The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrested a suspect in connection with a homicide that happened in the early hours of Sept. 30.
At around 1:14 a.m., officers responded to the 3200 block of Hiatt Place, NW for the sound of gunshots.
There, they found 33 year-old John Pollard suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead on the scene.
On Nov. 9, 28 year-old Randle Price was arrested for first-degree murder while armed – felony murder. The case remains under investigation.
Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives from the First District seek the public’s assistance in locating suspects in connection to an armed robbery that involved a gun.
The offense occurred on Friday, Nov. 6 on the 700 block of D Street, SE.
At approximately 2:55 p.m. that day, the suspects entered an establishment at the listed location.
One of the suspects brandished a handgun and demanded money. The suspects took the money and subsequently fled the scene.
The suspects were captured by a surveillance camera and can be seen in form below.
Anyone who can identify these individuals, or has knowledge of this incident should take no action but call police at (202) 727-9099 or text your tip to the Department’s TEXT TIP LINE at 50411.
MPD currently offers a reward of up to $10,000 to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for a violent crime committed in the District of Columbia.
On Nov. 9, DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe released 15 defendants and held nine defendants in DC Jail during initial hearings.
The judge held two defendants in separate fugitive cases and released them in their misdemeanor cases.
Antonio Lucas, 26, and Rasheed Ashton, 27, are both fugitives from justice from Maryland with underlying charges of armed robbery. They are also charged with receiving stolen property in separate cases. Given the nature of the charges in Maryland, they were held to give officials from Maryland three days to pick them up.
A 43-year-old defendant charged with sexual abuse and violating bail was held.
He also appeared in court on a bench warrant for failing to appear at his hearing. The judge held him because of his significant history of show cause hearings.
Judge Pipe held a defendant charged with destruction of property less than $1,000.
Mathew Atkins, 24, was held because of his attempted second-degree burglary charge in a felony case as well as additional cases from the past several years. Judge Pipe said she could not ensure the safety of the community if Atkins was released.
Two defendants charged in separate domestic violence cases were held.
One defendant, charged with contempt for violating a condition of release, was held.
He was held because he could not verbally confirm whether he could comply with the conditions of a potential stay away order, which he had already violated once. He kept on repeating the name “Jesus Christ” throughout his hearing, saying his compliance with court orders depended on Jesus Christ.
The second defendant is charged with assault on a police officer and simple assault.
The judge made the decision to hold the defendant because he is currently on one year supervised probation in two separate cases where he pleaded guilty to unlawful entry onto public property.
Judge Pipe also held Jovahn Cox, who is charged with armed robbery.
The 19-year-old defendant was held due to the serious nature of the charge.
The judge held a defendant who returned on a bench warrant for failing to appear at a pretrial show cause hearing.
He was held because he is in the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) and has an extensive history of bench warrants.
Judge Pipe held a defendant to be rebooked on another case, even though he was released in a separate felony matter.
Of those released, eight defendants are charged in domestic violence cases. Five defendants were given stay away orders and two were given orders not to harass, assault, threaten or stalk (HATS) the alleged victims.
Judge Pipe released five defendants who are charged with felonies. Four of the defendants are charged with carrying a pistol without a license, and one is charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle. Two of the defendants were placed into HISP while another was given a stay away order.
Two final defendants, one charged with disorderly conduct and unlawful possession of ammunition and the other charged with a hit and run, were both released with orders to report to the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA).
A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a Nov. 9 murder hearing to pick back up tomorrow in order to finish the cross-examination and revisit evidence.
Kyree Fields, 20, is charged with the first-degree murder of Keith Rawlings on July 26. The incident occurred on the 800 block of Chesapeake Street SE.
Rawlings was pronounced dead at the scene after being struck by a bullet allegedly fired from a passing vehicle while he was driving. Rawlings then crashed his vehicle into a nearby building.
Today marked the start of the preliminary hearing, which will ultimately determine if the prosecution has enough evidence to go to trial.
Parties ran into a disagreement when defense attorney Kevann Gardner said he wants access to the Body Worn Camera (BWC) footage from the crime scene in order to gain information about the lead Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective’s representations at the crime scene.
Gardner argued that the prosecution is obligated to turn over this material because of the Jenks Act, which requires prosecutors to provide the defense with evidentiary material relating to witness statements upon the defense’s request.
“We’re in this [valley] of speculation where we don’t know whether there is Jencks,” said Gardner.
The prosecutor, however, argued that the Jenks Act did not apply to the BWC, because nothing the detective said at the crime scene qualified as witness statements. She said the detective only asked questions and was primarily the receiver of information.
