Judge Removes GPS Monitor in Child Sexual Assault Case

By Graham Krewinghaus [former] - September 26, 2022
Court | Daily Stories | Sex Abuse | Sexual Assault | Suspects | Victims |

During a Sept. 26 felony arraignment, DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo granted a motion to have a defendant’s GPS monitor removed.

On Oct. 8, 2020, the complainant disclosed to the Metropolitan Police Department that she had been raped by the defendant on the 100 block of V Street, NE. The complainant, who was 13 years old at the time, said she was related to the defendant “by way of marriage,” according to police records. On Oct. 26, 2020, the defendant was arrested and charged with first-degree child sex abuse. The 38-year-old defendant told the police that he was not wearing a condom, and he also kissed the victim on the mouth.

During the Monday arraignment, defense attorney Madalyn Harvey said the defendant has been in compliance with his terms of condition for nearly two years, and that “he’s doing well.” The defendant was moved from the High-Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) to GPS monitoring a year ago.

Judge Demeo requested a report on the defendant’s compliance from Pretrial Services. An officer from the agency called in via Webex to report that the defendant has been checking in weekly via phone and has not violated his stay-away orders.

The prosecutor did not contest the motion to remove the GPS.

Citing the “extensive period of time” the defendant has been compliant with his conditions of release, Judge Demeo granted the motion, but continued the stay-away orders, weekly phone check-ins and mental health services.

Judge Demeo also arraigned the defendant on three new charges, including first-degree sex abuse and two counts of second-degree child sex abuse.

Harvey entered a plea of not guilty to each of the four on behalf of the defendant.

Once the defendant was arraigned, Judge Demeo said that given the case had “been around for a while,” she wanted to schedule a date for trial.

Harvey and the prosecution agreed upon a trial beginning on Nov. 8, 2023. Both parties said they expect to need two to three days each to present their cases.

The parties are scheduled to return to court on Oct. 28 for a status hearing.