Judge Sentences Theft Defendant to 18 Months

By D.C. Witness Staff - October 30, 2020
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects |

On Oct. 30, a DC Superior Court judge sentenced a first-degree theft defendant to 18 months.

John Leach was originally charged with robbery and first-degree theft. As part of a plea agreement, the robbery charge was dropped.

On June 25, 2019, Leach stole a pouch containing a wallet passport, credit cards, a driver’s license and a wedding band from someone on the 4800 block of Jay Street, NE. 

The 20-year-old defendant was on probation for robbery in one case and second-degree theft in another. However, the two probations are set for show cause hearings, and could be revoked. 

During the Oct. 30 hearing, Judge Rainey Brandt ordered his first-degree theft sentence to run concurrently with any other re-sentence that may be imposed in those cases. 

In those two cases, Leach, 20, was sentenced under the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA). The prosecution asked that Leach not get the Youth Act this time. 

However, defense attorney Stephanie Johnson argued that Leach is very young and has done immature things which would be the exact reason why he should be sentenced under the youth act. 

Judge Brandt agreed with the prosecution. She didn’t think that the YRA would be appropriate for this case. 

Leach will receive credit for time served and must pay $100 to the Victims of Violent Crime Compensation fund.