Judge Modifies Defendant’s Pretrial Release Conditions

By D.C. Witness Staff - August 31, 2020
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects |

A defendant’s request to change his pretrial release conditions, citing new employment and education opportunities, was granted Aug. 31 by a DC Superior Court judge.

Melvin Johnson is charged with carrying a pistol outside a home or business, unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction and two counts of first-degree theft in three cases. 

Johnson, 22, picked up the theft charges on March 14, 2019, and the weapons charges on Feb. 29. The defendant was put on pretrial release in his 2019 cases, but was detained at the DC Jail after picking up his more recent charges. 

On April 22, Johnson was released under the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP.) He was restricted to 24-hour home confinement and forced to wear a GPS monitor. He was also given orders to stay away from two different locations in Northwest DC.

The Aug. 31 hearing was scheduled to address defense attorney Drew Flood’s motion to have his client’s release conditions modified.

During the hearing, Flood said the defendant has been in compliance with his pretrial conditions since April, and has new employment and educational opportunities. He asked Judge Gerald Fisher to lift Johnson’s stay away orders, and allow him to leave his home, so long as he continues to wear his GPS device.

Judge Fisher granted Johnson’s request to have his home confinement modified to allow him to visit pre-approved locations, so long as he stays in compliance with a new curfew.

According to court documents, two police officers with the Metropolitan Police Department were called to the 1100 block of 2nd Street, SE after a witness saw two individuals tampering with parked vehicles. The witness allegedly told MPD that the individuals were currently inside of a Subway restaurant in the area.

MPD quickly discovered that Johnson was wanted for numerous thefts in the area and arrested him.