Judge Sentences Defendant with Criminal Past to Mandatory Minimum Term

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On July 27, DC Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur sentenced Clement Austin to 36-months in prison for the unlawful discharge of a firearm and other firearm offenses.

Austin, 38, was found guilty by a jury on the charges of carrying a pistol without a license, possession of unregistered ammunition, unlawful discharge of a firearm, and possession of an unregistered firearm in connection to a non-fatal shooting on February 9, 2020 on the 5800 block of Foote Street, NE. No injuries were reported from the discharge of the firearm.

The prosecution requested a sentence of 48-months due to the defendant’s prior charges and convictions, stating that he was arrested for an incident involving a firearm earlier this year.

The defense requested that their client be given the mandatory minimum of three years, due to the progress that he had made in the past three years.

Austin’s case manager from a mental health facility spoke on his behalf and described him as a caring and positive person.

After taking everything into consideration, Judge Arthur imposed the mandatory minimum of 36- months on the charge of unlawful discharge of a firearm. He then sentenced Arthur to 18-months for the charge of carrying a pistol without a license and to 180- days for each of the possession charges, which will run concurrent to the 36-months.

Austin is also required to make a payment of $200 to the Crime Victims’ Compensation Fund.