Document: Police Search for Suspects Connected to Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking suspects in connection to a homicide that occurred on Oct. 30.

At approximately 3:19 p.m., on the 4200 block of 4th Street, SE, police located two victims suffering from gunshot wounds. Lorraine Marie Thomas, 21, displayed no signs of life, while the other only suffered from a minor injury.

The department is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in this case or any other homicide case in Washington, DC. Anyone with information can call the police at 202-727-9099. Or, send an anonymous text to the department’s Text Tip Line — 50411.

https://beta.documentcloud.org/documents/20401430-103120-homicide-4200-block-of-4th-street-southeast

Document: Suspect Sought in Burglary Offense

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking a suspect in connection to a robbery that occurred on Oct. 23.

At approximately 2:54 a.m., the suspect broke into an establishment on the 1500 block of 15th Street, NW. The suspect removed property and fled the scene.

The suspect can be seen in the surveillance video and photo below.

Document: Suspects Sought in a Robbery Offense

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking suspects in connection to a robbery that occurred on Oct. 31.

At approximately 7:41 pm, two suspects approached the victim, who was on a motorized scooter on the 300 block of M Street, SW.

The first suspected assaulted the victim, and the victim fell off the scooter. The second suspect fled with the scooter, which was eventually recovered on the 1100 block of 3rd Street, SW. The victim suffered minor injuries and refused medical attention.

The suspects can be seen in the photos below.

Crime Alerts: November 1-2

Between 9 p.m. on Nov. 1 and 9 a.m. on Nov. 2, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out three crime alerts.

At 6:22 a.m., MPD sent out an alert for a robbery investigation on the 200 block of Missouri Avenue, NW. Police are looking for a short, Black female, wearing a black jacket. The second suspect is a Black male driving a white van.

An alert was sent at 1:57 a.m. for a robbery on the 4500 block of Livingston Road, SE. Police are looking for two Black males in their early 20s, 5’9″ in height, 160 pounds and with light complexions. One of the suspects is thought to be armed with a black handgun. They were last seen headed north on Livingston Road, SE in a red Hyundai Sonata.

At 10:22 p.m., another alert for a robbery was sent on the 3000 block of Connecticut Avenue, NW. Police are looking for a Black male between 15 and 18 years of age, 5’5″ in height, thin build, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and armed with a handgun.

4 Defendants Held During Initial Hearings, Including Murder Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge chose to hold four out of 20 defendants presented for their initial hearings on Oct. 31.

The first defendant held was 23-year-old James Flemings, who is being charged with first-degree murder while armed.

On Oct. 6, Flemings allegedly shot Michael Bright while he and another suspect tried to rob a victim on the 4500 block of Lee Street, NE.

Fleming’s co-defendant, Delonte Samuel, has already been arrested by the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

Judge Juliet McKenna held Flemings since she could not guarantee the safety of the community if he was released.

Another defendant is charged with second-degree cruelty to children, possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device, unlawful possession of ammunition and simple assault in a domestic violence case.

Judge McKenna chose to hold the 26-year-old defendant since he has a previous robbery conviction and is currently on pretrial release for another matter. In this case, the defendant allegedly pointed a firearm at the victim’s head, so Judge McKenna feared for the safety of the victim if he was released.

Derrick Freeman, 40, is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction and unlawful possession of PCP.

When MPD officers stopped Freeman, they allegedly discovered a stolen firearm, liquid PCP, cocaine and contents of a stolen wallet on his person.

Freeman was previously charged with distribution of a controlled substance in April of 2019, and he has had multiple rearrests since then.

Due to his criminal history, Judge McKenna ordered Freeman to be held in DC Jail pending his next hearing on Nov. 19.

The last defendant held was Walter Gibbs, 28, who is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction, and he is a fugitive from Maryland for an assault charge.

While Gibbs was released on the fugitive matter, he was held for the new firearm charge due to his prior convictions.

Judge McKenna released five domestic violence defendants. Four of these defendants were released with stay away orders, while one defendant was released on the order not to harass, assault, threaten or stalk (HATS) the victim.

One defendant, charged with carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, was also released due to his limited and dated prior criminal history.

