Judge Suspends Defendant’s Sentence Except for Probation

By D.C. Witness Staff - July 27, 2020
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects |

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a defendant to 120 days, which are all suspended, plus one year of supervised probation.

Lawrence Nailing pleased guilty to possession of a controlled substance. He was originally charged with possession with the intent to distribute a controlled substance after Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers found him with amphetamines on May 25 on the 1900 block of 16 Street, SE, according to court documents. Police say the drugs were found in a plastic bag containing small green zips.

The documents also state that Nailing had more than $400 in cash when arrested. 

As part of a plea deal with the prosecution, the defendant’s felony charge was downgraded to a misdemeanor. 

During the July 27 sentencing, Judge Judith Smith said her decision to place Nailing on one year of supervised probation was a product of complications from the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the pandemic, she said, drug treatment programs are not currently operating. She put a year-long probation in place so Nailing could hopefully benefit from those drug treatment programs.

Linden Fry, Nailing’s attorney, said his client would “embrace” drug treatment if ordered by the court.

“I apologize for any inconvenience I have caused,” Nailing said before receiving his sentence. “I just want to put this behind me and get it over with.”