The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrested a suspect in connection with an unarmed robbery of an M&T Bank on the 2800 block of Alabama Avenue, SE that happened on Nov. 15, 2018.
At around 1:45 p.m. that day, the suspect allegedly entered the bank and passed a note demanding money. The teller complied and the suspect allegedly fled with money.
The 44 year-old suspect was arrested for unarmed bank robbery on Dec. 4.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out four crime alerts in a 12-hour period between 9 p.m. on Dec. 3 and 9 a.m. on Dec. 4.
The MPD sent out three alerts for a robberies involving violence on the 600 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. The alerts were sent at 11:17 p.m., 10:40 p.m. and 10:36 p.m. Police do not have a description of the suspect(s) in these cases.
The final alert was sent at 9:09 p.m. for a shooting investigation on the 700 block of Morton Street, NW. Police do not have a description of the suspect(s).
A DC Superior Court judge held two out of the three defendants whose cases were heard on Dec. 3.
Judge Sherry Trafford found that the evidence against a defendant charged with simple assault and attempted threats to do bodily harm is enough to bring his case to trial. The defendant is accused of holding a victim down onto a bed and hitting her with a belt multiple times. A Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer who responded to the incident testified in court about it.
Defense Attorney Theodore Shaw said the victim is seen, on Body Worn Camera Footage, telling the officer officer “he’s trying to hit me.” However, there was also a call made later that night between the officer and the victim, in which she recanted what she said.
Shaw argued that there was no probable cause as there was no real evidence as the story of the victim continued to change and that there were three to four different stories that had yet to be proven true.
However, the prosecutor said that the change of story wasn’t a complete alteration of what she told the officer that night. The prosecutor said the conversation during the call was a clarification of what happened.
The prosecutor also mentioned the defendant’s long criminal history which extended across three states, as well as his failure to comply with release requirements multiple times.
Judge Trafford agreed with the prosecution, declining to release the defendant because of his dangerous nature from past occurrences and his continued failure to abide by the Pretrial Services Agency conditions.
Trafford decided to hold the defendant until his next status hearing, which is scheduled for Jan. 5.
She also found probable cause in the new charges that another domestic violence defendant picked up in his case.
The defendant’s case began on Sept. 24 when he was charged with simple assault. At the time, he was released with orders to report to the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) and stay away from the victim. Less than a month later, he was arrested again and charged with simple assault and a Civil Protection Order (CPO) violation.
He is only being tried on the two violations of CPO and the newest assault charge as the previous one was quashed.
In the final domestic violence case heard, parties agreed that the defendant charged with simple assault and assault on a police officer could be released into the community.
The defendant allegedly spit on MPD officers who were trying to restrain him after he walked down a street waving his arms and speaking loudly without making sense.
The defendant, who is diagnosed with a bipolar disorder as well as a schizoaffective disorder, has been receiving treatment for mental health.
Parties recognized that, prior to the offense, he had been taking medication for his disorders and was seeking more treatment for them. He was also reporting to court sanctioned treatment but missed a meeting. According to the attorneys, when he did show up the mental health agency turned him away, and he was unable to get medication due to not having an appointment.
Judge Trafford also stated that his criminal record showed that his last criminal offense occurred six years ago.
Judge Trafford chose to release the defendant on a stay away order with the requirements that he report to pretrial services, mental health treatment, and report to the Specialized Supervision Unit (SSU), a unit that deals with defendants who are released with mental health disorders.
A DC Superior Court judge presided over ten pretrial and probation show cause hearings on Dec. 2.
Judge Michael O’Keefe issued a bench warrant for the arrest of one of the defendants, Caleb Johnson, after he failed to show up to his hearing.
Johnson, 22, is charged with escape from an officer. According to the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA,) he has never reported to them by phone. Defense attorney Chidi Ogolo has also not been able to contact his client.
Judge O’Keefe also scheduled sentencing hearings for three defendants who pleaded guilty in their respective cases.
Nineteen year-old co-defendants Raven Southerland and Nyle Fitzgerald were charged with second-degree burglary in June. They pleaded down to second-degree theft. Fitzgerald also pleaded guilty to unlawful entry and Sutherland pleaded guilty to receiving stolen property.
Judge O’Keefe scheduled the two to be sentenced on Dec. 22.
Xiyuan Chang pleaded down from assault with a dangerous weapon to attempted assault with a dangerous weapon.
