Judge Takes Child Sex Abuse Defendant Off Home Confinement

By D.C. Witness Staff - February 17, 2021
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Juveniles |

A DC Superior Court judge lifted the home confinement order for a sex abuse defendant.

The defendant is charged with felony first-degree child sexual abuse in a domestic violence case that is currently pending indictment.

Defense attorney Roderick Thompson said his client is having trouble securing housing since his apartment is occupied by his partner, who has children, and he is ordered to stay away from children.

Thompson said the lack of stable housing, frequent need to check in with the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) before traveling to appointments and limited funds make it hard for the defendant to function under the home confinement regulations.

He said the defendant has a medical condition that requires him to go to routine appointments.

Thompson asked Judge Juliet Mckenna to reduce his client’s pretrial release conditions to GPS monitoring only.

Despite opposition from the prosecution, Judge McKenna granted the request. She emphasized that the orders to stay away from all minors and the victim are still in place.

Judge McKenna said she granted the request because of the defendant’s limited criminal history and his record of diligently abiding by the requirements of the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP).