Judge Sentences Defendant to 10 Years in Prison for His Role in a Robbery Turned Deadly

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DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan sentenced a homicide defendant to 10 years in prison on Dec. 16.

Deandre Houston was charged with first-degree murder while armed, armed robbery and two gun charges in the shooting of 27-year-old Roderick Thomas on the 3200 block of 12th Street SE, on Oct. 11, 2018. On April 1, the 21-year-old defendant pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed after making a deal with prosecutors.

Judge Raffinan sentenced Houston to 10 years in prison with 5 years supervised release. He will be required to register as a gun offender when released.

According to the proffer of facts, on Oct. 2, 2018, Houston created an account on OfferUp, an online marketplace for individuals to buy and sell items, under the username “John.” He posted an ad to sell a laptop for $225. Thomas responded to the ad and the two agreed on a meeting place in the Congress Heights neighborhood.

The laptop did not exist.

According to the prosecution, Houston and an unknown co-conspirator planned to rob Thomas once they met. When Thomas arrived, the two robbed him of the $225 and then demanded his car. Thomas fought back, and Houston’s co-conspirator shot him.

On Friday, the prosecution requested Houston be sentenced to 14 years in prison.

Houston obtained his high school diploma while incarcerated at the DC Jail. He also participated in a number of programs offered at the Jail and acquired numerous certifications, according to defense attorney Sellano Simmons.

“I know he has a great heart. I know Deandre is not lost,” Houston’s godfather said at the sentencing.

Simmons addressed the victim’s family in a letter written by Houston.

“There is no excuse for everything that has happened,” Houston wrote in the letter. “I know you won’t be able to forgive me but I hope one day you will. To my kids and Thomas’s kids, I am sorry you have to live your life without your father. That is what I struggled the most with.”

The defense requested Houston be sentenced to 10 years.

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