Chang, 20, fired a BB gun at a victim after a traffic incident on the 1300 block of New York Avenue, NE on March 10, according to the case’s proffer.
Judge O’Keefe scheduled Chang’s sentencing hearing for Jan. 27.
Judge O’Keefe continued hearings for six defendants.
Glendon Kelly is serving 12 months of probation for simple assault.
According to a Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) representative, Kelly has been doing well since September despite having two pending arrests.
Kelly’s two arrests are set for a status hearing for Jan. 25. Judge O’Keefe continued this hearing for Jan. 25 so it could trail his new cases.
Marvin Parker is charged with a DUI and operating a vehicle while impaired.
According to the PSA, Parker has not been compliant with his release conditions and has an extraditable warrant in Prince George’s County, Md. Parker will be sent there in order to resolve the warrant.
Judge O’Keefe scheduled Parker’s next hearing for Dec. 23 in order for him to resolve his outstanding issues and come back into compliance. A possible plea deal is also in the works, according to the prosecution.
Haile Salam is charged with GPS tampering. The 39-year-old defendant was not present at his hearing. A PSA representative said he was arrested for a parole violation on Nov. 17.
Judge O’Keefe continued the hearing to Dec. 23.
A 57-year-old defendant is charged with misdemeanors for sex abuse, threats to do bodily harm, simple assault, attempted threats to do bodily harm, unlawful entry onto private property and contempt in four cases.
During his hearing, he asked Judge O’Keefe for a new lawyer.
“He (defense attorney Stuart Johnson) is horribly ineffective to be diplomatic about it,” said the defendant.
He asked for Lee Johnson to be appointed as his new attorney. Judge O’Keefe was able to contact Johnson and confirm his appointment.
According to the PSA, the defendant has also been in violation of his stay away orders. PSA recommended GPS monitoring.
Judge O’Keefe ordered for the defendant to be placed under GPS monitoring and continued his case for Jan. 26 to give him time to come into compliance with his release conditions.
Leon Harper is serving 15 months of probation for attempted unlawful possession of liquid PCP, a DUI and simple assault in three cases.
According to CSOSA, Harper, 56, has not completed any of his probation requirements and has had three separate arrests for driving without a permit. CSOSA asked for Harper’s probation to be revoked.
Defense attorney Brett Cohen asked Judge O’Keefe to give his client some more time to finish his requirements as it’s been a difficult time during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Judge O’Keefe decided to give Harper until his next Jan. 25 hearing to get into compliance with his probation conditions.
Wendell Pickett is serving nine months of probation for first-degree theft and unauthorized use of a vehicle. Pickett was not present at his hearing.
However, a CSOSA representative explained that he was not able to get in contact with the defendant last week, which is why he didn’t know about the hearing. The representative said he has stayed in touch with them for the most part.
Judge O’Keefe decided to continue the hearing to Jan. 25 to see if Pickett stays in compliance.
A DC Superior Court Judge held 10 defendants, releasing 15 during initial hearings on Dec. 2.
Lester Rowland is charged with attempted threats to do bodily harm, attempted possession of a prohibited weapon, disorderly conduct and simple assault.
On Dec. 1, Rowland, 34, allegedly threatened a victim with a knife and attempted to assault him at a Starbucks on the 3300 block of M Street, NW. Rowland’s defense attorney, Elizabeth Weller, asked that he be released under the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP).
Judge Errol Arthur denied her request and held Rowland until his next hearing, which is scheduled for Dec. 22.
Andre Dubose is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon. According to court documents, Dubose, 30, allegedly assaulted two victims with a metal pole from a bed frame.
Due to the seriousness of the crime, Judge Arthur held Dubose. The defendant’s next court date, which is scheduled for Dec. 23.
Judge Arthur also held Keith London, who is charged with possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.
On the evening of Nov. 8, London, 40, was allegedly involved in a shooting that occurred on the 100 block of P Street, SW. One victim was injured during the shooting but only suffered minor injuries. The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) was able to identify London as their suspect with the help of eyewitness accounts and surveillance footage. When London was arrested, he was allegedly found with heroin as well as prescription drugs, including a drug used to treat opioid addiction.
Terrence Stroman is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for allegedly shooting at a victim outside a Safeway on the 300 block of 40th Street, NE. The offense occurred on the evening of Dec. 1. Stroman, 41, attempted to escape but was detained by two witnesses who saw what had happened.
