Judge Warns Defendant to Keep Ankle Monitor Charged or Face Arrest

By Maggie Rhoads [former] - August 16, 2024
Uncategorized |

At a hearing on Aug. 15, a carjacking suspect was warned to keep his GPS monitor active to continue on release. The device pinpoints the whereabouts of an individual but needs to be recharged daily.

Lamontee Fowler, 21, is charged with three counts of armed carjacking and three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for allegedly committing three separate carjackings on April 27, May 2 and May 8. The incidents on April 27 and May 2 happened on the 4400 block of Texas Avenue, SE, while the one on May 8 took place on the 4300 block of G Street, SE. 

Fowler is also charged for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting on May 10 on the 4400 block of B Street, SE.

During the hearing, a Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) representative said Fowler’s GPS monitor was not operating between Aug. 4 through Aug. 7. She said the GPS monitor lost its charge while Fowler was home. 

When he later attended a meeting with his case manager, she said Fowler did not provide an explanation for why his GPS monitor was silent for three days. 

DC Superior Court Judge Robert Salerno told Fowler if an instance like this occurs again, the prosecution would arrest him awaiting trial. 

According to court documents, during the incident on May 8, Fowler allegedly fired two bullets at a victim before the carjacking. On May 2, Fowler allegedly pointed a gun at a carjacking victim but did not fire it.

Other court documents state Fowler allegedly carjacked another victim at gunpoint on May 8. Then on May 10, Fowler allegedly fired shots at victims and abandoned the car he allegedly stole on May 8.

Parties are set to reconvene on Nov. 1.