Crime Alerts: July 13-14

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out eight crime alerts between 9:00 p.m. on July 13 and 9:00 a.m. on July 14.

A crime alert was sent out at 11:07 p.m. due to a robbery at the 2500 block of Naylor Road, SE. The suspect was identified the suspect as a 14-16-year-old Black juvenile male wearing black clothing, a black mask and is armed.

An alert was sent out at 12:02 a.m. due to a robbery at the 900 block of East Capitol Street, NE. The suspects were identified as three Black males with black ski masks.

An alert was sent out at 1:02 a.m. due to a robbery investigation at the 4200 block of Connecticut Avenue, NW. The suspects were identified as four juveniles who were armed.

An alert was sent out at 1:29 a.m. due to a robbery investigation at the 5000 block of Sargent Road, NE. The suspects were identified as four juveniles who are armed.

An alert was sent out at 2:06 a.m. due to a robbery at the 4400 block of Benning Road, NE. Police identified the suspect as a Black male wearing black clothing, a black ski mask and armed with a handgun.

An alert was sent out at 3:03 a.m. due to a robbery investigation at the 1300 block of Parkwood Place, NE. The suspects were identified as two Black males and two Black females.

A crime alert was sent out at 4:07 a.m. due to a robbery investigation at the 900 block of Alabama Avenue, SE. The suspect was identified as a Black male wearing white tennis shoes.

A final crime alert was sent out at 4:19 a.m. due to a robbery at the 2500 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. Police identified the suspects as four Black males in an SUV.

Judge Sentences Sex Abuse Defendant to Five Years in Prison

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a sex abuse defendant to five years in prison.

Michael Cox, 35, pleaded guilty to first-degree sexual abuse back in March.

According to the proffer of facts, the victim was walking down a street on the 3900 block of Chesapeake Street, NW, in December 2020, when she saw the defendant approach her from behind. He placed a knife to her neck and said, “Do whatever I tell you, or I’ll kill you.” The defendant then threw her to the ground and sexually assaulted her. Two witnesses who heard the victim’s screams said the victim was eventually able to break free, but Cox came after all three of them with a knife. The three escaped, and Cox retreated inside a vehicle that did not belong to him.

During the July 13 hearing, Judge Milton Lee sentenced Cox to five years in prison followed by five years of supervised release. He will receive credit for the approximately seven months he has already served in pretrial detention. He must also pay $100 to the Victims of Violent Crime compensation fund.

“I hope that you feel regret and guilt because you have hurt me in ways that I didn’t know how I could be hurt,” the victim told Cox in an impact statement. “I don’t want any other girl to go through this.”

Key Witness Continues Testimony in Murder Trial

A defendant who said she had close ties with two murder defendants continued her testimony at their trial.

Nyekemia Everett, 35, and Malik Hewitt, 41, are charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 37-year-old Christopher Heard on the 2300 block of Ainger Place, SE, on April 27, 2017. The prosecution alleges that the two defendants plotted to rob and kill Heard, who was selling the drug PCP to make money after having recently been released from jail. They allege that Everett shot Heard, while Hewitt acted as the getaway driver.

However, the defense attorneys deny that their clients were involved in a robbery. During opening arguments, Everett’s attorney, Michael Madden, said Heard was high on PCP and attempting to rob this witness on the day of the homicide. The witness confirmed on July 9 that she initially told the police this, but now says it was a lie.

During the July 12 hearing, defense attorney Nikki Lotze showed video footage of the witness’ testimony. The footage shows her changing her story after a detective told her she was “going to be f***ed” if she lied.

Lotze asked the witness if detectives intimidated her into lying about her story to keep herself safe. The witness denied this.

“He wanted to convey the point that I better tell the truth,” she said. “The police were just doing their job.”

Lotze pointed to the witness’s previous testimony that she fell asleep in the getaway car shortly after the homicide, suggesting it indicates that she didn’t think she did anything wrong. The witness disagreed, saying she fell asleep because she was high at the time.

Defense attorney Michael Madden also said her initial story had “an impressive amount of detail for a lie” during cross-examination.

