rowland, 34, allegedly threatened a victim with a knife and attempted to assault him at a Starbucks on the 3300 block of M Street, NW. Rowland’s defense attorney, Elizabeth Weller, asked that he be released under the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP). 

Judge Errol Arthur denied her request and held Rowland until his next hearing, which is scheduled for Dec. 22. 

Andre Dubose is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon. According to court documents, Dubose, 30, allegedly assaulted two victims with a metal pole from a bed frame.  

Due to the seriousness of the crime, Judge Arthur held Dubose. The defendant’s next court date, which is scheduled for Dec. 23. 

Judge Arthur also held Keith London, who is charged with possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.

On the evening of Nov. 8, London, 40, was allegedly involved in a shooting that occurred on the 100 block of P Street, SW. One victim was injured during the shooting but only suffered minor injuries. The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) was able to identify London as their suspect with the help of eyewitness accounts and surveillance footage. When London was arrested, he was allegedly found with heroin as well as prescription drugs, including a drug used to treat opioid addiction.  

Terrence Stroman is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for allegedly shooting at a victim outside a Safeway on the 300 block of 40th Street, NE. The offense occurred on the evening of Dec. 1. Stroman, 41, attempted to escape but was detained by two witnesses who saw what had happened. 

Stroman is currently being held at DC jail until his next court hearing. 

Among those held was Anthony Hargrove, who is charged with assault to commit robbery while armed. 

On Dec. 1, Hargrove, 37, along with another suspect, walked into a building located on the 1100 block of Massachusetts Avenue, NW, armed with a firearm. Hargrove allegedly threatened the victim and attempted to steal some marijuana from the facility, which operates as an illegal marijuana shop. Due to the amount of evidence in the court documents Judge Arthur granted the prosecution’s request to detain Hargrove.  

Hargrove’s next court date is scheduled for Dec. 23.

Three defendants charged with being fugitives from justice were held. Two, William Williams and Jameise Christian, are wanted in Maryland, and one, William Gage, is wanted in North Carolina. They will be held at the DC jail for three days while waiting for the demanding jurisdiction to come and pick them up. 

Enoch Brown IV is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm. Brown, 29, has a previous firearm charge. The prosecution asked that he be detained due to the lack of compliance with his previous conditions.  

Judge Arthur granted the prosecution’s request to hold Brown at DC jail until his next court hearing. 

The judge also held Larry Hucks, who was brought in on a bench warrant. The defendant is a fugitive from Maryland and failed to turn himself in after being released on Feb. 19.

Judge Arthur released five defendants charged with misdemeanors. The charges include attempted threats to do bodily harm, simple assault, second-degree theft, probation violation and attempted possession of a prohibited weapon. All five defendants were issued stay-away orders from the victims or places of the alleged incidents. The defendants were also required to report to the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA). They are all scheduled to appear in court on May 5, 2021. 

Three defendants, charged with being fugitives from the state of Virginia, were released. Their underlying charges include possession of a weapon, vehicle theft, failure to appear in a larceny case and probation violation in an assault case. 

Judge Arthur released four defendants with felony charges, including unauthorized use of a vehicle, possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of a firearm. All were released and ordered to report to the PSA. 

Three defendants with domestic violence-related charges were released. All three defendants were issued stay-away orders from the victims and places of the alleged incidents. The defendants must return to court on May 5, 2021.

An additional nine defendants had their charges dropped by the prosecution.

Emily Pengelly wrote this article.