Sex Abuse Defendant Found Competent to Stand Trial

On Nov. 16, a DC Superior Court judge found a defendant competent to stand trial.

The 19-year-old defendant is charged with assault with intent to commit third-degree sex abuse and misdemeanor sex abuse.

He is accused of making making non consensual sexual contact with two victims on Sept. 10. According to court documents, one of the the incidents took place on the 1700 block of Frankford Street, SW, and the other on the 2300 block of Aigner Place, SE. The defendant allegedly approached both victims, grabbing them from behind.

The defendant is also charged with misdemeanor sex abuse in another case for allegedly inappropriately touching a victim and then fleeing the scene on Sept. 5 on the 1600 block of Morris Road, SE.

After finding the defendant competent, Judge Michael Ryan scheduled a misdemeanor initial status hearing for Dec. 11 and a felony status conference for Dec. 12.

Emily Pengelly wrote this article.

Defendant Pleads Guilty in Felony Case

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a defendant for sentencing after he pleaded guilty.

On Nov. 16, Tywone Sommers pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction.

On March. 12, Sommers, 24, got into a verbal argument with the victim at a convenience store. After their fight, the victim left and got into his car. Sommers then followed the victim to the 4000 block of 8 Street, SE., where he pulled out a firearm and fired eight shots at him. One bullet hit the victim, causing minor injuries.

“I have had enough to think about my decision, and I am ready to take full responsibility and serve my sentence,” Sommers said.

Sommers defense attorney Michael Bruckheim asked Judge Michael O’Keefe if he could carry out the sentencing today. However, the prosecution opposed the defense’s request for the sentencing to occur since the victim was not present to give an impact statement.

Judge O’Keefe scheduled Sommers to be sentenced on Dec. 9.

Emily Pengelly wrote this article.

Document: 18 Year-Old Identified as Homicide Victim

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) identified the victim of a Nov. 12 homicide 18 year-old Navaras Johnson, of Southwest, DC.

At around 7:25 p.m., officers responded to the 1400 block of Tobias Drive, SE for the report of a shooting. There, they found Johnson suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. The victim was pronounced dead on the scene.

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Document: Arrest Made in Assault with a Dangerous Weapon Offense

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrested a suspect for an assault with a dangerous weapon that occurred on the 1600 block of K Street, NW on Nov. 14.

At approximately 5:40 p.m., the suspect discharged a commercial grade firework at several victims.

The suspect, a 26-year-old resident of Northeast DC, fled the scene but was apprehended by responding MPD officers.

Document: Police Arrest Suspects for First-Degree Burglary

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrested four suspects for a burglary that occurred on the 900 block of 11th Street, NE on Nov. 14.

At approximately 3:10 p.m., four suspects were outside a residence when they began throwing projectiles that damaged windows, the front door and a vehicle’s windshield. The suspect who has been arrested brandished a knife and entered the home.

The suspects then fled the scene but were apprehended by responding MPD officers. Four juveniles, three female and one male, were arrested and charged with destruction of property. One of the females was also charged with first-degree burglary.

Crime Alerts: November 15-16

Between 9 p.m. on Nov. 15 and 9 a.m. on Nov. 16, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out six crime alerts.

The most recent alert was sent at 5:09 a.m. for a robbery on the 100 block of Joliet Street, SW. Police are looking for a Black male with a light brown complexion, approximately 5’5″ in height, wearing a white face mask, a dark blue jacket and blue jeans.

An alert was sent at 2:13 a.m. for a robbery (snatch) on the 1800 block of West Virginia Avenue, NE. One suspect was stopped.

An alert for an armed robbery was sent at 2:11 a.m. at the intersection of 12th and V Streets, NE. Police are looking for two Black males wearing dark clothing and armed with handguns. They were last seen in a black minivan.

Another alert for an armed robbery was sent at 1:19 a.m. on the 400 block of Michigan Avenue, NE. Police are looking for two Black males in a silver sedan, bearing unknown Maryland tags.

An alert for a robbery investigation was sent at 12:33 a.m. on the 5000 block of South Dakota Avenue, NE. Police are looking for a black Jeep Cherokee with DC tags.

