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Document: Suspect Sought in First-Degree Sex Abuse Offense

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a first-degree sex abuse case that occurred on July 15.

At about 11:44 p.m. at the 2900 block of 30th Street, SE, the suspect approached the victim and forced the victim to engage in an unwanted sexual act. The victim fled the scene and alerted police.

The suspect was described as a Black male who is about 35-45 years old and 5 feet eight inches to 5 feet ten inches tall. The suspect was last seen wearing a white tank top, dark pants, a blue surgical mask and carrying a dark-colored crossbody bag.

Crime Alerts: June 15-16

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out three crime alerts between 9:00 p.m. on July 15 and 9:00 a.m. on July 16.

A crime alert was sent out at 10:18 p.m. due to a stabbing at the 5200 block of Hayes Street, NE. Police do not have information on the suspect(s).

A second alert was sent out at 4:29 a.m. due to a robbery investigation at the 1200 block of Park Road, NW. The suspects were identified as two Black males in a white Honda sedan and one Black female wearing a red shirt.

A final crime alert was sent out at 8:48 a.m. due to a robbery investigation at the 700 block of C Street, SE. Officers identified the suspect as a Black male wearing a beige shirt who was last seen fleeing at the 200 block of 9th Street.

Defense Questions Reliability of Defendant’s Cellmate During Murder Trial

A murder defendant’s cellmate testified at his trial on July 14.

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.

The witness had been Malik’s cellmate since 2018. He also said he has known Hewitt for about 20 years. 

The prosecution played multiple phone calls from DC Jail, where the witness is recorded talking with a woman he referred to as his “play sister” in April 2018. He is heard asking her to contact another witness in the case who says she was with the defendants before, during and after the homicide and is receiving a plea deal in exchange for testifying against them. The cellmate is heard telling the woman on the phone that he wants this witness to stop cooperating with the prosecution. He is also heard asking the woman for a favor in regards to his own case.

The cellmate is now charged with obstruction of justice.

This cellmate testified at the defendants’ last trial, which ended in a mistrial due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During cross-examination, defense attorney Nikki Lotze repeatedly showed records of his previous testimony to point out contradictions between the information he gave then and the information he is giving now.

The trial will resume on July 15.

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.

Parties Await Autopsy Report from April Homicide

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a status hearing to determine if the defense will be requesting a preliminary hearing to decide if a homicide case has enough evidence to go to trial.

Nathan Hunter, 39, is charged with second-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 44-year-old Ronald Mcknight on April 18, on the 1600 block of 7th Street, NW. 

During the July 14 hearing, defense attorney Frances D’ Antuono said parties are still waiting on the autopsy report from the medical examiner’s office. Antuno also said the defense still hasn’t received video evidence from the prosecution, who said they will turn it over as soon as possible. 

Judge Milton Lee scheduled a status hearing for Aug. 19.

Judge Releases Eight Domestic Violence Defendants During Presentments

A DC Superior Court judge released eight domestic violence defendants during presentments on July 14.

In total, 25 defendants were presented before the court. 

The charges for the domestic violence defendants include simple assault, possession of a prohibited weapon, attempted possession of a prohibited weapon, threats to do bodily harm, attempted threats to do bodily harm and second-degree theft.

Judge Judith Pipe issued stay-away orders for four of the released defendants. Three other defendants were given a no Harassment, Assault, Threaten or Stalk order. One defendant received neither.

Seven of the defendants are scheduled to return to court on Nov. 3. The other defendant will return to court on July 22.

Crime Alerts: July 14-15

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out one crime alert between 9:00 p.m. on July 14 and 9:00 a.m. on July 15.

A crime alert was sent out due to a robbery while armed in the 3300 block of Carpenter Street, SE. The suspects were identified as two Black males wearing white shirts and blue jeans.

Judge Schedules Prelim for Child Sex Abuse Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a hearing to determine if a sex abuse case has enough evidence to go to trial.

The 30-year-old defendant is charged with first-degree child sex abuse and second-degree child sex abuse. He is accused of sexually abusing a 10-year-old relative in a Northwest, DC apartment on multiple occasions between August 2018 and August 2020. 

Judge Milton Lee scheduled the preliminary hearing for Aug. 8.

