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By
Jeff Levine
- May 21, 2024
Daily Stories
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Juveniles
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Robbery
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Suspects
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Victims
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A 17-year-old boy charged as an adult in a series of carjackings was arraigned before DC Superior Court Judge Lynn Leibovitz on May 21.
According to a release from the DC US Attorney’s office, on May 16, Montello Washington was indicted on one count of armed carjacking, two counts of armed robbery, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, unauthorized use of a vehicle in order to commit crimes of violence, and possession of a firearm during crimes of violence.
Appearing in court with his attorney, Thomas Key, Washington pleaded not guilty and asserted his constitutional rights going forward.
Prosecutors say late in the evening of Aug. 15, 2023, starting on the 1300 block of Tewkesbury Place, NW, Washington and several accomplices robbed a man at gunpoint while the victim was on his way to work.
As events continued to unfold, into the early morning on Aug. 16, 2023, according to the release, Washington and his accomplices committed a series of armed robberies, armed assaults, in which they fired gunshots at two victims, and an armed carjacking.
In a brief hearing on Tuesday, the prosecutor said there was an offer on the table for Washington. It would require him to enter a guilty plea for armed carjacking and armed robbery in return for dropping the indictment but reserving allocution, or a final sentencing recommendation, for 20 years of incarceration.
According to court documents, plea negotiations are underway. Meanwhile, the defendant is held without bond.
The DC Sentencing Commission says that between 2016 and 2020, the average term for all armed carjackings was 180 months, or 15 years in prison.
In detailing the arrest, the Department of Justice says, later in the evening on Aug. 16 after MPD officers saw the stolen car allegedly used to commit these offenses in Southeast DC, and attempted to stop it.
Subsequently, the driver allegedly led MPD on a pursuit through the District, into Maryland–then back into the District before three people eventually bailed out of the car.
Police apprehended Washington and another person after they fled from the vehicle.
According to a release from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), 18-year-old Amon Ward, of Northwest, DC, was also arrested and charged with ten counts in the crime spree including armed robbery, car theft and carrying a pistol without a license.
Out of 2,227 total carjacking offenses documented by the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) from 2020 through 2023, 607 or just 27 percent end with an arrest or are closed for other reasons, according to a D.C. Witness investigation.
Washington next’s court appearance is on June 12 for a status hearing.