Judge Sentences Sex Abuse Defendant to Probation

By D.C. Witness Staff - February 2, 2021
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Probation | Suspects | Victims |

A DC Superior court judge sentenced a defendant to 18 months of probation for attempted third-degree sex abuse. 

Judge Todd E. Edelman sentenced Antoine Peach to two years, suspended as to all but time served, which means he won’t need to spend any more time behind bars. He is also required to serve 18 months of supervised probation. 

“This was a random attack on a stranger,” the prosecutor said during the Jan. 29 sentencing. “We can all see this as a crime perpetrated by the suspect’s lengthy drug use.”

However, the prosecutor also gave him credit for taking responsibility for his actions rather early in his case. She said that, although the 45-year-old has a lengthy criminal record, this is his first sex abuse charge.

With this in mind, the prosecution recommended a suspended sentence plus 18 months of probation with inpatient treatment, sex offender treatment and a stay away order.  

Defense attorney Amanda Rogers pointed out Peach’s effort to remain compliant with court orders despite his homelessness while currently addressing his drug addiction through constant communication with his case manager.

“Mr. Peach is doing everything he can,” Rogers said. “The pandemic causes many problems for him with both his health and ability to stay in contact.”

Rogers also mentioned the defendant’s determination to arrive at her office, even during the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. 

Rogers asked that her client be given outpatient treatment options rather than inpatient, as the prosecution recommended, so he could maintain his full-time job.

“I apologize for my actions to the government,” Peach said before he was sentenced. “I was not in the right state of mind. I want to move forward and be successful and be a good person.”

Judge Edelman found the prosecution’s sentencing recommendation reasonable and acknowledged the role that substance abuse played in the crime. 

“This is a haunting offense and I can’t put into words its severity. It could and would have been worst if not for the intervention,” he said.

As part of his probation, Peach must take drug tests, remain fully-employed, stay away from the victim and receive a sex offender evaluation and treatment as deemed necessary by the court. He must also pay  $100 to the Victims of Violent Crime (VVC) compensation fund. 

Peach had been held at DC Jail since his initial hearing on July 11, 2020, until the end of October, when he was released into the High-Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) after entering a guilty plea. He was originally charged with assault with intent to commit first-degree sexual abuse but pleaded down to attempted third-degree sex abuse.