Defendant Gets Time Served for Possessing Meth and Brass Knuckles

A defendant pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance and possession of a prohibited weapon on Aug. 27.

According to court documents, three Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers apprehended Mohamed Mohamed on March 2 after they saw him sprinkle methamphetamine into a rolling paper on the 700 block of 7th Street, NW. He was also found to be in possession of brass knuckles.

Mohamed, 32, accepted a plea agreement that got his third charge for receiving stolen property dismissed.

DC Superior Court Judge Julie Becker sentenced the defendant to time served. Mohamed must also pay $50 to the Victims of Violent Crime fund for each of his two charges.

Document: Arrest Made in Assault with Dangerous Weapon

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrested a suspect for assault with a dangerous weapon that occurred on the 1300 block of New York Avenue, NW on Aug. 26.

At approximately 9:35 a.m., the suspect and victim were involved in a verbal altercation when the suspect struck the victim with a handbag that contained a metal object.

The victim was transported to a local hospital for non life-threatening injuries, and the suspect, a 34-year-old, was arrested and charged with assault with a dangerous weapon.

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Crime Alerts: August 26-27

Between 9 p.m. on Aug. 26 and 9 a.m. on Aug. 27, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out one crime alert.

The alert was sent at 12:52 a.m. for a shooting investigation on the 1000 block of 14th Street, SE. Police do not have a description of the suspect(s).

If anyone has information about this event, please call 911.

Document: Arrest Made In Homicide From 2018

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) has made an additional arrest from a homicide that occurred on July 16, 2018 on the 300 block of 53rd Street, NE.

At approximately 8 p.m., officers located a juvenile female, an adult female and an adult male suffering from gunshot wounds. After being transported to a local hospital, the juvenile female was pronounced dead.

She was identified as 10-year-old Makiyah Wilson.

Previously, MPD arrested eight males between the ages of 16 and 26 for the murder of Wilson. They were all charged with first-degree murder while armed.

On Aug. 26, U.S. Marshals transported an additional 20-year-old to the Homicide Branch where he was charged with first-degree murder while armed.

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Document: Vehicle Sought in Armed Robbery

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are looking for the public’s help locating a vehicle of interest in an armed robbery.

At around 3:29 p.m. on Aug. 26, a suspect approached the victim on the 5000 block of 1^st Street, NW and brandished a knife. The suspect took property from a victim and then fled in a car that a second suspect drove. The vehicle was captured by a surveillance photo.

Aug. 27 update: The MPD has released a video that show the suspect and vehicle that are sought in connection with the robbery.

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Judge Releases Firearms Defendant Under Home Confinement

A DC Superior Court judge released a defendant under home confinement, calling the context of his case “unusual and, quite frankly, profoundly tragic.”

Tywan Thomas is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction in two cases. On May 19, multiple suspects got out of a vehicle on the 1100 block of Talbert Street, SE. They allegedly shot at people who were standing on the block and then fled. Two people, Thomas’ brother and his friend, were killed. Another was injured.

Thomas allegedly pulled out a gun in self-defense, but did not fire it.

During the Aug. 27 hearing, defense attorney Joseph Yarbough asked for his client to be released. He noted that Thomas did not hurt anyone even after finding himself in serious danger and that he has been compliant with release conditions before.

However, the prosecution wanted Thomas to stay in DC Jail. Although the prosecutor acknowledged the circumstances surrounding the incident, he said, “we’re not charging this crime, we’re charging unlawful conviction of a firearm”

The judge decided to release the defendant into home confinement under the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP.)

“This is a very unique situation,” she said.

The defendant was charged in both of his cases on June 6, and has been held at DC Jail since then.

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers arrested Thomas the previous day at his home. The officers were there due to an outstanding warrant. The police saw Thomas allegedly throw a firearm out of his door, into the backyard, according to court documents.

Judge Holds Defendant Charged for 2 Cases Over Span of A Month

On Aug. 26, a DC Superior Court judge found probable cause and held a defendant charged with a felony.

Luis Gonzales is charged with second-degree theft and simple assault in a misdemeanor case for allegedly stealing from a store and fighting with an employee on the 1800 block of Columbia Road, NW on June 30. He committed the misdemeanor offense while on release in a felony case. Gonzales has been held in this case since July 1.

During the preliminary hearing, Judge Renee Raymond found probable cause for the misdemeanor offense based on witness testimonies, a police report, and video evidence.

Even though she released Gonzales in the misdemeanor case with a stay away order from the 1800 block of Columbia Road, NW, Judge Raymond held him in the felony matter.