On July 9, the witness confirmed that she was receiving a plea deal for her testimony and that she could have been charged with felony murder, but took a plea deal that capped her potential sentence at 15 years for robbery conspiracy. She said she is hoping to receive a probation-only sentence.

After her testimony concluded, a witness who was a corrections officer at the time of the homicide took the stand. He explained DC Jail policy with inmate phone calls, visits and interactions during recreation time. DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz said he will continue his testimony when the trial resumes on July 13.

Hewitt is also charged with possession of a firearm during an act of violence, felony murder while armed and conspiracy in this case. Everett is also charged with possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm, fleeing a law enforcement officer, attempt to commit robbery while armed, conspiracy and obstructing justice.

Judge Finds Probable Cause in Child Sex Abuse Case

A DC Superior court judge ruled that a child sex abuse case has enough evidence to go to trial.

The defendant is charged with second-degree child sex abuse and simple assault. He is accused of sexually abusing a 12-year-old victim and assaulting an 11-year-old victim.

During the July 12 hearing, the lead Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective on the case testified that the alleged offense happened when the defendant was left alone with approximately six children at an apartment complex on the 3100 block of Buena Vista Terrace, SE.

The detective said the defendant told him during an interview that he and the 12-year-old’s mother were smoking marijuana together and getting to know each other when the mother asked the defendant to talk to her daughter about dating. The mother denies this, according to the detective.

The detective also said the mother did not give the defendant permission to enter her house with no other adults present.

Once in the home, the defendant allegedly told the first victim to come into a bedroom with him.

According to court documents, the defendant allegedly touched the 12-year-old inappropriately and asked for a kiss. She told him, “no,” and ran out of the room.

When officers interviewed the children who were in the house at the time, they told officers that they tried to listen while in the hallway but the defendant told them to move, the detective said.

After the first victim ran out of the room, the defendant allegedly asked to talk to the second victim and closed the door behind them. Once in the room, the defendant asked if she was dating or had a boyfriend, according to court documents. When the second victim tried to run away, the defendant allegedly grabbed her arm, but she was eventually able to get away.

The judge found probable cause and put Thompson on home confinement with GPS monitoring. His next court date is scheduled for Oct. 6.

Judge Holds One Domestic Violence Defendant During Presentments

A DC Superior Court judge held one domestic violence defendant during presentments on July 12.

In total, 38 defendants were presented before the court. Six defendants were charged in domestic violence cases.

The one domestic violence defendant who was held is charged with simple assault, attempted possession of a prohibited weapon and attempted threats to do bodily harm. He is scheduled to return to court on July 27.

Judge Judith Pipe released five domestic violence defendants, whose charges include simple assault, contempt, second-degree theft and destruction of property less than $1,000. One defendant was only given a no Harassment, Assault, Threaten or Stalk (HATS) order, three were only given stay away orders and one was given both.

The released defendants are scheduled to return to court on Nov. 1 and 22.

Crime Alerts: July 12-13

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out four crime alerts between 9:00 p.m. on July 12 and 9:00 a.m. on July 14.

A crime alert was sent out at 12:30 a.m. due to a robbery at the 300 block of 14th Street, SE. Police identified the suspects as three Black males in a White Nissan Rogue.

A second crime alert was sent out at 12:38 a.m. due to a robbery on the corner of South Carolina Avenue and Kentucky Avenue, SE. Police identified the suspects as three Black males in a White Nissan Rogue.

A third crime alert was sent out at 1:25 a.m. due to a robbery at the 1900 block of 17th Street, NW. Police identified the suspects as two Black males. One was wearing a black shirt with dark-colored jeans and was riding a Capitol Berkshire bike, while the other was wearing dark clothing with a black ski mask.

A final crime alert was sent out at 2:01 a.m. due to a robbery at 2300 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. Police identified the suspects as two Black males. One was wearing a grey t-shirt and was armed with a handgun while the other was wearing a white tank top.

Judge Sentences Domestic Violence Defendant for Stabbing Victim

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a domestic violence defendant for stabbing her victim.

Asia Vaughn was initially charged with assault with a dangerous weapon in March but pleaded down to attempted assault with a dangerous weapon in April.