Stroman is currently being held at DC jail until his next court hearing.
Among those held was Anthony Hargrove, who is charged with assault to commit robbery while armed.
On Dec. 1, Hargrove, 37, along with another suspect, walked into a building located on the 1100 block of Massachusetts Avenue, NW, armed with a firearm. Hargrove allegedly threatened the victim and attempted to steal some marijuana from the facility, which operates as an illegal marijuana shop. Due to the amount of evidence in the court documents Judge Arthur granted the prosecution’s request to detain Hargrove.
Hargrove’s next court date is scheduled for Dec. 23.
Three defendants charged with being fugitives from justice were held. Two, William Williams and Jameise Christian, are wanted in Maryland, and one, William Gage, is wanted in North Carolina. They will be held at the DC jail for three days while waiting for the demanding jurisdiction to come and pick them up.
Enoch Brown IV is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm. Brown, 29, has a previous firearm charge. The prosecution asked that he be detained due to the lack of compliance with his previous conditions.
Judge Arthur granted the prosecution’s request to hold Brown at DC jail until his next court hearing.
The judge also held Larry Hucks, who was brought in on a bench warrant. The defendant is a fugitive from Maryland and failed to turn himself in after being released on Feb. 19.
Judge Arthur released five defendants charged with misdemeanors. The charges include attempted threats to do bodily harm, simple assault, second-degree theft, probation violation and attempted possession of a prohibited weapon. All five defendants were issued stay-away orders from the victims or places of the alleged incidents. The defendants were also required to report to the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA). They are all scheduled to appear in court on May 5, 2021.
Three defendants, charged with being fugitives from the state of Virginia, were released. Their underlying charges include possession of a weapon, vehicle theft, failure to appear in a larceny case and probation violation in an assault case.
Judge Arthur released four defendants with felony charges, including unauthorized use of a vehicle, possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of a firearm. All were released and ordered to report to the PSA.
Three defendants with domestic violence-related charges were released. All three defendants were issued stay-away orders from the victims and places of the alleged incidents. The defendants must return to court on May 5, 2021.
An additional nine defendants had their charges dropped by the prosecution.
Emily Pengelly wrote this article.
Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives seek the public’s help locating suspects and a vehicle of interest in connection with an armed robbery that happened on Dec. 1.
At around midnight, the suspects got out of a vehicle and approached the victim on the 1200 block of Kearney Street, NE. One of them brandished a handgun and demanded the victim’s property, according to a press release. The victim complied and the suspects fled the scene in a vehicle.
The suspects and a vehicle of interest were captured by a surveillance camera.
Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating the fatal shooting of one-year-old Carmelo Duncan on Dec. 2.
At around 9:35 p.m., officers responded to the 5700 block of Southern Avenue, SE for the report of a shooting.
When they got there, DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services told them that they had taken the victim, unconscious and unresponsive, to an area hospital. He was ultimately pronounced dead after all life-saving efforts failed.
Detectives’ investigation revealed that the Duncan sustained multiple gunshot wounds while inside a vehicle.
The MPD offers up to $25,000 to anyone who provides information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for any homicide that happens in DC. The ATF and the Washington Field Division has offered an additional $25,000 and the FBI Washington Field Office has offered an additional $10,000 in this case.
Two people, one 52 years-old and the other 21 years-old, were arrested for distribution of child pornography on Dec. 2.
The two are accused of distributing, receiving and possessing images of child pornography.
Between 9 p.m. on Dec. 2 and 9 a.m. on Dec. 3, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out three crime alerts.
The most recent alert was sent at 1:35 a.m. for a shooting on the 1400 block of Eastern Avenue, NE. Police do not have a description of the suspect(s).
An alert was sent at 10:47 p.m. for a confirmed stabbing on the 600 block of Girard Street, NE. The police know who the suspect is.
The final alert was sent at 10:34 p.m. for a shooting on the 5700 block of East Capitol Street, SE. Police are looking for a black Mazda SUV with dark tinted windows. It was last seen going towards Southern Avenue, SE.
On Dec. 2, a DC Superior Court judge granted a continuance for a contested mental competency hearing for a defendant in an assault case.
