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Judge Continues Sentencing For Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge continued a sentencing to give a defendant and his new attorney time to review all of his cases.

Khamari Perkins was scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 9 for unauthorized use of a vehicle and receiving stolen property of $1,000 or more. The incident occurred on the 1600 block of V Street, SE on Jan. 28, 2019. 

However, on the day of the sentencing, 18-year-old Perkins’ attorney, Thomas Healy asked the court to withdraw. Perkins also has other pending cases, his attorney for those is Kevaan Gardner. Healy requested to withdraw so Perkins can have one sole council for all of his cases. 

Judge Rainey Brandt granted Healy’s request to withdraw. 

Gardner requested from the court for more time to review all of Perkins’ cases before sentencing takes place. The prosecution did not object

Judge Brandt scheduled Perkins’ sentencing for Oct. 27. 

Judge Denies Change to Domestic Violence Defendant’s Release Conditions

On Sept. 9, a DC Superior Court judge denied a defense attorney’s motion to have his client taken off home confinement and GPS monitoring. The defendant is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed in a felony domestic violence case. 

Defense attorney Ronald Resetarits asked that his client be given a curfew instead of his current release conditions.

Resetarits argued that his client has been in perfect compliance with home confinement since he was put on it in March. He said his client has no desire to contact the victim and has not made any attempts to do so since the stay away order was issued.

Resetarits also  pointed out that the defendant has no prior record.

The prosecution opposed Resetarits’ motion, saying the facts of this case are serious enough to justify keeping the current release conditions in place. The prosecutor also said the victim had expressed that she would not feel safe if the defendant was released from home confinement.

Judge Anita Josey-Herring denied the defense’s motion, saying the facts of this case are serious and believes the defendant is still a potential danger to the victim. 

Another hearing is scheduled for Jan. 26. 

Judge Issues Two Bench Warrants During Probation, Pretrial Hearings

A DC Superior Court judge continued hearings and issued two bench warrants during pretrial and probation hearings on Sept. 8.

Judge Michael O’Keefe issued a bench warrant for Jamaul Crockett and Dwanda Reese’s arrest after they failed to appear in court. 

Crockett, 36, is charged with attempted threats to do bodily harm, possession of cocaine, simple assault and assault on a police officer in three different cases. 

Crockett’s attorney, Gregory Copeland, said he has not had any contact with the defendant. Copeland said he was not provided with any contact information. The PSA has also had no contact with Crockett since he was released in July.

Reese, 33, is charged with bail violation, sexual solicitation, distribution of cocaine and possession of cocaine in four different cases.

According to the PSA, Reese has been a loss of contact since August and only had sporadic contact with her case manager before that. 

The prosecution requested a bench warrant because of Reese’s absence and her “spotty” history of appearing in court.

Judge O’Keefe also continued an assault defendant’s pretrial show cause hearing because his attorney gave him the wrong date.

Anthony Johnson, 21, is charged with simple assault in connection with an incident that occurred at the Union Station Shops in Northeast, DC on July 6. 

Judge O’Keefe rescheduled Johnson’s hearing for Sept. 9. 

Judge O’Keefe continued another pretrial show cause hearing for a defendant charged in two misdemeanor cases.

In his first case, Wendell Clay is charged with simple assault, second-degree theft and destruction of property less than $1,000 in connection with an incident that occurred on the 2800 block of Alabama Avenue, SE on Aug. 22, 2019. 

In his more recent case, he is charged with simple assault in connection with an incident that occurred on the 1600 block of 30 Street, SE on May 24. 

Clay, 40, was given a verbal warning to comply with his release conditions. He must report weekly to the PSA by telephone.

Judge O’Keefe scheduled Clay’s next hearing for March 22, 2021.

Judge O’Keefe continued a gun defendant’s probation show cause hearing in order for him to complete a mental health assessment. 

Tumarcus Hawkins is serving 12 months of probation for carrying a pistol without a license.

According to a Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) representative, Hawkins has been in compliance but still has to complete a mental health assessment. Hawkins, 23, said he will get it done this week.

