Judge Sentences Defendant to 8.5 Years Under The Youth Act

By D.C. Witness Staff - September 16, 2020
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects |

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a defendant to eight-and-a-half years for three charges. 

In May 2019, Thadduse Hartridge pleaded guilty to assault with intent to commit robbery, robbery and unarmed carjacking for three separate incidents that occurred in 2018 and 2019. 

Hartridge, 19, was initially charged with armed robbery and assault with intent to commit armed robbery. However, the charges were changed as part of a plea deal with the prosecution.

The defendant was sentenced under the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA,) which would effectively seal his case after he completes his requirements. 

The prosecution argued against a youth act sentence due to the nature of the crimes.

“He took a leading role in the most violent offense in the carjacking case,” the prosecutor said. “He struck a female with a metal baton. Not only is she a senior citizen, she has continued stress related to this violent attack.”

The prosecution asked for a sentence totaling ten years for the three charges, mainly due to the gratuitous nature of the offenses. 

“All three offenses are extremely violent,” said the prosecution. “The victims were assaulted beyond what would be required to take their property.”

Hartridge’s attorney, Stuart Johnson, said that Hartridge is taking responsibility for his actions and is improving himself while staying at New Beginnings Youth Development Center.

“Mr. Hartridge has gotten 17 certificates at New Beginnings,” said Johnson. “He was the top outstanding scholar. It is relevant to sentencing that he has been a model resident at a detention facility and he is going to keep bettering himself in federal prison.”

A Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) representative was present at the Sept. 16 hearing and agreed with Johnson’s six year recommendation.

“He’s been in our custody since January 2019,” said the DYRS representative. “He completed the animal-assisted therapy program and the therapist that ran the program said that he built up his empathy skills.”

Johnson read a statement that his client wrote.

“It’s important to me people don’t view me as a menace to society,” Hartridge wrote. “I know a few words can’t take back what I did, but I’m not the same young man that committed those crimes, I am evolving daily.”

Judge Judith Smith sentenced Hartridge to two years for assault with intent to commit robbery, 18 months for robbery and five years for unarmed carjacking.

The sentences will run consecutively. Hartridge will receive credit for time served.

Each sentence came with a three year period of supervised release, which will run concurrently. During that time period, Hartridge must complete 90 hours of community service.

Judge Smith also issued a stay away order from the three victims when Jartridge is released. He must also pay $300 to the Crime Victims Compensation Program. 

Judge Smith also recommended Hartridge receive anger management and mental health treatment while incarcerated. Judge Smith also recommended a GED program for Hartridge.