The final alert was sent at 9:37 p.m. for a robbery on the 1000 block of 26th Street, NW. Police are looking for three Black males. One of the suspects is wearing a grey hoodie jacket.

Document: Florida Resident Arrested in Connection with Nov. 14 Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrested a suspect for second-degree murder while armed.

At around 5:26 p.m. on Nov. 14, officers responded to the 1000 block of 4th Street, SW for the sound of gunshots.

There, they found 44 year-old Terry Hickman suffering from gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead on scene.

Nijinsky Latassia Dix, a 37 year-old resident of Jacksonville, Fl., was arrested that same day.

The detectives’ investigation revealed that this offense is domestic in nature.

Judge Holds 3 Defendants During Initial Hearings

A DC Superior Court judge held three defendants and released 21 during initial hearings on Nov. 13.

Juwan Chase, 19, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and assault with significant bodily injury for offenses he committed on Aug. 19, 2019.

Chase allegedly brandished a knife when he was confronted by an employee for stealing a Red Bull from a CVS Pharmacy on the 5300 block of Wisconsin Ave, NW. After Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers left the scene, Chase allegedly returned to the store and repeatedly assaulted the victim. The victim suffered a dislocated shoulder from the attack.

Judge Judith Pipe ordered that the defendant be held for the safety of the community since Chase was previously convicted of armed robbery this year.

A male domestic violence defendant is being held for simple assault by Judge Pipe. The defendant is currently on probation for another domestic violence case in which the victim is the same as in this new case.

Civilians allegedly had to pull the defendant off of the victim during the assault in order to save her.

Judge Pipe said she is concerned for the victim’s safety, especially since the defendant was sentenced in his last case in October, and it has only taken him one month to reoffend.

Haley Biser is a fugitive from Maryland, with underlying charges of robbery and a probation violation for a weapon possession conviction.

Judge Pipe decided to hold her on both of the fugitive cases due to the seriousness of the charges. Biser waived her right to an extradition hearing in DC, and she will be held for three business days so Maryland can come and collect her.

Judge Pipe released four defendants with fugitive charges, so that they can go to either Maryland or Virginia to take care of their warrants. The fugitives have underlying charges of arson, larceny and probation violations.

One felony defendant was released for first-degree theft on the condition that they comply with pretrial conditions and report for mental health treatment.

Four defendants were released on firearm charges, including unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction and unlawful possession of ammunition.

Judge Pipe also chose to release three traffic defendants as well, who were charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, operating a vehicle while impaired and driving without a license.

One of the traffic defendants asked to be put in DC Jail and when he was told his court date, he announced that he will be dead by then. He was released without further comment from Judge Pipe.

Four defendants were arrested due to outstanding warrants for failing to appear for their court dates. All five were released and told to report back to their pretrial or probation case managers.

Four misdemeanor defendants were released on charges of unlawful possession of a controlled substance, simple assault and possession of a prohibited weapon, no permit and leaving after colliding, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, and tampering with a GPS monitoring device. One defendant was ordered to stay away from the victim and their place of residence.

One of the misdemeanor defendants is also charged with a traffic offense for a DUI and operating a vehicle while impaired. He was ordered to have a drug and alcohol assessment done by the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA).

One domestic violence defendant is charged with simple assault and was also released. They were given an order not to harass, assault, threaten, or stalk (HATS) the victim.

A defendant’s presentment will also continue to the Nov. 14 schedule, since the defendant is at a local hospital.

This article was written by Sierra Robbins.

Judge Detains One Defendant During Show Cause Hearings

A DC Superior Court Judge presided over five show cause hearings on Nov. 13.

Judge Danya Dayson detained Anthony Wainwright after he violated his pretrial release conditions.

Wainwright, 36, is charged with simple assault in a 2018 case and felony bail violation in a 2019 case. A Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) officer said he has committed curfew violations and has been rearrested.

“This case is going around in circles,” said Judge Dayson.

Defense attorney Wole Falodun protested Dayson’s decision, saying his client will come into compliance and has been trying.

She offered to reconsider her decision if Falodun filed a motion and provided additional information from Wright’s pretrial officer.

Wainwright’s next court date is scheduled for Jan. 19.

Jude Dayson also continued Sean Bowman’s hearing to Dec. 15.

Bowman, 36, is charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of an open container of alcohol and public intoxication.