Devonte Wright , 21, is charged with assault with the intent to kill while armed for allegedly stabbing a child on May 27 on the 1700 block of Benning Road, SE.
Judge Neal Kravitz agreed to move the hearing to Feb. 18 to give both parties more time to share their respective mental competency reports. He also scheduled a status hearing for Feb. 8 to see where both parties are and if the case is ready to proceed.
Judge Kravitz set a deadline for Feb. 1 for an updated mental competency examination report from the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH).
The defense’s expert’s report on Wright’s examination is due on Feb 3. All supporting documents from the prosecution and defense are due on Feb. 5.
Wright is currently held at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s psychiatric hospital, where he has been since early July.
This article was written by Yasmeen McGettrick.
A DC Superior Court judge scheduled hearings in three murder cases on Dec. 2.
Judge Ronna Beck scheduled another hearing for Romiel Hightower for April. 27.
Hightower, 30, is charged with first-degree murder while armed on July 21, 2019, for allegedly shooting Jamal Bandy, 27, on April 29 on the 1300 block Congress Street, SE.
During the Dec. 2 hearing, defense attorney Jason Tulley said the nine-month window for the prosecution to indict his client has passed.
“My client is sitting in jail without being indicted,” said Tulley.
Tulley asked the prosecutor if there was a timeframe of when an indictment would be issued. The prosecution did not have a time available.
According to an amended order from Chief Judge Anita Josey-Herring, deadlines for indictments have been suspended. The order also stated DC Superior Court will not be conducting jury trials for the foreseeable future in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Written notice will be provided 60 days before jury trials resume in order to give lawyers time to prepare.
“It’s a terrible situation,” said Judge Beck.
Defense attorney Dana Page, who was representing Ch’Juan Robinson, raised the same issue on the record after scheduling a hearing date.
Judge Beck said there are no new grand jury meetings taking place at the moment.
Robinson, 23, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Louis Eugene Kingsbury, 34. The incident took place on the 200 block of New York Avenue, NW.
Judge Beck scheduled a status hearing for Robinson on May 10.
Judge Beck also scheduled a hearing for Samuel Davis on May 6.
Davis, 61, is charged with second-degree murder for allegedly strangling Mawuli Kocuvie, 53, on Oct. 28, 2017. The incident took place on the 1700 block of Benning Road, NE.
Davis entered a guilty plea on July 13, 2018.
Maria Marzullo wrote this article.
A defendant’s hearing was continued to December by a DC Superior Court judge because the defendant had questions about plea deal paperwork that he was required to sign.
Jordan Therman, 21, is charged with assault with the intent to kill while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business and unlawful possession of ammunition. On May 2, 2019, Therman was allegedly involved in a shoot-out at a Shell Gas Station on the 4700 block of South Capitol Street, SE, which resulted in one person being hospitalized.
During the Dec. 2 hearing, Judge Danya Dayson asked the defendant to sign the paperwork. When she got to the page that details the facts the prosecution would have proved if the case had gone to trial, Therman objected to the statements.
Judge Dayson scheduled an additional hearing on Dec. 29 to continue the plea hearing because the court was running short on time.
Therman has been held in DC Jail since May 25, 2019.
While detained, Therman also picked up a simple assault charge after being involved in a fight with three others within the correctional facility. This new case is also included in the plea agreement.
Sierra Robbins wrote this article.
A burglary defendant’s sentencing was postponed to Dec. 30 after a DC Superior Court judge expressed concern about the defendant’s understanding of the plea deal he previously accepted.
In February, 41 year-old Thomas Powell pleaded guilty to attempted second-degree burglary for stealing a currency dispenser from a Subway on the 20th block of M Street, SE on Dec. 30, 2019. The prosecution’s deal allowed him to plead down from his original charge of second-degree burglary.
Since then, Powell has been on standby, waiting for the judge assigned to his case to approve the plea.
During the Dec. 2 hearing, Powell appeared to demonstrate a lack of full understanding of what the plea deal means for his case and the sentence he would receive.
“Are you pleading guilty because you are guilty?” Judge Julie Becker asked him.
“Do you want me to be honest, ma’am,” replied Powell, “because I’m not sure.”
The prosecution said that if the defense is no longer going forward with the plea deal, it will be scrapped and the defendant would be indicted on additional charges.
The plea deal is also contingent upon the parties agreeing that Powell will be sentenced to a total of three years and eight months and nothing less.
