Judge Denies Defense’s Request for Temporary Release of Child Sex Abuse Defendant

DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo denied a defense attorney’s request for temporary release on behalf of a child sex abuse defendant.

The 45-year-old defendant was placed under arrest on Sept. 13 and charged with first-degree child sex abuse, second-degree sex abuse, stalking, and enticement of a child and minor for his alleged sexual conduct with a 15-year-old girl on the 200 block of Carroll Street, NW from 2019 to 2022.

During a Sept. 30 hearing, defense attorney, Howard McEachern, asked Judge Demeo to grant his client temporary release, stating that he needs to “get his affairs in order.”

According to court documents, Lopez first approached the victim at the Takoma Park Metro station when she was just 13-years-old. There, he allegedly called her “beautiful,” and the two exchanged phone numbers, initiating contact between them.

After exchanging phone numbers, the two began communicating with each other consistently and eventually started to meet in person at multiple different locations.

Court documents also state that the defendant performed oral sex on the victim in various hotels, a park in Silver Spring, Md., and both of their residences from 2019 to 2022.

McEachern argued in favor of temporary release for the defendant, regarding his criminal history as “negligible.”

In response, the prosecution contended that the defendant is “dangerous,” citing his prior voluntary manslaughter conviction in 1993 as proof of this claim.

Additional evidence from court documents further the prosecution’s argument as they allege the defendant reportedly stood outside the victim’s home with a card reading “love you” after she ended contact with him in July 2021.

Judge Demeo agreed with the prosecution and rejected McEachern’s request for temporary release, referring to the defendant as a “danger to the community.”

Parties are scheduled to return to court on Oct. 20 as the defense considers a plea offer the prosecution proposed during a previous hearing.

Prosecution Lays Out Timeline Before and After Murder During Closing Arguments

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan presided over closing arguments in which the prosecution laid out a timeline of events before and after the murder of a woman who has been missing since 2019.

Darnell Sterling, 57, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder on July 24, 2020, in connection to the sudden disappearance of his girlfriend, 34-year-old Olga Ooro. Sterling was allegedly the last person seen with Ooro before she was reported missing on July 17, 2019.

During the Sept. 30 trial, Sterling’s defense attorney, Howard McEachern, and the prosecution presented their final arguments. McEachern asserted that the prosecution does not have sufficient evidence to prove the alleged murder beyond a reasonable doubt, while the prosecution suggested otherwise.

Sterling and Ooro allegedly first started dating around 2019, and the first ever 911 call was made on July 13, 2019, according to the prosecution.

The prosecutor said that one of the neighbors in the apartment building heard Oora yelling for help as she and Sterling engaged in an argument that evening. Ooro was left with a busted lip.

The prosecution played security footage to the jury Friday, showing a car pulling up to the victim’s apartment building on July 17, 2020, at 12:17 am.

The defendant, who was wearing a white and blue striped polo, was seen following the victim and her son into the elevator.

Later, that evening, at 3:53 a.m., the defendant was seen leaving the apartment in a completely different outfit. He was wearing black clothing, while carrying a trash bag the prosecution said contained materials to clean up the murder.

At 4:11 a.m., the defendant drove from the victim’s building to his own apartment. Rather than entering the building through the main door, the defendant was detected by the cameras walking down the parking ramp. He changed his attire again that night.

At 9:35 a.m., the defendant went to a supermarket ATM to withdraw $500 and then later headed East on Route 50 towards Ocean City, where the prosecutor said he believes Sterling likely disposed of Ooro’s body.

In response to the prosecution’s argument, McEachern told the jury the prosecution’s claims were “convoluted theories without evidence.”

To strengthen his argument, he referenced DNA testing conducted by forensic scientists at Ooro’s apartment, where the alleged murder occurred.

The blood spot the prosecution said resulted from the murder was unable to be dated or identified. McEachern asserted that it could have been left by the last tenant as Ooro only lived there for seven months.

In reference to the argument that ensued on July 13, 2019, and Ooro’s busted lip, Sterling’s attorney said he believes it is unlikely that an altercation of that nature occurred if neighbors never called 911 or reported it that evening.

