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Judge Puts Defendant in Domestic Violence Case on Pretrial Release

A DC Superior Court judge released a defendant in his two domestic violence cases.

The defendant is charged with simple assault in his first case and contempt in his second case. He was initially released in both cases, but was held on Sept. 2. A notice of noncompliance was filed on Aug. 26.

During the Sept. 15 hearing, Judge John McCabe decided to release the defendant on his promise to return to court. However, the defendant must wear a GPS monitoring device and has orders to stay away from the victim.

The defendant must also report to the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA.) 

The defendant’s had a remote hearing on Sept. 16 and is scheduled for a hearing on Nov. 10.

Judge Finds Probable Cause and Holds Co-Defendants

A DC Superior Court judge ruled that a co-defendant case has enough evidence to go to trial. The judge also held the defendants at DC Jail.

Azion Johnson, 21, and Weslee Wilkinson, 18, are charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business. They are accused of  participating in a shootout on May 29 during a gathering on the 5100 block of Fitch Place, SE that left three people injured.

During the Sept. 16 preliminary hearing, the prosecution showed surveillance video of two suspects shooting out of a door in an apartment buildings stairwell. A Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective identifying the suspects as Johnson and Wilkinson. 

The prosecution also entered messages from Johnson’s iCloud account into evidence. The messages showed Johnson saying, “why would you tell on me, I was the one who shot back for you.” 

According to court documents, a witness who saw the crime gave MPD detectives the iCloud account and said it belonged to Johnson.

The detective also said officers found a .9mm pistol in Wilkinson’s closet and a .40 caliber pistol in Prince George County at Johnson’s mother’s home, where Johnson was arrested. Several .40 caliber and .9mm casings were found outside of the door that the suspects were seen firing from.

During cross examination, the detective told Wilkinson’s attorney, Julie Swaney, that the first victim was not sure about where the bullet that hit him came from or who the shooter was. Swaney argued that the bullet could have been from the other suspects involved in the shooting, who the police haven’t identified.

The detective also said the victim was located between the defendants and the unidentified suspects across the parking lot, who were engaged in the shootout. 

Johnson’s defense attorney, Sellano Simmons, asked the detective if there was any surveillance footage of Johnson pulling the trigger. The detective said he could only see the suspect put his hand out the door as if he was firing. The detectives did not recover any footage that showed the firing of the pistol. 

Judge Rainey Brandt said the officer’s identification of Johnson and Wilkinson, coupled with the surveillance video and messages from Johnson’s iCloud, was enough to establish probable cause. 

Swaney and Simmons asked for their clients to be put on pretrial release. 

Swaney said her client has no criminal history except for one case that was recently dismissed. She also said her client is currently attending high school and would be unable to continue his education if incarcerated. 

Simmons also said his client has no prior criminal history, and asked for him to be released into the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP.)

Judge Brandt denied the release requests. The judge said she recognizes that the two have no prior criminal history, but the seriousness of the crime and the event occurring at a cookout with approximately 100 people there, makes it even more troubling. 

Johnson and Wilkinson’s next hearing is scheduled for Nov. 12. 

Judge Schedules New Hearing for Murder Case

On Sept. 16, DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz scheduled a new hearing to determine if a murder case has enough evidence to go to trial. 

Ravel Mills, 26, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the death of Toussaunt Strong. The 28-year-old resident of Clinton, Md. was shot multiple times on April 18 on the 3400 block of 24th Street, SE. 

Mills’ preliminary hearing was scheduled for Sept. 16. However, it was canceled because the defendant refused to take a COVID-19 test. Defendants are not allowed to attend hearings at the DC Superior Courthouse without a negative COVID-19 test.

Defense attorney Madalyn Harvey said her client did not know the test was mandatory. 

Judge Kravitz scheduled Mills’ new preliminary hearing for Oct. 20. 

Mills, a resident of Temple Hills, Md., was arrested on May 4. He has been detained at the DC Jail since then.

Defendant’s Absence Causes Judge to Delay Sentencing

A DC Superior Court judge pushed back a sentencing to allow a defendant to be physically present in court. 

Kaveyon Andrews pleaded guilty in May 2019 to assault with intent to commit robbery, robbery and unarmed carjacking. The charges are for three separate incidents that occurred in 2018 and 2019. His initial charges were assault with intent to commit robbery while armed and robbery while armed.