Two fugitive defendants were also released on the condition that they go to the county in Maryland that issued the warrants for their arrest. One is charged with simple assault and the other with a probation violation for a burglary conviction.

Judge McKenna released seven misdemeanor defendants who had been charged with assault, unlawful entry onto private property, possession of a controlled substance, attempted possession of a prohibited weapon or second-degree theft.

One traffic defendant charged with driving under the influence, operating a vehicle while impaired and driving without a permit was also released with orders not to drive after consuming alcohol or drugs.

This article was written by Sierra Robbins

Document: Police Make Second Arrest in Homicide Case

Metropolitan Police Department detectives arrested another individual who is believed to be connected to a homicide that occurred on Oct. 6 on the 1100 block of 45th Street NE.

Around 9:08 p.m. police responded to a report of gunshots at the location. Officers found a victim suffering from gunshot wounds. The victim was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

James Flemings was arrested for first-degree murder while armed – felony murder in the shooting of 30 year-old Michael Bright.

Police also arrested 28 year-old Delonte Samuel in connection to the homicide on Oct. 29.

The case is still being investigated.

The department is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in this case or any other homicide case in Washington, DC. Anyone with information should call the police at (202) 727-9099 or send an anonymous text to the department’s Text Tip Line — 50411.

Judge Denies Release Request During Hearing

On Oct. 30, a DC Superior Court judge denied an assault defendant’s release request.

Erik Stewart is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction.

The Oct. 30 court date was scheduled to be a preliminary hearing, which would determine if his case has enough evidence to go to trial.

However, Stewart waived his right for a preliminary hearing. Defense attorney Ferguson Evans went on to arguing for his client’s release.

“We think that there are conditions that could accommodate the safety of the community,” Evans said.

Evans requested that Stewart be placed in a halfway house with GPS monitoring.

During cross examination the prosecution rebutted Evans’ request by noting Stewarts prior robbery convictions, all of which involved a firearm. He also brought up Stewart’s history with the same complainant, and a previous assault that took place on April 17.

“The facts of this case are troubling and would warrant detention,” the prosecution said.

After listening to both arguments Judge Heidi Herrmann found that Stewarts charge along with his previous convictions add to the rebuttable presumptions.

Judge Herrmann decided that Stewart will remain held at DC jail. She then scheduled a felony status conference for Dec. 1.

Emily Pengelly wrote this article.

Defendant Pleads Guilty to Lesser Charge of Negligent Homicide

On Oct. 30, a defendant pleaded guilty to negligent homicide in the aftermath of a fatal motor vehicle collision.

Tyrone Hector was driving recklessly and appeared to be intoxicated on Aug. 28 on the 200 block of 11th Street, NE. The ensuing crash killed Derrick Benson.

The 52 year-old was originally charged with involuntary manslaughter. He pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of negligent homicide as part of an agreement with the prosecution.

Judge Neal Kravitz scheduled Hector to be sentenced on Jan. 15.

This article was written by Yasmeen McGettrick.

Sex Abuse Defendant Pleads Guilty

A defendant resolved his sex abuse case with a plea deal.

Antoine Peach was originally charged with assault with intent to commit first-degree sexual abuse by use of force. During the Oct. 30 hearing, he pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of attempted third-degree sexual abuse.

The 45 year-old defendant will remain under the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) while he awaits his sentencing, which DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman scheduled for Jan. 8.

Over Half of Carjacking Cases Heard Since Mid-June Have Defendants Under 21, Data Shows

None of the carjacking defendants who came through the DC Superior Court from June 16 to Oct. 16 were over 31 years-old. In fact, most of them were more than a decade younger, D.C. Witness data shows.

Twenty-two carjacking defendants appeared in court during this time period. Ten of them were arrested between mid-June and mid-October.

Fifty-two percent of the defendants were under 21 years-old. This includes six who were still teenagers.

Ja’Cori Williams was 16 years-old at the time of his alleged offense. He is being tried as an adult.