According to defense attorney David Vega, Bowman is currently participating in a treatment program, which is why he did not show up to the hearing. The PSA officer confirmed Bowman’s whereabouts.

The prosecutor did not have any objections to continuing the hearing but reserved the right to request a bench warrant if Bowman is not present at the next hearing, which is scheduled for Dec. 15.

Judge Dayson continued Joevaughn Harris’ hearing to Nov. 30.

Harris was sentenced to one year of supervised probation for robbery in 2019. He was not present in court today. However, defense attorney Amy Phillips said her client was recovering from gunshot wounds.

Judge Dayson asked Phillips to tell her client to make contact with his probation officer in preparation for the next hearing.

Judge Dayson continued Antoine Hart’s hearing to Dec. 1, giving him two weeks to come into compliance with his pretrial release conditions.

Hart, 18, is charged with carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business and possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device.

Harris was in court today for violating his stay-away order and failing to charge his GPS tracking device.

His next court date is scheduled on Dec. 1.

Judge Dayson also continued another defendant’s hearing.

The defendant was sentenced to one year of probation for unlawful entry in September. However, he was re-arrested in a domestic violence case for simple assault and assault on a police officer.

He is being held in the new case.

His case was transferred to another courtroom in order to schedule his next court date.

Maria Marzullo wrote this article.

Judge Reschedules Murder Defendant’s Hearing

A murder defendant’s Nov. 13 hearing was rescheduled.

Collin Potter is charged with kidnapping, first-degree sex abuse while armed and felony murder while armed.

He is accused of stabbing 36-year-old Vongell Lugo on Jan. 6, 2019, on the 2800 block of Wisconsin Avenue, NW.

The next day after the homicide, the 28 year-old defendant was charged with second-degree murder while armed during his initial hearing. He was indicted on his current charges the following August.

According to court documents, Potter told the police that he remembered performing oral sex on a male and later saw blood on his person. He told the police that the blood was not his own, nor did he know how the blood got on him.

Potter’s next hearing date is now set for Nov. 19. In the meantime, he will remain held at DC Jail.

Judge Continues Status Conference in Murder Case

A DC Superior Court judge continued a murder defendant’s felony status conference.

Nequan Carthens is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Lagioria Brinkley, on March 20, on the 1900 block of 16 Street, SE. Brinkley, 36, suffered a gunshot wound to the head and died on the scene.

According to court documents, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) were able to identify the defendant using key witness reports and surveillance footage. Carthens, 20, was arrested on March 26.

Carthens defense attorney, Kevann Gardner, said that he and the prosecution are working towards a possible resolution.

Judge Danya Dayson decided to continue the felony status hearing to May 3.

Emily Pengelly wrote this article.

Video: Suspect Sought In A Second-Degree Burglary Offense

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying a suspect in reference to a second-degree burglary offense that occurred on Nov. 10 on the 1500 block of 17th Street, NW.

Around 1 a.m., the suspect forcibly gained entry to an establishment at the listed location. The suspect took property, including money and fled the scene.

The suspect was captured by a surveillance camera and can be seen in the video below:

Anyone who can identify this individual or who has knowledge of this incident should take no action but call police at (202) 727-9099 or text the department’s Text Tip Line — 50411. Crime Solvers of Washington, DC currently offers a reward of up to $1,000 to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and indictment of the person or persons responsible for a crime committed in the District of Columbia.

Document: Arrest Made for Assault With A Dangerous Weapon Offense

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) arrested a suspect in connection with an assault with a dangerous weapon (knife) offense that occurred on Nov. 12 on the 1300 block of New York Avenue, NW.

Around 6 p.m., the suspect approached the victims at the listed location, brandishing a knife. He attempted to stab the victims.

The 31-year-old was apprehended by responding officers.

Document: Suspect Arrested in a First-Degree Burglary Offense

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrested a suspect in connection with a burglary offense that occurred on Nov. 1.

On the 300 block of 37 Street, SE, at approximately 10:12 p.m., the suspect entered the occupied residency. Once inside, the suspect took property and fled the scene.

On Nov. 12, a 41-year-old woman from Southeast, DC was arrested and charged with burglary one.

Emily Pengelly wrote this post.

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