During the July 7 hearing, Judge Robert Okun sentenced Vaughn to 24 months, 12 of which were suspended, plus two years of supervised probation.

Judge Okun also sentenced her to serve 30 days for two counts of simple assault and one count of unlawful entry in a misdemeanor case. The three 30 days sentences will run concurrent to one another, but consecutive to the sentence in the domestic violence case.

The defendant has been held in pretrial detention since she picked up the domestic violence case in March. She will receive credit for time served.

As part of her probation, Vaughn must partake in drug and mental health assessment and treatment as deemed necessary by the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency.

Vaughn must also pay $100 to the Victims of Violent Crime compensation fund.

Judge Orders Another Competency Evaluation for Murder Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge ordered additional screening to determine if a homicide defendant is competent to stand trial.

John Woods, 67, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the Feb. 19 shooting of 60-year-old Geno Freeman on the 6000 Block of Chillum Place, NE.

After a mental evaluation performed at DC Jail came back inconclusive in June, Woods was transferred to St. Elizabeths Hospital, DC’s psychiatric institution, D.C. Witness previously reported. He then received another evaluation at the hospital.

During the July 12 hearing, Judge Michael Ryan said he was unable to determine Woods’ competency based on the report from St. Elizabeths and ordered another evaluation.

Judge Ryan scheduled Woods’ next hearing for Aug. 12.

Document: Suspect Sought in First Degree Sexual Abuse, Kidnapping and Armed Carjacking Offenses

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a first-degree sexual abuse, kidnapping and armed carjacking (gun) offense that occurred on July 11.

At about 5:15 p.m. in the 4500 Block of 9th Street, NW, the suspect approached the victim, who was sitting in their vehicle. The suspect displayed a gun and entered the victim’s vehicle. The suspect then forced the victim to drive to the 500 block of Crittenden Street, NW. The suspect then “engaged in a forced sex act with the victim” and fled the scene in the victim’s vehicle, according to the press release.

The suspect was described as a 19-20-year-old Black male wearing a white tee-shirt, green basketball shorts, a black ski mask and rectangular-shaped black glasses, according to the press release.

Witness Alleged by Defense to be Unreliable Takes Stand in Murder Trial

A witness in a murder trial, whose reliability has been questioned by the defense, took the stand on July 9.

Nyekemia Everett, 35, and Malik Hewitt, 41, are charged with first-degree murder while armed in the death of 37-year-old Christopher Heard in the early hours of April 27, 2017, on the 2300 block of Ainger Place, SE. The prosecution alleges that the two defendants plotted to rob and kill Heard, who was selling the drug PCP to make money after having recently been released from jail. They allege that Everett shot Heard while Hewitt acted as the getaway driver.

During opening arguments on July 6, Everett’s attorney, Michael Madden, said that on the day of the homicide, Heard was high on PCP and attempting to rob the witness who testified on July 9 of $15. Madden said the witness had initially supported this narrative when talking with police, but changed her story after a detective suggested she was potentially liable.

“The only evidence that Mr. Hewitt was involved in any robbery comes from [this witness], and it will become clear to you that she cannot be trusted,” said Hewitt’s attorney, Nikki Lotze, during her opening arguments.

The witness testified that she was with the two defendants before, during and after Heard’s death. She said that she and Everett picked up Hewitt on the afternoon of April 26. She said Everett told her and Hewitt that he needed money, and Hewitt said Heard supposedly had a lot of money from selling PCP.

She went on to testify that Everett instructed her to drive them to a convenience store in Southeast, DC, and buy him a ski mask. Afterward, Everett dialed Heard’s number on his cell phone and gave the phone to her, she said. The witness said the defendants told her to ask Heard if he had PCP, explaining that, since she is a woman, his guard wouldn’t be as high when selling drugs to her.

The witness said the defendants had her call Heard several times throughout the night. Eventually, Heard told the witness to come to a housing complex on the 2300 block of Ainger Place, SE, where Heard was staying, to purchase “sticks” (PCP-laced cigarettes), she said.

The prosecution played surveillance footage of a black car arriving at the housing complex at around 3:50 a.m. on April 27. A man and a woman are seen getting out of the car, which the witness said was a BMW. The witness identified herself as the woman and Everett as the man.