*D.C. Witness could not find one defendant’s date of birth*

Williams, who is now 17, is charged with unarmed carjacking and armed robbery for allegedly stealing a motor vehicle, cell phone, wallet, keys and money from a victim on May 9 on the 4600 block of Livingston Road, SE. He is being held in the custody of the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS).

52% of carjacking defendants who came through the DC Superior Court from June 16 to Oct. 16 were under 21
According to D.C. Witness

His co-defendant, 20-year-old Keon Smith, is also charged with armed robbery and unarmed carjacking in connection with the incident.

Williams and Smith were two of seven defendants who picked up additional charges in their cases. Others who did so include 19-year-old co-defendants Malik Beverly and Rayrae Stover.

Beverly is charged with robbery, armed robbery and armed carjacking and Stover is charged with unarmed carjacking and robbery for their alleged involvement in incidents on June 22 on the 1700 block of F Street, NE and on June 29 on the 500 block of Oklahoma Avenue, NE.

On July 2, DC Superior Court Judge Juliet McKenna ruled that their cases have enough evidence to go to trial.

Beverly is being held. Stover is released on his promise to return to court with orders to report to the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA).

Only one of the defendants, 18-year-old Jabari Davis, was charged with armed carjacking. He is accused of stealing a victim’s car during the early morning hours on Aug. 7 on the 1800 block of Newton Street, NE.

Andrea Keckley wrote this article.

2 Defendants Held During Initial Hearings

A DC Superior Court judge released 12 defendants during initial hearings on Oct. 30, while two were held at DC Jail.

Renardo Brown is being charged with contempt and unlawful entry to private property. Brown, 57, was seen inside of a Home Depot that he was previously barred from on the 900 block of Rhode Island Avenue, NE. During his hearing, defense counsel requested he be released due to his lack of a serious criminal history. Brown also had nine outstanding warrants for failing to appear at his hearings for nonviolent, misdemeanor charges.

Judge Juliet McKenna ordered he be held after saying Brown was given multiple chances to comply with his release conditions but failed to do so.

Cameron Smith, 30, is being charged with assault on a police officer while armed. He is also charged as a fugitive from justice from Maryland in a separate case.

An officer with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) was flagged down by a citizen on the 1400 block of H Street, NE on Oct. 27. According to court documents, the citizen claimed his vehicle had been hit by another car, and gestured to the alleged vehicle responsible.

An officer with MPD attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver fled. During the pursuit, the officer’s vehicle was hit twice by the suspect’s vehicle. MPD was able to apprehend the suspect on East Capitol Street NE. The driver was identified as Smith. After running the tags on Smith’s vehicle, MPD discovered he was also wanted for homicide in Maryland.

Judge McKenna ordered Smith be held, due to the nature of his outstanding arrest warrant and the serious allegations in the police assault case.

Of those who were released, three defendants are charged in domestic violence cases. Their charges include destruction of property less than $1,000, attempted threats to do bodily harm, second-degree theft and simple assault. All three defendants were released with stay away orders from the alleged victims.

Four defendants with fugitive charges were also released. Three of the defendants were ordered to turn themselves in to the demanding jurisdictions.

The other defendant, a fugitive from Virginia with a larceny charge, has been in the hospital since Oct. 10 but was released on Oct. 30. He was served with a notice to re-appear in court on Nov. 2.

Judge McKenna released one defendant charged with a felony. The defendant, charged with possession of a firearm with a prior conviction and possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device, was ordered not to possess any firearms or ammunition in DC while his case is pending.

Two misdemeanor defendants were released. One, charged with second-degree theft, was ordered to report to the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA), and the other, charged with simple assault, was issued a stay away order.

Judge McKenna released two defendants who were brought in on bench warrants for failing to appear at their hearings. One of the defendants had failed to appear at a probation hearing, and the judge decided to terminate his probation successfully.

Additionally, nine defendants did not have charges filed against them by the prosecution.

Judge Sentences Theft Defendant to 18 Months

On Oct. 30, a DC Superior Court judge sentenced a first-degree theft defendant to 18 months.

John Leach was originally charged with robbery and first-degree theft. As part of a plea agreement, the robbery charge was dropped.

