Judge Issues Two Bench Warrants During Probation, Pretrial Hearings

By D.C. Witness Staff - September 9, 2020
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects |

A DC Superior Court judge continued hearings and issued two bench warrants during pretrial and probation hearings on Sept. 8.

Judge Michael O’Keefe issued a bench warrant for Jamaul Crockett and Dwanda Reese’s arrest after they failed to appear in court. 

Crockett, 36, is charged with attempted threats to do bodily harm, possession of cocaine, simple assault and assault on a police officer in three different cases. 

Crockett’s attorney, Gregory Copeland, said he has not had any contact with the defendant. Copeland said he was not provided with any contact information. The PSA has also had no contact with Crockett since he was released in July.

Reese, 33, is charged with bail violation, sexual solicitation, distribution of cocaine and possession of cocaine in four different cases.

According to the PSA, Reese has been a loss of contact since August and only had sporadic contact with her case manager before that. 

The prosecution requested a bench warrant because of Reese’s absence and her “spotty” history of appearing in court.

Judge O’Keefe also continued an assault defendant’s pretrial show cause hearing because his attorney gave him the wrong date.

Anthony Johnson, 21, is charged with simple assault in connection with an incident that occurred at the Union Station Shops in Northeast, DC on July 6. 

Judge O’Keefe rescheduled Johnson’s hearing for Sept. 9. 

Judge O’Keefe continued another pretrial show cause hearing for a defendant charged in two misdemeanor cases.

In his first case, Wendell Clay is charged with simple assault, second-degree theft and destruction of property less than $1,000 in connection with an incident that occurred on the 2800 block of Alabama Avenue, SE on Aug. 22, 2019. 

In his more recent case, he is charged with simple assault in connection with an incident that occurred on the 1600 block of 30 Street, SE on May 24. 

Clay, 40, was given a verbal warning to comply with his release conditions. He must report weekly to the PSA by telephone.

Judge O’Keefe scheduled Clay’s next hearing for March 22, 2021.

Judge O’Keefe continued a gun defendant’s probation show cause hearing in order for him to complete a mental health assessment. 

Tumarcus Hawkins is serving 12 months of probation for carrying a pistol without a license.

According to a Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) representative, Hawkins has been in compliance but still has to complete a mental health assessment. Hawkins, 23, said he will get it done this week.

Judge O’Keefe scheduled Hawkins’ next show cause hearing for Oct. 8.

Judge O’Keefe discharged a weapon possession defendant’s pretrial show cause hearing.

Michael Johnson is charged with carrying a pistol without a license on the 3900 block of Martin Luther King Junior Avenue, SW on March 18.

According to the PSA, Johnson, 22, has only had one infraction where he didn’t charge his GPS device. Otherwise, he has been in compliance. 

The prosecution asked Judge O’Keefe to keep Johnson on the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) since he has not been in perfect compliance. Judge O’Keefe granted the request. 

Judge O’Keefe terminated an assault defendant’s probation as unsuccessful. 

Tamika Watkins was sentenced to six months of probation for a simple assault that occurred on Dec. 24, 2018, on the 1400 block of Maryland Avenue, NE.

Watkins did not show up to her hearing.

Watkins, 37, has been out of contact since June 5, according to a Community Service Officer. Prior to June 5, Watkins was in contact with her probation officer every two to three weeks. 

Derrick Page, Watkins’ attorney, thought the loss of contact was due to possible homelessness; however, the idea could not be confirmed.

Another defendant charged with unlawful possession of a firearm did not appear in court because he was in custody due to a parole warrant. 

According to the PSA, 29-year-old Walik Smith is currently in custody and has been a loss of contact since June. 

Judge O’Keefe held Smith without bail.

Judge O’Keefe continued a theft and unlawful entry defendant’s pretrial show cause hearing.

Daquan White is charged with second-degree theft and unlawful entry of a motor vehicle in connection with an incident that occurred Sept. 15, 2018, on the 1400 Block of H Street, NE.

A PSA representative said that White, 24, is in compliance with his release conditions.

Judge O’Keefe scheduled White’s next hearing for March 2, 2021. 

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