The 18 year old’s attorney, Atiq Ahmed, filed a motion Sept. 14 for the defendant to be physically present at his sentencing. 

But, the prosecution argued against the motion. 

“It’s going to be close to two years since he plead guilty to this case,” said the prosecutor. “We’re at a standstill because the defense team doesn’t want him sent to prison…”

The prosecutor continued, “I would respectfully request to make special accommodations to get this accomplished within the next week.” 

Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, DC courtrooms would not be open until Nov. 9 at the earliest. 

Judge Judith Smith granted the motion as it is the defendant’s right to ask to be present in court. 

Based on the three charges, the base sentence for Andrews’ crimes is six years in prison. 

Judge Smith scheduled Andrew’s sentencing for Nov. 10. 

Crime Alerts: September 15-16

Five crime alerts were sent out between the afternoon of September 15 and the morning on Sept. 16.

The Metropolitan Police Department most recently alerted the public at 3:23 a.m. about a stabbing on the 2300 block of Good Hope Road, SE. The police stopped one suspect.

At 10:33 p.m. on Sept. 15, the police also sent out an alert for a robbery investigation at Elmira Street and South Capitol Street, SE. The police are looking for six black males, wearing all black, with (1) handgun, last seen in a silver Dodge magnum on the unit block of South Capitol.

At 6:37 p.m., another alert for a robbery investigation was sent out. The robbery took place at 6:32 p.m. on the 900 block of 15TH Street, NW. Police are looking for a black male; medium complexion with a brush in his hair, a mustache, a maroon colored shirt, beige pants and dirty black shoes.

At 4:55 p.m., an alert was sent for a robbery investigation on the 4500 block of East Capitol, NE. Police are looking for two black males, suspect one was last seen wearing a green shirt, suspect two, is approximately 225 pounds, 5’10” with a bald head. The suspects were last seen occupying an unknown gray vehicle with Virginia tags. 

At 1:46 p.m., an alert for a shooting on the 1600 block of Holbrook Street, NE was sent. Police are looking for a silver Lexus that is occupied by three black males who were wearing black masks and armed with handguns.

If anyone has any information about these crimes, please call 911.

 

Document: Suspects and Vehicle Sought in Connection with Armed Robbery

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives seek the public’s help locating a vehicle and suspects of an armed robbery.

At around 12:27 p.m. on Sept. 15, suspects exited a vehicle and approached the victims on the 3300 block of 7th Street, SE. One of them took out a firearm and demanded property.

The suspects took property and fled the scene in the vehicle, which is described as a two tone Dodge Magnum, with a grey color on top and a dark color below. The vehicle and the suspects were captured by a surveillance camera.

[documentcloud url=”http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/7209546-9-15-20-Suspects-and-Vehicle-Sought-in-an-Armed.html” responsive=true]

Judge Sentences Defendant in 3 Domestic Violence Cases

On Sept. 15, a DC Superior Court judge sentenced a defendant in three domestic violence cases. 

Lance Freeman, 50, resolved his cases through a global plea deal with the prosecution. 

His first case, in which he was charged with simple assault, was dismissed as part of the plea agreement. 

In his second case, Freeman pleaded guilty to attempted threats to do bodily harm in exchange for his contempt charge being dropped. 

In his third case, Freeman pleaded guilty to destruction of property less than $1,000 in exchange for his contempt charge being dropped.

Judge John McCabe sentenced the defendant to 75 days, all of which were suspended, plus 12 months of probation for the attempted threats charge. He received credit for time served. Judge McCabe also sentenced the defendant to 90 days, all of which were suspended, plus 12 months of probation for destruction of property. 

The two sentences will run consecutively, but the probation is concurrent. 

Conditions of his probation include alcohol and drug testing, GPS monitoring, a mental health screening and evaluation and a stay away order. 

Freeman must also pay $50 to the Crime Victims Compensation Program for each charge. 

Judge Holds 7 Defendants During Initial Hearing

On Sept. 15, DC Superior Court Judge Heide Herrmann released 23 defendants and held seven defendants at the DC Jail during initial hearings.

Judge Herrmann held Aumia Williams, 39, who is charged with prison breach and distribution of a controlled substance, which was cocaine, in two cases. Williams was also brought in on four outstanding bench warrants for failing to appear in court.