On June 25, 2019, Leach stole a pouch containing a wallet passport, credit cards, a driver’s license and a wedding band from someone on the 4800 block of Jay Street, NE.

The 20-year-old defendant was on probation for robbery in one case and second-degree theft in another. However, the two probations are set for show cause hearings, and could be revoked.

During the Oct. 30 hearing, Judge Rainey Brandt ordered his first-degree theft sentence to run concurrently with any other re-sentence that may be imposed in those cases.

In those two cases, Leach, 20, was sentenced under the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA). The prosecution asked that Leach not get the Youth Act this time.

However, defense attorney Stephanie Johnson argued that Leach is very young and has done immature things which would be the exact reason why he should be sentenced under the youth act.

Judge Brandt agreed with the prosecution. She didn’t think that the YRA would be appropriate for this case.

Leach will receive credit for time served and must pay $100 to the Victims of Violent Crime Compensation fund.

4 Defendants Held During Initial Hearings Thursday

Judge Juliet McKenna presided over 29 presentment hearings on Oct. 29, and she held four defendants in DC Jail.

Hugh Rorie, 37, was held for unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction.

On Oct. 28, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) executed a search warrant of Rorie’s residence and found him in bed near a firearm hidden in the wall. Officers also recovered ammunition and other firearm accessories in the room.

Although Rorie’s three family members were allegedly involved in the crimes, they were all released, and Judge McKenna chose to hold Rorie due to his lengthy criminal record, which includes multiple firearm convictions.

Matthias Onley, 19, is charged with robbery after he allegedly robbed a 7-Eleven, taking cash and tobacco products, on the 300 block of Hawaii Avenue, NE. Onley attempted to flee in a complaining witness’ vehicle, but officers were able to stop him since he had difficulty operating the vehicle.

Judge McKenna granted the prosecution’s request to hold the defendant since he is on probation for a similar offense that occurred in 2017.

A domestic violence defendant was held on charges of assault with a dangerous weapon after he allegedly attacked the victim in broad daylight with scissors.

The defendant, 26, is currently on pretrial release for other charges and is also on supervision in a 2012 case. The prosecution requested that the defendant be held, saying he is a danger to the community.

Judge McKenna granted the request and ordered the defendant held.

Another domestic violence defendant was also held on charges of assault and second-degree theft.

The 20-year-old defendant was already on probation for another domestic violence matter. The new charges involved the same victim. By picking up these new charges, the defendant also violated his probation conditions.

Judge McKenna held the defendant because she feared for the safety of the victim.

Six felony defendants were released. Two of these defendants are co-defendants in Rorie’s case. Another two are charged with carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business. The final two are charged with second-degree burglary, second-degree theft and destruction of property less than $1,000.

Four domestic violence defendants were also released. They picked up charges of simple assault, attempted threats, attempted possession of a prohibited weapon and second-degree theft.

A group of four co-defendants were released with charges of unlawful entry of private property, receiving stolen property less than $1,000, fleeing a law enforcement officer and driving without a permit. All four were given orders to stay away from the victim and her residence.

Two defendants, charged with assault on a police officer, were also released on the condition they comply with pretrial services.

Three fugitives from justice were released and ordered to return to the jurisdictions in Virginia that issued warrants for their arrests.

An additional six defendants were released on various misdemeanor and traffic charges. One of these defendants was the final co-defendant in Rorie’s case.

This article was written by Sierra Robbins.

Document: Police Arrest Virginia Resident for Second-Degree Burglary

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers made an arrest in connection to a second-degree burglary offense that took place in the early morning hours of Aug 10.

At around 9:22 a.m., a suspect forced his way into a garage before taking property and fleeing the scene.

A 31 year-old resident of Newport News, Va. was arrested on Oct. 29.

Document: Suspect Sought for Assault with a Knife

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) seeks a suspect in connection to an assault with a dangerous weapon that occurred on Oct. 29.

At around 9:03 p.m., the suspect approached the victim on the unit block of Florida Avenue, NE and stabbed the victim with a knife. The suspect fled the scene, and the victim was treated by DC Fire and EMS officials for non-life threatening injuries.

The suspect can be seen in the photo and video below.

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