Judge Holds Nearly Half the Defendants During Initial Hearings

By D.C. Witness Staff - November 17, 2020
Featured | Homicides | Juveniles | Suspects |

On Nov. 17, DC Superior Court Judge Renee Raymond held twelve defendants, released eleven and continued one hearing during initial hearings.

Johnny Coles, 24, is held on charges of carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction. Coles was allegedly found with a handgun on Nov. 16, while on release in a pending case in which he is also charged with unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction.

Judge Raymond said she was concerned about the gun-related nature of the two alleged offenses when she decided to hold him.

Ramel Henderson, 16, is held after being arrested on a bench warrant for failing to appear at court for his pending case, in which he is charged with possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, armed robbery, armed carjacking and carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business. He is being tried as an adult due to the severity of the alleged crime.

“There is a presumption of detention given that Mr. Henderson has been charged and in fact, indicted by a grand jury, on the charge of armed carjacking and carrying a pistol without a license and other felony charges,” said Judge Raymond.

Ryan Jones, 19, is held on a charge of unarmed carjacking for an alleged incident that took place on Nov. 16. Jones also has a pending charge of fugitive from justice for an armed robbery case in Maryland. 

Jones’s attorney, Suen Pierce, argued that the judge should not find probable cause because the identifying evidence was weak, and that Jones should be released because he has no prior criminal history. However, Judge Raymond found probable cause and decided to hold the defendant.

A domestic violence defendant is held on a charge of contempt for violating his release conditions. The defendant was in court the day prior on domestic violence charges involving simple assault and attempted threats to do bodily harm, and was released with an order to stay away from the victim and her home. 

“What [the defendant] has shown me is that he cannot honor a stay away order,” the judge said. “I ordered that you stay away from there less than 24 hours ago.”

Alfonzo Forte, 54, is held on a charge of distribution of cocaine while armed. Forte was arrested during a buy-bust operation conducted by the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) on Nov. 16, during which he was allegedly found to have scissors. 

The judge held Chaz Jones on a charge of being a fugitive from justice. He is wanted on an attempted first-degree murder charge in Maryland. The demanding jurisdiction has three business days to retrieve Jones, or a hearing will be scheduled for him in DC. 

Denzel Pace, 26, is held on charges of unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction and carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business. He was arrested after he was allegedly found with a handgun during a traffic stop on Nov. 16. Pace has two prior felony convictions. 

The judge also held Johnny Smith, 53, on charges of distribution of cocaine and misdemeanor possession of cocaine. Smith was arrested on Feb. 11 during an undercover buy-bust operation conducted by MPD. He was rearrested on a bench warrant on Nov. 17 after he failed to appear at court on Oct. 26. 

A domestic violence defendant is held on charges of second-degree theft and unlawful entry onto private property. The defendant allegedly committed the offense while on release in a misdemeanor case, in which he is charged with destruction or property and threats to do bodily harm. 

Bruce Ross, 18, is held on a charge of felony contempt for violating his release conditions in a pending felony case, in which he is charged with carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business. Judge Reynolds decided to hold Ross given his violation of release conditions.

Dipa Kabasela is held as a fugitive from justice for a pending case in Maryland, in which he is charged with violation of a protection order. The demanding authority has three business days to retrieve Kasabela or he will be scheduled for a court date in DC.

Six defendants charged with misdemeanors, and one defendant convicted of a misdemeanor offense, were released. Four of those defendants were released with stay away orders, two were ordered not to harass, assault, threaten, or stalk (HATS) the victims.

One defendant charged with a felony offense was released with orders to stay away from the location of the alleged crime and to not own a firearm or ammunition within DC.

One defendant convicted of a felony was released with an order to stay away from the compliant as a conditions of his probation.

Two domestic violence defendants were released with stay away orders. One of the defendants was ordered to get a GPS monitor. The third domestic violence defendant was given a no HATS order.  

One defendant charged with a misdemeanor is currently hospitalized and his case was continued to Nov. 18. 

This article was written by Maansi Srivastava.