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By
D.C. Witness Staff
- October 19, 2020
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On Oct. 19, DC Superior Court Judge Sean Staples released 25 defendants and held seven defendants in DC Jail during initial hearings.
Juan Ireharta is charged with simple assault and contempt.
The prosecution argued that this is Ireharta’s third case involving the assault of strangers in a matter of three months.
Ireharta, 29, allegedly punched a man on the 3200 block of Mount Pleasant Street, NW on Oct. 17.
Judge Staples issued a stay away order and held Ireharta due to his prior history.
Shawn Grant, 32, was arrested on a bench warrant for failing to appear at his hearing in a case where he was charged with fleeing a law enforcement officer.
The bench warrant was issued back in June 2017.
Judge Staples decided to hold him until his next court date scheduled for Nov. 9.
Michael Smith III is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction.
The defense asked for his release into the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP). However, Judge Staples denied the request.
According to a pretrial report, the defendant, 27, was released on another case and has not been compliant with release conditions. Therefore, Judge Staples chose to hold him until his next scheduled court date on Nov. 9.
Thomas Carter is charged with carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business. He is also a fugitive from justice from Maryland for a parole violation in an assault case.
According to court documents, Carter allegedly shot himself in the back of an Uber, requiring medical attention on his thigh.
The defense asked for Carter to be released in order for him to get proper care. However, the prosecution argued that the dangerousness of the incident is concerning.
Judge Staples agreed with the prosecution and decided to hold Carter until his scheduled Nov. 9 court date.
A domestic violence defendant is charged with destruction of property less than $1,000 and a Temporary Protective Order (TPO) violation.
The defendant is on probation and pretrial release in other cases. Judge Staples issued a stay away order and decided to hold him until his next hearing scheduled for Nov. 3.
Another domestic violence defendant is charged with a TPO violation and contempt.
According to a pretrial report, every time the defendant gets released he violates the stay away order and goes back to the restricted address. Due to this, Judge Staples said he does not believe he can comply with the conditions of release.
The defendant’s next court date is scheduled for Nov. 3.
Robert Pinkney is charged with unlawful entry onto private property. According to court documents, Pinkney, 29, has eight pending cases currently. Due to his prior history, Judge Staples chose to hold him, scheduling his next court date for Nov. 3.
Judge Staples released eight defendants charged in misdemeanor cases.
Of those defendants, all of them are required to contact the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) and five of them were given stay away orders. Drug and alcohol screening and specialized supervision were also other conditions for two of the defendants. One of the misdemeanor cases is also paired with a fugitive case; the defendant was ordered to turn himself in to Virginia authorities in that matter.
Judge Staples released six defendants charged in felony cases. The charges included second-degree burglary, distribution of cocaine and carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business. All of the defendants are required to contact the PSA and two were given stay away orders. Two defendants, who were apprehended on firearms charges, were ordered not to possess any firearms.
Judge Staples released eight domestic violence defendants. All of the defendants were ordered to report to the PSA and all were given stay away orders. One defendant was also placed on GPS monitoring.
Two defendants were released after being arrested on bench warrants. Both defendants were ordered to report to PSA.
Judge Staples also released one defendant who is charged with driving under the influence and operating a vehicle while impaired. The defendant must report to PSA and is ordered not to drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol. He must also not drive without a valid license.