Judge Herrmann found probable cause for William’s distribution of a controlled substance and prison escape charges. Williams was charged with prison escape after leaving a halfway house while on pretrial release in 2019. Due to the defendant’s history of violating conditions of release, the judge ruled that Williams will be held at DC Jail until her next hearing on Oct. 7. 

One defendant, 22, was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and armed kidnapping in a domestic violence case. The defendant allegedly barricaded the entrance to his apartment and grabbed a female victim’s hair as she tried to leave. He then allegedly threatened the victim with an axe, saying he would throw the axe at her head if she tried to leave.

The defendant’s attorney argued for her client to be released for mental health treatment. Judge Herrmann held the defendant due to the concerning nature of the crime along with the defendant’s two pending assault cases. 

D’Sean Walker, 23, was arrested on a GPS tampering charge for failing to charge his monitoring device. Judge Herrmann released him on his new case but held him on a parole matter. 

Kevin Boyd, 32, is charged with possession of a controlled substance, driving without a valid license and improper use of tags. Judge Herrmann released him on his new case but held him on a parole matter. Once released, Boyd is ordered not to drive without a valid license.

Judge Herrmann decided to hold Ray Spencer on his parole violation. Spencer, 30, was arrested on GPS tampering charges for failing to charge his monitoring device after acknowledging the conditions of his parole. Spencer was also brought in as a fugitive from justice from Maryland, where he is wanted for probation violation. Judge Herrmann released Spencer on his two new cases, but he was held on a parole hold. 

Dwayne Nowlin, 39, is charged with lewd, indecent or obscene behavior to which he submitted a plea of not guilty. While the prosecution was not opposed to Nowlin’s release providing he stay away from two locations, Judge Herrmann decided to hold him pending another District Court case. 

Charles Vaughn was arrested on fugitive charges from Maryland, where he is wanted for aggravated assault and failing to appear for his hearing in a traffic offense. Since Judge Herrmann was not inclined to release him given the seriousness of the assault charge, Vaughn agreed to waive his right to an extradition hearing, consenting to remain in jail to wait for Mayland officials to come get him within three business days. Judge Herrmann accepted his waiver and ruled to hold him in DC jail. 

Of those released, two defendants did not have charges filed against them by the prosecution and one defendant was released on citation with a court date of Oct. 31.

Judge Herrmann heard five additional domestic violence cases involving simple assault, attempted possession of a prohibited weapon, violation of a Civil Protection Order (CPO) and violation of a Temporary Protection Order (TPO). The defendants were all released with stay-away orders from the alleged victims.

Two defendants, charged with being fugitives from justice, were released. The defendants are wanted in Maryland and Virginia for failing to appear at their hearings. Judge Herrmann released the defendants with orders to turn themselves in to demanding jurisdictions as soon as possible.

Seven defendants charged with misdemeanors were released by Judge Herrmann. Three of the defendants are charged with simple assault, two defendants are charged with unlawful entry into private property and two defendants are charged with cases involving stolen goods. Five of the defendants were given stay-away orders.

Two defendants, charged with possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, were released. One defendant was allegedly in possession of PCP and the other was alleged to have had heroin and cocaine on him. Both defendants were given stay-away orders.

Two DUI cases were heard by Judge Herrmann, and she released both defendants with orders not to drive after consuming alcohol or drugs.

Finally, two defendants were brought in on bench warrants for failing to appear at their hearings. Judge Herrmann released both defendants with new court dates of Sept. 21 and Feb. 16, 2021.

Domestic Violence Defendant Sentenced for Theft and Contempt

On Sept. 15, a DC Superior Court judge sentenced a defendant who resolved two domestic violence cases with a plea deal.

In his more recent case, George Shaw pleaded guilty to contempt and second-degree theft. As part of the plea deal, the prosecution dismissed his other case, in which he was charged with attempted threats to do bodily harm.

Shaw, 47, was charged with contempt for violating an order to stay away from the victim. He picked up the theft charge for taking the victim’s car for a number of days without her permission.

Judge John McCabe sentenced him to 60 days, all of which were suspended, plus 12 months of probation for each charge. Shaw received credit for time served for the contempt charge. 

The probation period for each charge will run concurrently. During probation, Shaw must undergo a mental health screening and evaluation and comply with a stay away order.