Judge O’Keefe scheduled Hawkins’ next show cause hearing for Oct. 8.

Judge O’Keefe discharged a weapon possession defendant’s pretrial show cause hearing.

Michael Johnson is charged with carrying a pistol without a license on the 3900 block of Martin Luther King Junior Avenue, SW on March 18.

According to the PSA, Johnson, 22, has only had one infraction where he didn’t charge his GPS device. Otherwise, he has been in compliance. 

The prosecution asked Judge O’Keefe to keep Johnson on the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) since he has not been in perfect compliance. Judge O’Keefe granted the request. 

Judge O’Keefe terminated an assault defendant’s probation as unsuccessful. 

Tamika Watkins was sentenced to six months of probation for a simple assault that occurred on Dec. 24, 2018, on the 1400 block of Maryland Avenue, NE.

Watkins did not show up to her hearing.

Watkins, 37, has been out of contact since June 5, according to a Community Service Officer. Prior to June 5, Watkins was in contact with her probation officer every two to three weeks. 

Derrick Page, Watkins’ attorney, thought the loss of contact was due to possible homelessness; however, the idea could not be confirmed.

Another defendant charged with unlawful possession of a firearm did not appear in court because he was in custody due to a parole warrant. 

According to the PSA, 29-year-old Walik Smith is currently in custody and has been a loss of contact since June. 

Judge O’Keefe held Smith without bail.

Judge O’Keefe continued a theft and unlawful entry defendant’s pretrial show cause hearing.

Daquan White is charged with second-degree theft and unlawful entry of a motor vehicle in connection with an incident that occurred Sept. 15, 2018, on the 1400 Block of H Street, NE.

A PSA representative said that White, 24, is in compliance with his release conditions.

Judge O’Keefe scheduled White’s next hearing for March 2, 2021. 

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Crime Alerts: September 8-9

Between 9 p.m. on Sept. 8 and 9 a.m. on Sept. 9, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out three crime alerts.

The most recent alert was sent at 12:34 a.m. for a confirmed shooting on the 4400 block of Benning Road, NE. Police are looking for a Black male, early 20s with dreadlocks. He was last seen running east on the 4400 block of Benning Road, NE.

Another alert for a confirmed shooting was sent at 11:38 p.m. on Sept. 8 on the 800 block of 51st Street, NE. Police do not have a description of the suspect(s).

The final alert was sent at 10:20 p.m. for a shooting on the 600 block of N Street, NW.

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

Crime Alerts: September 8

The Metropolitan Police Department sent out two crime alerts after noon on Sept. 8.

The latest alert was sent at 7:45 p.m. for an armed robbery on the 100 block of Emerson Street, NW. Police are looking for four black males, between 5’8″-5’10” in a light grey sedan.

At 7:44 p.m. an alert of a stabbing on the 500 block of Newcombe Street, SE. The police do not have a description of the suspect(s).

Judge Sentences Domestic Violence Defendant

On Sept. 8, a DC Superior Court judge sentenced a domestic violence defendant.

Malcolm Turner pleaded guilty to second-degree theft and simple assault. 

As part of a plea deal with the prosecution, his misdemeanor case, in which he was charged with GPS tampering, was dropped.

Judge Maribeth Raffinan sentenced Turner to 100 days, all of which were suspended, plus one year of probation for second-degree theft. He received the same sentence for the simple assault charge. 

The terms of his probation include receiving mental health treatment and complying with a stay away order from the victim and the victim’s residence. 

The defendant was also re-sentenced in an earlier domestic violence case during the Sept. 8 hearing.

According to court documents, in September of 2019, the defendant was sentenced to 180 days, all of which were suspended, plus one year of probation for simple assault. However, he violated his probation and was therefore re-sentenced to 90 days plus one year of probation. He will receive credit for time served.

Turner must also pay $150 to the Crime Victims Compensation Program.

Judge Schedules Hearing for Murder Defendant

On Sept. 8, a DC Superior Court judge scheduled a hearing to determine if a murder case has enough evidence to go to trial. 

