Judge Issues 3 Bench Warrants During Show Cause Hearings

By D.C. Witness Staff - October 20, 2020
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects |

A DC Superior Court judge issued three bench warrants during nine pretrial and probation show cause hearings on Oct. 20. 

Judge Julie Becker issued the warrants for Antoine Jackson, Daryl Pearce and Lawrence Brown after they failed to appear in court. 

Pearce, 23, is charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle and fleeing a law enforcement officer. 

Pearce’s attorney, Lola Ziadie, also said she did not know where her client is located.

According to the PSA report, Pearce has a federal probation warrant from another case in Virginia. The warrant is still active and the U.S. Marshall Service was prepared to detain Pearce if he appeared for his hearing. 

“He was told to be here a few weeks ago and with no representation, I’m going to issue a bench warrant,” Judge Becker said. 

Jackson, 25, is charged with second-degree burglary for allegedly breaking into an establishment on the 2600 block of 15th Street, NW, on April 11, and taking property.

According to the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA), Jackson has been a loss of contact since Sept. 29, and has not verified his address. He has also been arrested three times since he was put on pretrial release in April.  

Defense attorney Lillian Miller said she does not know where her client is located. However, she said he does not have stable housing. 

“He has had three rearrests, so I’m concerned about his absence from this court and with pretrial,” said Judge Becker.

Lawrence Brown, 53, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon. 

At a Sept. 22 show cause hearing, Brown’s attorney, Elizabeth Weller, asked for more time to locate Brown. Weller was unable to find him between Sept. 22 and Oct 20.

Rondez Tibbs had his probation show cause hearing continued.

Tibbs pleaded guilty to robbery, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, possession of an unregistered firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior firearms conviction in 2015. 

The Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) said Tibbs had been in compliance until he went to California without permission. When he was in California, he was arrested after a high-speed chase where he allegedly reached speeds over 140 miles per hour. He was subsequently charged with reckless driving and reckless evading in California. Tibbs was also convicted for possession of a fictitious ID in Alexandria on Aug. 17.

The prosecutor requested revocation of Tibbs probation due to him violating his probation by leaving D.C. and being convicted in Alexandria. 

Judge Becker denied the request to revoke Tibbs’ probation. Instead, Judge Becker continued Tibbs’ hearing for Nov. 5 to give the prosecution enough time to either present evidence from the Los Angeles case or schedule a new hearing after Tibbs’ trial in Los Angeles.  

Tibbs was taken into custody by U.S. Marshalls at the end of the hearing for a warrant from Fairfax, Va. 

Judge Becker continued a pretrial show cause hearing for Jeremiah Hawkins.

Hawkins, 24, is charged with simple assault and threats to do bodily harm. The PSA filed a notice of noncompliance on Aug. 28 for failing to report. 

At a show cause hearing on Sept. 30, Hawkins was ordered to come back into compliance with PSA. After contacting PSA on Sept. 30, Hawkins stopped reporting. He also still needs to verify his address. 

Hawkins’ attorney, Anna Forgie, said her client was confused and didn’t know that he had to report to the PSA every week. 

Judge Becker scheduled a new show cause hearing for Nov. 20, to give Hawkins time to come into compliance and verify his address. 

Kristopher Shrewsbury, 25, had his hearing continued to trail a trial in a separate case that is currently scheduled for Nov. 30.

Shrewsbury was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction. 

CSOSA said Shrewsbury has been in compliance and is reporting as directed. 

Judge Becker scheduled Shrewsbury’s next hearing for Dec. 7.

Judge Becker got rid of a bench warrant that was issued for Damain Hawkins on Sept. 16 after he appeared in court upon learning about it.

Hawkins was convicted of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia in 2016.

Hawkins said he didn’t know that he was required to report to his probation officer due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Judge Becker told Hawkins to report to CSOSA immediately. His next hearing is scheduled for March 23, 2021.

Judge Becker continued a show cause hearing for Haile Salaam, who did not show up to his hearing. 

Salaam, 39, is charged with GPS tampering. 

Salaam’s attorney, Sweta Patel, requested more time to find and contact Salaam. Patel said it has been difficult to locate Salaam since he was having trouble finding shelter and is moving between homeless shelters. 

Judge Becker agreed with Patel and scheduled a show cause hearing for Dec. 11.

Judge Becker also continued Shaun Wilkins’ pretrial show cause hearing. Wilkins, 40, is charged with possession of a controlled substance. 

According to the PSA, Wilkins last contact was on Sept. 25. 

Judge Becker continued the case to give the defendant time to come back into compliance

Wilkins’ next hearing is scheduled for Nov. 19.