Man Enters Plea Deal in Domestic Violence Case

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A domestic violence defendant accused of assaulting his girlfriend with a gun entered a plea deal.

During the June 6 hearing, Charles Augburn, 22, pleaded guilty to one count of simple assault and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm in connection to an altercation with his girlfriend on January 30. According to court documents, Augburn brandished a gun following an argument with his girlfriend in which she accused Augburn of flirting with another woman. At one point, his girlfriend allegedly pulled out a taser. In response, he brandished a handgun, according to court documents.

Augburn’s defense lawyer Julie Swaney motioned for his release during the hearing, citing two family members declining health. Swaney also noted Augburn was in compliance with his ongoing mental health treatment.

The prosecutor pushed back, requesting that Augburn remain detained at St. Elizabeths hospital, DC’s psychiatric institution.

D.C. Superior Court Judge William Nooter rejected the defense’s request for release.

“I think it’s extremely important he maintains his regimen of treatment,” he said in reference to Augburn’s detention at St. Elizabeths.

As part of his plea deal, Augburn will have to register as a gun offender for at least two years after his sentence Their will be a pre-sentencing investigation into whether he qualifies for probation under the Youth Rehabilitation Act.

Augburn is scheduled to be sentenced on August 18.