Judge Denies Request to Release Murder Defendant Awaiting Indictment

A DC Superior Court judge continued a July 14 hearing in a murder case to give the prosecution more time to indict the defendant. 

Knico Wheaton, 24, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 41-year-old Tavon Cox on Jan 11, 2020, on the 700 block of 24th Street, NW. 

During the July 14 hearing, defense attorney David Richter pointed out that his client has spent about 15 months in jail since his arrest, but still has yet to be indicted. Because of this, he asked Judge Milton Lee to release Wheaton into home confinement.

Citing the evidence in the case and Wheaton’s arrest history, Judge Lee said he did not feel comfortable releasing the defendant. However, he told the prosecution that they should return an indictment as soon as possible. 

Judge Lee scheduled Wheaton’s next hearing for Sept. 21. 

Trial Testimony Sheds Light on Homicide Investigation

Several witnesses were called to testify about different components of a homicide investigation during the two co-defendants’ 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.

The witnesses who testified during the July 13 proceedings included an expert firearms and tool mark examiner. He said he examined the revolver believed to be the murder weapon and tested it for functionality.

“When I pulled the trigger the firearm functioned as designed, it was able to discharge a bullet,” he said.  

Phone records from a major mobile texting and phone call application company are also being used as evidence in this case. An executive employee at the company testified that the app allows users to message with a separate phone number that, while different from the phone’s standard SIM card phone number, is still trackable by phone records. 

Everett was the first of the two defendants to be arrested. He was taken into custody on May 12, 2017. A member of the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force detailed the police chase that ended in his arrest.

He testified that the chase started on Highway 295, SE. After some time, Everett exited briefly to Highway 395 towards Howard Road. The chase eventually went back onto Highway 295, where Everett collided with a pole and was apprehended while fleeing on foot, the officer said. The officer also testified that Everett was driving 80 MPH throughout the chase. 

The trial will resume on July 14. 

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.

Sex Abuse Defendant Found Competent to Stand Trial

A DC Superior Court judge found a sex abuse defendant competent to stand trial on July 14.

The 42-year-old defendant is charged with first-degree burglary and attempted second-degree sexual abuse for allegedly entering a home in Northwest, DC, and exposing himself in the victim’s bedroom on May 21. 

Defense attorney Ferguson Evans said he has a plea offer to discuss with the defendant. 

Judge Milton Lee scheduled a felony status conference for Aug. 9 to give parties time to decide how they would like to proceed with the case.

Judge Holds One Sex Abuse Defendant, One Domestic Violence Defendant During Presentments

A DC Superior Court judge held one sexual abuse defendant and one domestic violence defendant during presentments on July 13. 

In total, 31 defendants were presented. This included four domestic violence defendants and one sex abuse defendant.

One defendant is charged with first-degree sexual abuse for allegedly forcing the victim into oral sex while he was driving. Judge Judith Pipe decided to hold him due to previous kidnapping and carjacking cases where, according to Judge Pipe, he did not comply with release conditions. He is scheduled to return to court on Aug. 4.  

The held domestic violence defendant is charged with simple assault, attempted threats to do bodily harm and attempted possession of a prohibited weapon. He was given a stay away and scheduled to return to court on Aug. 11. 

Judge Pipe released three domestic violence defendants. 

One of the released domestic violence defendants is charged with simple assault and contempt. He is scheduled to return to court on Aug. 13. Another released domestic violence defendant is charged with assault with significant bodily injury. He is scheduled to return to court on Nov. 11. The third released domestic violence defendant is charged with simple assault, unlawful entry and attempted possession of a prohibited weapon. He is scheduled to return to court on Nov. 12.

Document: Suspect Arrested in Homicide Investigation

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) has made an arrest in relation to a May 11 homicide.

At about 3:51 a.m. officers responded to the 1500 block of Maryland Avenue, NE, due to reports of an unconscious person. Police found 43-year-old Kareem Elliot Watkins and pronounced him dead on scene from stab wounds.

On June 3  law enforcement officers in Fulton County, Georgia arrested Byron Brooks due to a DC Superior Court arrest warrant. After going through the extradition process, Brooks, 35, was charged with second-degree murder on July 8.

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.”