“Do not spend time on these red herrings,” McEachern told the jury.

Judge Raffinan excused jurors from the courtroom to begin deliberations.

The jury is expected to continue deliberating on Oct. 3.

Motion Hearing Continued for Murder Defendant in Quarantine

DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun rescheduled a motion hearing due to the defendant being quarantined at the DC Jail.

Alonzo Lewis, 33, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed against a minor, and three counts of possession of a firearm during crime of violence.

He allegedly shot 40-year-old Jaquon Helm and 35-year-old Venous Badgett on the 4600 block of Galveston Street, SW, on May 26.

The next hearing is scheduled for Oct. 13.

Case Acquitted: Murder Defendant Rejects Plea Offer Again

This case was acquitted on Dec. 16, 2022.

During a Sept. 30 hearing, a murder defendant rejected a plea offer in connection to a 2020 homicide case.

Reginald Hooks, 37, is charged with second-degree murder while armed with a knife for allegedly stabbing 22-year-old Dy’Mani Priestley on Jan. 5, 2020, on the 1200 block of U Street, NW

The prosecutor submitted a plea agreement offering to accept the lesser charge if Hooks pleaded guilty. If accepted, the defendant would have to serve 60-months in prison.

Hooks’ defense attorney, Harris Quiana, rejected the plea offer on behalf of her client on Friday.

The prosecution previously offered the defendant a plea offer on June 14, but it was also rejected.

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan scheduled a motion hearing for Oct. 21. The trial is currently set for Nov. 8.

The prosecutor said he anticipates having 15 expert witnesses at the trial.

Document: Suspect Sought in a Homicide

Metropolitan Police Department detectives made an arrest in identifying in connection to a homicide that occurred on Sept. 24, on the 2700 block of 30th Street, SE.

According to a press release, at approximately 11:34 am, officers located 62-year-old Arthur Harrison, Jr., suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.

He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Homicides Increase by 2 in September

There were 17 homicides in September, 13 percent more than the 15 homicides recorded in August.

Altogether, DC Witness data shows that there were 17 homicides, 20 non-fatal shootings, 2 assaults with intent to kill, and 1 traffic fatality in September. There have been 161 homicides in 2022 as of Sept. 30.

The 17 homicides included 14 shootings, 1 stabbing, and one vehicular homicide.

On Sept. 2, 39-year-old Archie Moore was arrested and charged with second-degree murder, driving under the influence, and reckless driving after a high-speed crash on the 200 block of 51st Street, SE resulted in the death of 60-year-old Rebecca Manley.

D.C. Witness reported that Moore told hospital staff he “did PCP and marijuana.” Officers found marijuana in his car, according to court records.

On Sept. 5, detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department found 63-year-old John Murphy suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital on Sept. 8.

Police have not made any arrests in this case either.

Of the 20 non-fatal shootings in September, police apprehended five suspects.

On Sept. 30, detectives made an arrest in connection to a domestic incident that occurred on Sept. 29, on the 1200 block of Morse Street, NE.

According to court documents, the suspects approached the victim at about 10:42 pm, brandishing a handgun, firing at the victim. The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

The following day, 22-year-old Alexys Hebron and 22-year-old James Lindsay were arrested and charged with assault with a dangerous weapon.

They are both currently being held at the DC Jail and are scheduled to return to court for a preliminary hearing on Oct. 4.

Grace Guzzo, Julia Yan and Tiffany Word created this graphic.

Check out additional data on our site.

Judge Keeps Plea Offer Open for Child Sex Abuse Defendant

DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo provided a child sex abuse defendant and his attorney with additional time to consider a plea offer the defendant said he did not understand.

The 34-year-old defendant is charged with second-degree child sex abuse for his alleged sexual conduct with two minors on Aug. 8, in a shower room of a public pool located on the 1800 block of Anacostia Road, SE.

During a Sept. 30 hearing, the prosecution presented a plea deal for second-degree child-sex abuse. If the defendant took the deal, the prosecution would remove any additional charges and exempt him from delivering a statement to the court.