Cory Brown is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting his girlfriend, 40-year-old Latasha Estep, with a crossbow on Aug. 8.

According to court documents, a witness saw Brown, 39, outside of the victim’s apartment holding a knife, with a reddish brown stain on his shirt.  Responding Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers entered the victim’s apartment on the 3000 block of Stanton Road, SE for a welfare check. There, they found Estep unconscious and unresponsive with multiple puncture wounds. She was pronounced dead on the scene. 

A witness told officers that the defendant had been using the victim’s car. After searching the car, officers found a smaller pistol grip style crossbow. Officers knew that Brown had been arrested for domestic violence involving the victim in the past.

Brown is currently being held at DC Jail. According to a press release, he was under the supervision of the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) for a domestic violence-related assault at the time of his arrest. 

Judge Ronna Beck scheduled Brown’s preliminary hearing for Sept. 18.

Judge Finds Murder Defendant Competent to Stand Trial

A DC Superior Court judge declared a murder defendant is competent to stand trial after receiving a report from the defense’s expert psychologist. 

Bratrell Hawkins, 27, is charged with second-degree murder while armed in the death of 26-year-old Xavier Tate. Tate was shot to death Jan. 5 on the 1400 block of Third Street, SW. 

Since Hawkins’ last hearing on June 18, the defense has encountered logistical challenges with arranging their expert to meet with Hawkins to finish his competency evaluation. The date for Hawkins’ mental health observation hearing has been moved several times since then. 

During the Sept. 8 felony status conference, defense attorney Laura Rose told Judge Neal Kravitz that the doctor finished her evaluation of the defendant. She found Hawkins to be marginally competent but unlikely to maintain competency if placed in the DC Jail. She suggested he stay at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s psychiatric institution, where he has been since February. 

Rose said the doctor believes the services that exist at the hospital are more adequate for Hawkins’ treatment than the ones provided at the jail. 

However, the prosecution argued that, because Hawkins was found competent to stand trial, he must be released from the hospital and put in the jail. 

Rose was unable to provide a written report of the doctor’s findings, specific suggestions and reasoning as to why the hospital is the most appropriate setting for Hawkins.

Judge Kravitz gave the defense until Sept. 18 to share a comprehensive report from the doctor with both him and the prosecution. He also ruled, for the record, that Hawkins is competent to stand trial.

For now, Hawkins will remain at St. Elizabeth’s.

Hawkins’ next hearing is scheduled for Oct. 6. After parties receive the report from the defense’s expert, Judge Kravitz will determine the type of hearing. 

Document: Homicide In Grant Park

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating a homicide that occurred on the 300 block of 55th Street, Northeast on Sept. 7.

At approximately 10:30 p.m., officers responded to the location for the sound of gunshots. Once they arrived on the scene, officers found an adult male suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

The victim, now identified as 44-year-old Tracey James Lee from Northeast, DC, was transported to a local hospital for treatment but died after life-saving efforts failed.

MPD is offering an award up to $25,000 for anyone who can provide information that leads to an arrest and conviction of the individual(s) involved.

Anyone with information should call (202) 727-9099 or text 50411.

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Judge Holds Domestic Violence Defendant

On Sept. 8, a DC Superior Court judge held a domestic violence defendant pending his next court date. 

The defendant is charged with violating a Temporary Protective Order (TPO) in three domestic violences related cases. He has been held at DC Jail since he picked up the case on Aug. 22.

Defense attorney Darryl Daniels asked for his client to be released with a no Harassing Assaulting Threatening or Stalking (HATS) order. Daniels asked that the defendant be put on home confinement in his father’s home if the no HATS order was not enough to ensure the victim’s safety. 

But, the prosecution objected to the request, arguing that the defendant could not be released because the victim had not been notified of a possible release hearing.

The prosecution also offered a plea deal, which the defendant rejected. 

Judge Maribeth Raffinan told the defense that the defendant could make another request for release at his next hearing. She said she wanted to deal with the rejected plea offer in the Sept. 8 hearing.