Shaw must also pay a total of $100 to the Crime Victims Compensation Program and $200 in restitution to the victim.

Domestic Violence Defendant Sentenced for Simple Assault

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a defendant in a domestic violence case after he made a plea deal with the prosecution. 

Rayshawn Reed, 27, resolved two cases during the Sept. 15 hearing. His misdemeanor case, in which he was charged with the destruction of property less than $1,000, was dismissed as part of the plea agreement. In his domestic violence case, Reed pleaded guilty to simple assault in exchange his unlawful entry into private property charge being dropped. 

Judge John McCabe sentenced Reed to 60 days with credit for time served. Reed is set to be released in ten days. 

Reed must also pay $50 to the Crime Victims Compensation Program.

Document: Help Police Find a Suspect Wanted for Assault

The Metropolitan Police Department is trying to identify suspects in connection to an assault with a gun that occurred on the 3000 block of 14th Street NW.

According to court documents, officers found a male and a female suffering from gunshot wounds. Their injuries were non-life threatening.

The male was taken to a local hospital while the female sought her own medical treatment.

The suspects were captured on surveillance video:

Anyone with information about this crime should call the police at (202) 727-9099 or text your tip to the Department’s TEXT TIP LINE — 50411.  The department is offering 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.

[documentcloud url=”http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/7209091-9-15-20-Suspects-Sought-in-an-Assault-With.html” responsive=true]

Document: Police Arrest Suspect for Voyeurism and Sexual Abuse

On Sept. 14, the Metropolitan Police Department arrested a 29-year-old man for voyeurism and sexual abuse.

The suspect allegedly used a cell phone to record underneath a minor’s skirt on the 1000 block of Wisconsin Avenue, NW earlier that day.

[documentcloud url=”http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/7208964-9-15-20-Arrest-Made-in-Voyeurism-and-Misdemeanor.html” responsive=true]

Document: Arrest Made and Suspects Sought In Assault Case

The Metropolitan Police Department has made an arrest and are seeking additional suspects in an assault with a dangerous weapon case from Sept. 11.

At approximately 5:30 p.m., the suspects approached the victim on the 1000 block of Bladensburg Road, NE. One of the suspects brandished an expandable metal baton and assaulted the victim before fleeing the scene with the other suspects.

Police arrested a 50-year-old man on Sept. 11 and charged him with assault with a dangerous weapon.

Police are still seeking two additional suspects, and they can be seen in the photos below.

[documentcloud url=”http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/7208916-9-14-20-Arrest-Made-and-Additional-Suspects.html” responsive=true]

Document: Police Seek Suspect In Burglary Offense

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a suspect involved in a burglary offense on Sept. 1.

At approximately 3:45 a.m., the suspect broke into an establishment on the 1700 block of Rhode Island Avenue, NE. The suspect took property before fleeing the scene.

The suspect was caught on camera and can be seen below.

Anyone with information can call (202) 727-9099 or text the anonymous tip line at 50411.

[documentcloud url=”http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/7208908-9-15-20-Suspect-Sought-in-a-Burglary-Two-Offense.html” responsive=true]

Crime Alerts: September 14-15

Between 9 p.m. on Sept. 14 and 9 a.m. on Sept. 15, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out five crime alerts.

The most recent alert was sent at 3:55 a.m. for a robbery investigation on the 1400 block of 42nd Street, SE. Police are looking for two Black males, 5’8″-5’9″ in height, wearing half masks and dark clothing. One of the suspects is thought to be armed with a handgun.

An alert for a shooting was sent at 11:56 p.m. on Sept. 14 on the 3000 block of 114th Street, NW. Police are looking for a tall, Black male with a slim build, wearing a black shirt and black jeans with a red bag on his right hip.

An alert at 10:22 p.m. was sent for an attempted robbery at the intersection of 12th Street and Girard Street, NE. Police are looking for four Black males in a white vehicle.

An alert for a robbery was sent at 9:38 p.m. on the 200 block of T Street, NW. Police are looking for two Black males, wearing dark colored clothing. One suspect is wearing an orange sweater.

A robbery investigation alert was sent at 9:03 p.m. on the 1200 block of 24th Street, NW. Police are looking for a group of Black males on red jump bikes.

If anyone has information about these events, please call 911.