According to court documents, Jones allegedly entered a shower with two minor boys in the bathroom of a pool where he caressed one of their backs, and then proceeded to place his hand beneath the same boy’s underwear.

Court documents also state that the defendant allegedly approached the other boy and asked to rub soap on both of their backs. He then exposed his genitals and started rubbing that area in front of the boys.

The prosecution proposed the plea offer before Jones and his defense attorney, Donna Beasley, but the defendant interjected, stating, “I don’t understand these fancy words.”

In response, Judge Demeo ordered that the plea deal stay open until parties reconvene, giving Beasley time to explain its meaning to the defendant.

The defendant is currently released under the specialized supervision unit of the pretrial services agency. The unit provides supervision to defendants with mental illness, mild mental retardation and/or co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders, according to the agency’s website. As part of the defendant’s release, he also has a stay away order.

Parties are scheduled to return to court on Oct. 14.

Upcoming Sexual Assault Trial Delayed

DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee vacated a sexual assault defendant’s trial dates during an Oct. 3 status hearing.

The defendant, 53, is charged with first-degree sexual abuse for allegedly forcing himself on a woman in her apartment located on the 1000 block of North Capitol Street, NE on March 11, 2021.

According to a representative from the prosecution’s office, the case’s prosecutor is dealing with health problems that were not disclosed in open court. Due to the prosecutor’s unavailability, the prosecution moved to vacate the case’s Oct. 17 trial date. Judge Lee agreed.

The victim is currently being in the hospital and will not being able to appear in court for testimony.

“That has its own set of practical difficulties,” Judge Lee noted. “But it’s not an impossibility.”

With regards to the prosecutor’s health issues, defense attorney Wole Falodun expressed his sympathy and wished the prosecutor a speedy recovery.

But if the trial is to be delayed, Falodun said, the defendant should be considered for release.

It was supposed to be a “100-day case,” he said, and it has been more than a year and a half that the defendant has been held at the DC Jail.

He proposed a GPS monitor, with orders to stay away from the victim and whatever hospital that is treating her.

The prosecutors opposed the motion for release, saying the defendant still posed a danger to the community. However, as one of the prosecutors noted, “we never intend to hold [the defendant] just to hold him,” and that if the trial is further delayed, release may be in the cards.

Falodun said that if the defendant were to be released, he would likely need to stay in shelters because he lost his apartment when he was charged.

He has a friend that may be able to help him with money and a place to shower, Falodun said, but the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) would not be ideal for the defendant’s situation.

“There is a point where I have to look at some other options for [the defendant],” Judge Lee said, informing the Falodun that there would need to be more tangible living arrangements than a plan to stay in shelters.

He asked Falodun to direct the defendant’s friend to the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA), so the agency can determine the feasibility of release.

According to court documents, the complainant called the Metropolitan Police Department from the lobby of her apartment building, telling officers the defendant confronted her in her hallway with a knife and forced her to let him into her apartment.

He hit her several times on her head, chest and back, and raped her, according to the documents.

The victim said she was able to escape when the defendant allowed her to use the restroom, running down the stairs to call the police.

When officers arrived, they escorted her back up to her apartment, where the defendant was located. He opened the door for officers and was arrested. The complainant confirmed to officers that he was the man who had raped her.

The parties are scheduled to return to court on Oct. 18 for a status hearing. According to the DC Court website, a jury trial is scheduled for Oct. 19.

Sexual Abuse Defendant Awaits Non-Jury Trial

On Oct. 3, release conditions for a domestic violence defendant were reviewed.

The 33-year-old defendant is charged with first-degree sexual abuse for allegedly raping his girlfriend.

The defendant is currently release on personal recognizance. His release was switched on Feb. 17 from the personal recognizance under the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) where he had to undergo drug testing and frequent check-ins.

According to court documents, on Aug 13, 2018, the defendant got into an altercation regarding the destruction of his ex-girlfriend’s car.