The surveillance footage shows the woman approaching Heard between two SUVs to buy the PCP. While they were between the two SUVs, the man alleged to be Everett approached the two of them with a gun in his hand. The footage shows him pointing the gun towards Heard. According to the witness, Heard lunged at Everett while the gun was pointed at him.

The witness said a brief altercation occurred between the two men before one shot went off, followed by two more about 45 seconds later.

The footage then shows the BMW pulling up. The two get into the car and drive away. The witness identified Hewitt as the driver.

During cross-examination, the witness confirmed that she was offered a plea deal for her testimony. She also confirmed that she could have been charged with felony murder, but took a plea deal that capped her potential sentence at 15 years for robbery conspiracy. However, she said she is hoping to receive a probation-only sentence for her testimony.

Lotze played 2017 footage of police questioning the witness following her initial arrest. There, the witness is seen giving a different story, telling the police she wanted to try PCP, which is why they called Heard. She told the officers that the incident was not supposed to be a robbery. The witness said she initially told this lie to protect herself and Everett. She also said she was worried about what Everett would do to her family if he found out she told the truth to the cops.

The defense is scheduled to finish their cross-examination on July 12.

Everett is also charged with possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm, fleeing a law enforcement officer, attempt to commit robbery while armed, conspiracy and obstructing justice in this case. Hewitt is also charged with possession of a firearm during an act of violence, felony murder while armed and conspiracy in this case.

Judge Holds Two Domestic Violence Defendants During Presentments

On July 10, 31 defendants were brought before DC Superior Court Judge Craig Iscoe for presentments. Two domestic violence defendants were held while four were released.

One domestic violence defendant is charged with simple assault. Judge Iscoe learned that he also has a felony case currently pending indictment and decided to hold him.

Another domestic violence defendant is charged with threats to do bodily harm and contempt for allegedly violating release orders in another domestic violence case. This alleged violation prompted Judge Iscoe to hold him.

The four released domestic violence defendants picked up charges including simple assault and contempt. All of them were given stay away orders.

The held defendants are scheduled to return to court on July 27. The released defendants are scheduled to return to court on Oct. 29.

Document: Suspect Sought in Burglary and Sex Abuse Offenses

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a burglary one and fourth-degree sexual
abuse offense that occurred on July 9.

At about 10:15 a.m. the victim woke up to find the suspect in her home. The suspect “engaged in unwanted sexual contact with the victim, took personal property belonging to the victim and fled the scene,” according to the press release.

The suspect is described as a Black male who is about 5 feet 9 inches tall, 20 to 26-years-old with wavy hair and wearing a brown short sleeve shirt with dark pants, according to the press release.

Document: Homicide Investigation

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred on July 9.

At about 10:59 p.m. officers responded to the 1400 block of 41^st Street, SE, due to reports of gunshots. Officers found three victims suffering from gunshot wounds, two of which were treated for non-life threatening injuries. One victim, 45-year-old Willie Parker, was pronounced dead on scene from gunshot wounds, according to the press release.

Document: Homicide Investigation

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred on July 9.

At about 9:04 p.m. Prince George’s County Fire and EMS personnel responded to the 3300 block of Southern Avenue, SE, due to a report of an overturned vehicle, according to the press release.

Muntsier Sharfi, 24, was pronounced dead on scene from gunshot wounds. After an investigation, detectives concluded that the homicide occurred on the 3300 block of Erie Street, SE.

Judge Releases One Domestic Violence Defendant, Holds Another During Presentments

A DC Superior Court judge released one domestic violence defendant and held another during presentments on July 9.

A total of 29 defendants were presented before the court.

The held domestic violence defendant is charged with second-degree theft and violating a Civil Protection Order (CPO). Because the defendant allegedly did not comply with a stay away order he received in a previous case, Judge Renee Raymond decided to hold him. He is scheduled to return to court on July 16.

The other domestic violence defendant is also charged with violating a CPO. Judge Raymond decided to release him with GPS monitoring. He also put another CPO in place.

The defendant will return to court on Oct. 29.

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