Judge Neal Kravitz called for a recess that lasted about three and a half hours in order to give the prosecutor time to reevaluate the BWC footage that included the witness in the frame.
Upon returning from the recess, the prosecutor highlighted four instances in which the detective was featured in the BWC footage; however, according to the prosecutor, none of those instances were substantive enough to qualify as Jencks material.
The prosecutor said she would review all audio from the BWC ahead of tomorrow’s hearing. She said she will also check to see if MPD footage picked up audio of the witness when he is not in the frame.
Maria Marzullo wrote this article.
A DC Superior Court judge remotely arraigned two brothers currently living in Georgia on felony murder charges.
Co-defendants Daivion Williams, 22, and Dijon Williams, 21, are charged with felony murder while armed in the death of 30-year-old Nurudeen Thomas, who was fatally shot during a July 21 robbery on the 4100 block of 14 Street, NW.
Dijon Williams is a senior at Georgetown University. He was spending the summer with his brother in their Atlanta home, and was planning to take courses remotely in the fall.
At the time Thomas was killed, the two were visiting friends in DC.
The brothers were arrested in their home in Georgia and were released under the High Intensity Team Supervision (HITS) on a $50,000 bond. They were put on home confinement with GPS monitoring to ensure the public’s safety.
During the Nov. 9 hearing, the defense attorneys requested that an exception be made for their clients’ home confinement order so that they could attend a family reunion.
“This is a murder case,” said the prosecution. “The allegations are that both of these defendants committed a robbery that ended in a homicide and then jetted back to Georgia immediately after.”
Judge Danya Dayson denied the request. “It’s not about punishment, it’s about the safety of the community,” she said.
The Williams brothers’ next hearing is scheduled for Jan. 19.
The case is still under investigation.
Sierra Robbins wrote this article.
A DC Superior Court judge granted a motion to take a domestic violence defendant off GPS monitoring.
The defendant is charged with stalking. During the Nov. 9 hearing, Judge Maribeth Raffinan heard arguments from defense attorney Joseph Wong as well as the prosecution, who opposed the motion.
The prosecutor argued that the GPS was acting as a deterrent for the defendant.
“The main concern is the nature of the allegations,” the prosecutor said.
The defendant allegedly, on three separate occasions, called 911 to report that there was a man with a gun at the victim’s house. The police responded to the calls only to find the allegations were not credible.
The defendant is also alleged to have called the victim and threatened to kill her once her GPS monitor was removed. However, Wong disputed the allegation.
“We absolutely deny that any such threat was made,” he said.
Judge Raffinan ultimately allowed the defendant to remove the monitor.
“I do think, based upon her compliance with the GPS thus far [she will be] in compliance with the stay away no contact [order],” she said
The defendant will no longer be under the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP). Instead, she must report to the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) and return to court for her next hearing, which is scheduled for Jan. 28. She must also continue complying with the stay away-no contact order.
Emily Pengelly wrote this article
A DC Superior Court judge appointed a new attorney for a defendant charged with multiple felonies as a motion to dismiss his case waits to be heard.
Raymond Furman is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, assault with significant bodily injury while armed, simple assault and obstruction of justice.
Furman filed a motion for new counsel on Sept. 2.
During the Nov. 9 hearing, Jonathan Zucker was appointed as his new defense attorney. He said that he has already had multiple phone conversations with the defendant, who has had multiple attorneys withdraw since his case opened in October 2017.
At that time, Furman was arraigned on the assault with intent to kill charge, and has been held at DC Jail ever since. His indictment was filed the following July.
D.C. Witness previously reported that, in October 2019, Furman filed a motion for his case to be dismissed on the argument that his constitutional right to a speedy trial was violated, but the motion has yet to be heard due to changing lawyers and delays from the COVID-19 pandemic.
During an Oct. 5 hearing, Judge Neal Kravitz agreed with the prosecution that new counsel was necessary before considering the motion.
Zucker requested a hearing to discuss the speedy trial issue.
Judge Neal Kravitz scheduled a motion hearing to take place on Jan. 13 and Jan. 14 in response to the prosecution’s request that the hearing takes place over two days due to scheduling issues with witnesses.
On Nov. 9, a felony domestic violence defendant received a fully suspended sentence.
Dimitrious Brown was originally charged with assault with significant bodily injury. However, he pleaded down to a lesser charge of simple assault. He was also sentenced for contempt.
Judge Julie Becker sentenced Brown to one year, all of which was suspended, plus one year of probation.
“We do recognize that Mr. Brown is very young and has made progress, but there were serious injuries to the victim,” said the prosecution.
The assault rendered the victim unconscious, but defense attorney Sellano Simmons said that the victim faints easily when she gets excited.