The defendant and the victim had gone to get an appraisal for the ex-girlfriend’s car and the defendant then got out of the car and left his phone behind. The defendant’s girlfriend, at the time, went through his phone to discover that her name was listed as “mom” among his contacts where she then got very upset and began to argue with the defendant.

The two returned to the defendant’s house where they continued to argue. The defendant then picked up the victim and carried her to the bedroom where he threw her on the bed, held her hands above her head and began kissing her chest, according to court documents.

She began to cry and scream and asked him if he really was going to rape her. He responded by saying it wasn’t rape. He then forced his penis inside of her vagina.

As she fought back, he allegedly began to choke her until she vomited, documents state. The victim was taken to the hospital for having an asthma attack. The police were then contacted by hospital staff.

After DNA testing, results showed three different contributors, including the victim, the defendant and an unknown, unrelated individual.

Defense attorney Jacqueline Cadman asserted the defendant’s 6th amendment right to a speedy trial.

DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Anderson set a non-jury trial for Feb. 7.

Document: Arrest Made in an Assault with a Dangerous Weapon Offense

Metropolitan Police Department detectives made an arrest in connection to an incident that occurred on Sept. 29, on the 1200 block of Morse Street, NE.

According to court documents at about 10:42 pm, the suspects approached the victim, brandished a handgun, and fired at the victim. The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

On Sept. 30, 22-year-old Alexys Hebron and 22-year-old James Lindsay were arrested and charged with assault with a dangerous weapon.

Document: Vehicle Sought in an Assault with a Dangerous Weapon Offense

Metropolitan Police Department detectives are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a vehicle in connection to an assault with a dangerous weapon offense that occurred on Sept. 28, on the 4600 block of Hillside Road, SE.

According to a press release, officers located an adult male suffering from gunshot wounds. The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatning injuries.

Document: Suspect Sought in Misdemeanor Sexual Abuse Offenses

Metropolitan Police Department detectives are asking for the public’s help in identifying a suspect in connection to sexual abuse offenses that occurred on Sept. 26.

According to a press release, at approximately 9:30 a.m on the 1000 block of 17th Street, NW and at 10:00 a.m on the 1100 block of New Hampshire Avenue, NW, the suspect engaged in unwanted sexual contact with a victim then fled the scene.

The suspect is described as a white or hispanic male, approximately 30-40 years old.

Document: Homicide in Northwest

Metropolitan Police Department detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred on Oct. 2, on the 1200 block of North Capitol Street, NW.

According to a press release, at approximately 11:55 a.m, officers located 22-year-old Antonio Waller suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Document: Homicide in Northeast

Metropolitan Police Department detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred on Oct. 1, on the 1300 block of Adams Street, NE.

According to a press release at approximately 8:24 p.m., officers located 18-year-old Ronald Porter suffering from a apparent gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at an area hospital.

Judge Rejects Homicide Defendant’s Request for Home Confinement

On Sept. 28, a homicide defendant rejected the prosecution’s plea deal, arguing for his release.

David Hahqwon Beale, 24, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm, armed carjacking, and assault with intent to kill for allegedly shooting 43-year-old George Johnson Jr. on the 800 block of Oglethorpe Street, NE on May 7, 2018.

Beale’s attorney, Julie Swaney, said they were ready to move forward with the case after Beale turned down a global plea deal of 19 years in prison.

The murder case is Beale’s only active case. However, in July of 2021, he pleaded guilty to a bail violation. According to the DC Courts, the other cases Beale was charged with were dismissed.

Court documents state that 20 rounds of shots were fired on the 800 blocks of Oglethorpe, NE. Johnson was hit on the left side of his back puncturing his lung, aorta, esophagus, and trachea. A surviving victim was also wounded in his left arm.

Beale allegedly stole a car and $300-$400 from a pizza delivery driver. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers found Beale and his girlfriend in the stolen car several hours later.

Beale requested to be released on 24-hour home confinement.

DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee rejected the request because Beale has a record of not appearing in court. Judge Lee cited missed hearings for his previous felony and misdemeanor cases.

A motions hearing is scheduled for Oct. 11

Beale’s trial is set for June 2023.

Search