“The court’s hands are certainly not tied in giving a fair sentence, given all the circumstances,” argued defense attorney Randy McDonald.
Judge Becker told McDonald that it was impossible for his client to receive a lesser sentence due to the nature of the agreed upon plea deal.
Judge Becker decided to continue the sentencing to allow Powell to talk more with his attorney. The defendant will have to remain at DC Jail, where he has been held since the day of the offense.
“If I could beg you to please proceed today, please, your honor, I would be so grateful,” said Powell. “I’ve been through so much in the jail.”
“I can only accept your guilty plea if you truly believe that you are guilty and I am not convinced,” said Judge Becker. “We will not be doing this today, and I will not change my mind about that.”
Sierra Robbins wrote this article.
A DC Superior Court judge held four defendants in jail and released 11 during initial hearings on Dec. 1.
Eleasin Dewhitt, 19, is being charged with armed robbery for an offense that occurred on Nov. 30 on the 3000 block of New Hampshire Avenue, NW. Dewhitt and two other suspects are accused of beating a man at the Petworth Metro Station in Northwest DC and stealing his cell phone before fleeing the scene on a train.
According to court documents, the victim told police officers that one of the men had a knife at the time and was pressing it against his body, although it never broke through his clothes or skin.
In addition, the victim could not identify Dewhitt as one of the men who participated in the robbery.
However, Judge Errol Arthur found probable cause because the police believed his face is clearly visible in camera footage taken outside the train station. Judge Arthur denied Dewhitt’s release given the serious nature of the offense.
Davon Monk, 23, is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction and possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device. The offense occurred on Nov. 30 at Union Station in which Monk, along with another suspect, are accused of stealing a backpack from a victim and fleeing the scene before being arrested by an Amtrak police officer.
The judge decided to hold Monk, given his criminal history.
Perry White, 26, is charged with simple assault, assault on a police officer and obstruction of justice.
According to court documents, the offense occurred on Dec. 1 on the 400 block of 8th Street, SE in which the suspect allegedly approached a Starbucks worker and asked for a free cup of coffee. After being denied, he repeatedly punched the victim in the body and face.
Judge Arthur found White a danger to the community given the physical violence of the alleged incident and decided to hold him at DC Jail until his next hearing.
Brandon Bishop is charged with being a fugitive from justice in the Commonwealth of Virginia for contempt of court and second-degree theft in a separate, DC case.
Bishop, 33, was also brought before the court on two bench warrants for failing to appear at probation hearings. The underlying convictions in his probation cases are second-degree theft and lewd, indecent or obscene acts.
Judge Arthur released Bishop on his new charges of second-degree theft and being a fugitive from justice, however, he held him on two outstanding bench warrants for noncompliance with probation and failure to appear in court.
Bishop implored Judge Arthur to release him, saying he was “burying [his] grandfather” on the court dates he missed.
Even though the judge heard him out, he maintained his decision for the hold.
Of the 11 defendants released by Judge Arthur, four of them are charged with misdemeanors. The charges of the defendants include unlawful entry of public property, possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia, receiving stolen property, destruction of property and lewd, indecent or obscene acts. Two of the defendants were given stay-away orders while all were ordered to report to the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA).
Judge Arthur released two defendants who are charged with felonies. The charges were carrying a pistol without a license, second-degree burglary and second-degree theft. The judge ordered one of the defendants to not possess any firearms and the other to wear a GPS monitoring device and stay-away from the location of the alleged incident.
Three defendants charged as fugitives from justice were also released. They were all ordered to turn themselves in to authorities in either Virginia or Maryland as soon as possible in order to deal with their warrants.
Judge Arthur released one defendant charged in a domestic violence case and one defendant charged with a traffic offense. The domestic violence defendant was ordered not to harass, assault, threaten or stalk (HATS) two alleged victims.
Six defendants had their charges dropped by the prosecution.
Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) are asking the public’s help locating a vehicle of interest in connection with an assault with a dangerous weapon offense that happened on the evening of Dec. 1.
At around 7:11 p.m., officers responded to the 1400 block of Good Hope Road, SE for the report of a shooting. There, they found two juvenile males suffering from gunshot wounds. The victims were taken to a hospital.
The vehicle of interest is described as a newer model black SUV with a roof rack. It was captured by a nearby surveillance camera.
