Judge Holds Defendant Charged for 2 Cases Over Span of A Month

By D.C. Witness Staff - August 27, 2020
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects |

On Aug. 26, a DC Superior Court judge found probable cause and held a defendant charged with a felony.

Luis Gonzales is charged with second-degree theft and simple assault in a misdemeanor case for allegedly stealing from a store and fighting with an employee on the 1800 block of Columbia Road, NW on June 30. He committed the misdemeanor offense while on release in a felony case. Gonzales has been held in this case since July 1.

During the preliminary hearing, Judge Renee Raymond found probable cause for the misdemeanor offense based on witness testimonies, a police report, and video evidence. 

Even though she released Gonzales in the misdemeanor case with a stay away order from the 1800 block of Columbia Road, NW, Judge Raymond held him in the felony matter.

In the felony case, he is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and first-degree burglary while armed for allegedly breaking into a residence, physically assaulting a resident with a pole, and stealing property on the 3500 block of 16th Street, NW on June 16. Gonzales was released in that case with a stay away order from the victims and their residence on June 17.

“What is very troubling is that he hasn’t been in the District for a very long time,” Judge Raymond said. “In that very little bit of time, he has managed to be charged with a pretty serious offense—assault with a dangerous weapon and burglary I while armed.

Gonzales’s next hearing is scheduled for Sept. 16.