Judge Raffinan also denied the defense’s motion to dismiss the case.

The defendant’s next hearing, a detention hearing, is scheduled for Sept. 17.

Judge Sentences Defendant in 2019 Drug Case

On Sept. 8, a DC Superior Court judge sentenced a defendant in a drug case involving cocaine.

Evan Green, 27, pleaded guilty to attempted distribution of a controlled substance. He picked up the case in the aftermath of a buy-bust operation that officers from the Metropolitan Police Department conducted on Oct. 12, 2019, on the 1500 block of C Street, NE. 

As part of a plea deal, Green’s charged were downgraded from distribution to attempted distribution. The prosecution also agreed to dismiss Green’s other case, in which he was charged with felony contempt.

Judge Michael O’Keefe sentenced Green to 12 months, all of which were suspended, plus 18 months of supervised probation. 

The conditions of the defendant’s probation include completing drug and alcohol treatment programs, entering a faith based mentoring program, individual counseling as well as grief counseling as deemed appropriate by the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) and maintaining or seeking employment. 

Green must also pay  $100 to the Crime Victims Compensation Program.

Green’s defense attorney, Carrie Weletz, said her client accepted responsibility for his actions early on and was forthcoming with his involvement in the crime. She also said Green’s only other prior conviction was for a similar, non-violent offense — attempted distribution of a controlled substance. 

If Green violates the conditions of his probation, Judge O’Keefe said he could be stepped back to GPS monitoring.

Judge Sentences Domestic Violence Defendant

On Sept. 8, a DC Superior Court judge sentenced a defendant for violating a Court Protection Order (CPO.)

The defendant decided to accept a plea deal to reduce his time in the case.  

Judge Maribeth Raffinan  sentenced Kelsey to 90 days, 60 of which were suspended, plus one year of probation. He will receive credit for time served. 

The terms of his probation include taking drug and alcohol tests, complying with a no Harassment Assault Threatening Staking (HATS) order and receiving a mental health screening and evaluation.

The defendant must also pay $50 to the Victims of Violent Crime Act fund. 

Document: Suspect Arrested in Connection with Sex Abuse Offense

A suspect has been arrested in connection with a second-degree child sex abuse offense that occurred on Sept. 3.

Between around 12:00 p.m. and 12:30 p.m., a suspect approached a female victim on the 5000 block of MacArthur Boulevard, NW. The suspect then engaged in unwanted sexual contact with the victim, and then fled the scene in a vehicle.

Members of the Prince William County Police Department arrested a 44-year-old resident of Manassas, Va. He will go through the extradition process, where he will be transported from Virginia to the Metropolitan Police Department’s Youth and Family Services Division, Physical and Sexual Abuse Branch. There, he will be charged with second-degree child sex abuse.

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Document: Police Arrest Suspects for Assault with Knife

On Sept. 4, officers from the Metropolitan Police Department arrested two suspects for an assault with a knife in July.

According to a press release, the suspects approached victims on the unit block of N Street, SE, brandished a knife and assaulted them.

The suspects were arrested on Sept. 4 and are awaiting their first appearance for the crime at the DC Superior Court.

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Document: Juvenile Arrested for Multiple Offenses

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrested a 16-year-old resident of Northeast, DC for armed carjacking, assault with a dangerous weapon, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and receiving stolen property.

On Sept. 3 at around 12:45 p.m., a suspect was in the passenger seat of the victim’s vehicle. The vehicle stopped on the 1000 block of 7th Street, NE. A suspect brandished a knife and demanded the victim’s property. The suspect took property from the victim and then left in the victim’s vehicle.

On Sept. 4 at around 3:13 a.m., two suspects entered an establishment in the 3300 block of Benning Road, NE. One suspect took brandished a handgun at the employee and tried to open the security door. The suspects failed to open the door. They fled the scene. This case remains under investigation.

That same day at around 4:20 p.m., officers were on the 1100 block of 19th Street, NE. They saw a suspect enter a vehicle that was taken on the 1000 block of 7th Street, NE. The officers apprehended the suspect.

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