Judge Becker reduced the stay away to an order not to Harass, Assault, Threaten or Stalk (HATS) the victim. Brown must also pay $150 to the Victims of Violent Crime (VVC) Compensation Fund.
“Mr. Brown, I wish you the best of luck,” said Judge Becker.
Sierra Robbins wrote this article.
Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that happened in the early hours of Nov. 7.
At around 2:56 a.m., officers responded to the the 3300 block of Water Street, NW for the sounds of gunshots. There, they found 19 year-old Franklin Hernandez Arevalo suffering from a gunshot wound.
Arevalo, a resident of Alexandria, Va., was pronounced dead on the scene.
Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that happened on the morning of Nov. 6.
At around 10:44 a.m., officers responded to the the 1700 block of Gales Street, NE for the report of a shooting.
There, they found 41 year-old Demetrius Jones suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He died at a local hospital.
On Nov. 7, a DC Superior Court judge held three defendants and released ten during initial hearings.
A 34-year-old defendant is held on a charge of assault with intent to commit first-degree sexual abuse. He allegedly attempted to sexually assault an employee at a 7-Eleven on the 1300 block of 2nd Street, NE on Nov. 6. The defendant has a criminal history including a conviction of indecent exposure.
“Crimes regarding indecent exposure here are very relevant, because it shows a certain pattern of behavior,” said Judge Heide Herrmann.
Anthony Greene, 52, is being held on a bail violation for failing to appear at court for a case in which he is charged with second-degree theft. Greene’s probation is also revoked in another case in which he is charged with simple assault, unlawful entry onto private property and attempted threats to do bodily harm.
Additionally, Greene is charged with simple assault, attempted second-degree theft, attempted threats to do bodily harm and unlawful entry of a motor vehicle in a new case. Greene allegedly attempted to strangle the victim in his new case.
“In light of the fact he tried to strangle someone, I am going to grant the government’s request for a hold,” Judge Herrmann said.
Judge Herrmann held a domestic violence defendant charged with attempted threats to do bodily harm. The defendant is also held in another case on a charge of second-degree theft, for which he was previously on release.
Three defendants were released on burglary-related felony charges. They were all released with stay away orders.
Two domestic violence defendants were released with stay away orders from the victims and orders to not harass, assault, threaten, or stalk (HATS) anyone under the age of eighteen.
Three defendants, who were brought in on parole violations, were released with orders to report weekly to the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA).
One defendant charged with lewd, indecent or obscene acts was released with a stay away from two witnesses.
A defendant charged with a traffic violation was released on his personal recognizance.
Two defendants charged with misdemeanors are still in the hospital. Their hearings were continued.
This article was written by Maansi Srivastava
Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) have announced an arrest that was made in reference to a first-degree child sexual abuse offense.
The offense occurred on Nov. 4, on the 1700 block of 7 Street, NW. At approximately 8:15 p.m., the suspect allegedly engaged in a sexual act with a minor.
On Nov. 6, a 38 year-old female was arrested and charged with first-degree child sexual abuse.
Emily Pengelly wrote this article.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the public’s help in identifying and locating the suspect connected to a shooting that occurred on Nov. 6.
MPD officers responded to a shooting reported on the 2700 block of Bladensburg Road, NE at 7:22 p.m. Upon arrival, they found two adult males suffering from gunshot wounds. One was transported to an area hospital for treatment and the second sought treatment at a local hospital.
One suspect was captured by a nearby surveillance tape and can be seen in the photo below.
This post was written by Abigail Grifno.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying suspects in connection to a robbery that occurred on Nov. 8 on the 4000 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE.
At around 1:09 a.m., the suspects entered an establishment. One of them brandished a gun and demanded money. The suspects then fled the scene with the money.
The suspects were captured by a nearby surveillance camera and can be seen in the photos below.
Anyone who has any information can contact the police at (202) 727-9099 or text the tip line at 50411.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrested a suspect in connection to burglary cases in the first district.
The first offense occurred on Oct. 24, on the 200 block of 6 Street, NE. The suspect took property from a vehicle and then fled the scene.
Three more offenses took place on Nov. 6. The first one took place at approximately 2:36 a.m. on the 600 block of 3rd Street, NE. The suspect entered an occupied residency and took property.
The second offense on Nov. 6 occurred on the 700 block of 5 Street, NE. The suspect forcefully entered an occupied residence, seized property and fled the scene.
The last offense happened at approximately 11:30 p.m. on the 500 block of 3rd Street, NE. The suspect destroyed residential property and was apprehended by responding officers.
On Nov. 7, a 24 year-old with no fixed address was arrested and charged with the above offenses.