In the felony case, he is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and first-degree burglary while armed for allegedly breaking into a residence, physically assaulting a resident with a pole, and stealing property on the 3500 block of 16th Street, NW on June 16. Gonzales was released in that case with a stay away order from the victims and their residence on June 17.

“What is very troubling is that he hasn’t been in the District for a very long time,” Judge Raymond said. “In that very little bit of time, he has managed to be charged with a pretty serious offense—assault with a dangerous weapon and burglary I while armed.

Gonzales’s next hearing is scheduled for Sept. 16.

Judge Schedules Hearing for Missing Person Case Considered Murder

A DC Superior Court Judge scheduled a preliminary hearing to determine if a murder case has enough evidence to go to trial.

Darnell Sterling is charged with second-degree murder in the death of Olga Ooro.

Ooro, 34, has been missing since July. 18. Her remains have not been found. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers arrested Sterling on July 23.

According to court documents, Sterling and the victim had a history of domestic violence, and the defendant gave conflicting accounts of the circumstances regarding her disappearance.

Sterling has previously been convicted with second-degree burglary and assault in 2009.

Judge Julie Becker scheduled Sterling’s preliminary hearing for Oct. 8.

Judge Holds 4 Of 18 Defendants During Initial Hearings

On Aug. 26, DC Superior Court Judge Juliet McKenna released 14 defendants and held four defendants in DC Jail during their initial hearings.

Three defendants charged with unlawful firearm offenses were held by Judge McKenna.

Marquel Minter is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction. The judge determined probable cause in this case because the defendant’s DNA was found on the pistol.

Judge McKenna approved the prosecution’s request for a hold because Minter is currently on supervision in two felony cases. He was also allegedly engaged in illegal conduct as he was found in a house with drugs and firearms.

Darius Thomas is also charged with unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction. Probable cause was determined in his case and a hold was deemed necessary due to evidence that Thomas engaged in illicit drug distribution while in possession of a firearm.

Judge McKenna decided to hold Lamar Jones, who is charged with armed robbery, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence or dangerous offense and unlawful possession of a firearm.

She determined that the police report establishes probable cause, especially since a witness positively identified Jones. Jones’ attorney requested home confinement instead of incarceration. However, the prosecution’s request for a hold was granted because Jones allegedly shot a witness during the robbery.

The judge held a defendant in a domestic violence case who was charged with contempt and violation of a Temporary Protection Order (TPO).

According to Judge McKenna, he defendant had been told to stay away from the victim twice and allegedly became extremely combative when confronted by officers on the scene.

Of those released, three defendants were charged in domestic violence cases. Judge McKenna released all three of them with stay-away orders from the alleged victims.

Judge McKenna also released two defendants charged with being fugitives from justice from Maryland. They are both to report as soon as possible to Maryland, where one is charged with shoplifting and the other with assault.

Three defendants with simple assault charges were released. One of the three defendants was also charged with attempted possession of a prohibited weapon, which was a knife. Another defendant has an additional charge of threats to do bodily harm. Judge McKenna released all three with stay-away orders. One defendant was also ordered to report for drug testing once available.

Two defendants charged with carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business were released. One of the two defendant was also charged with armed robbery and the possession of a firearm during a crime of violence or dangerous offense.

Both defendants were given stay-away orders and are prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. The judge also placed one of the defendants on 24-hour home confinement with GPS monitoring. The defendant is only permitted to leave his residence for verified employment purposes.

Four additional defendants charged with misdemeanors were released.

One defendant was still in the hospital, so his hearing is rescheduled for Aug. 27.

One fugitive from justice case was dismissed because Maryland authorities failed to retrieve the defendant from DC Jail within three business days.

Judge Finds ‘Substantial Evidence’ Against Defendant in Homicide Case

DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman determined in a hearing that there was enough evidence against a defendant in a homicide for the case to move forward.

Philbert Griffith Jr., 20, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly killing Southwest D.C. resident Alante Moore, 28, on the 1500 block of 19th Street, SE on June 19.

During the Aug. 26 hearing, the lead detective said the suspected murderer wore a belt with a large buckle and a hooded sweatshirt with writing on it. Griffith’s clothing matched the same description.

Griffith was also shot on June 19. He was treated for a gunshot wound in the abdomen in a nearby hospital where he was questioned by Washington.

The prosecution wanted Grffith to be held without bail in DC Jail. “[He is] still a major risk to the community at large,” the prosecutor said.

Defense attorney Douglas Wood, on the other hand, advocated that it was unjust to hold Griffith in jail because he does not have a previous criminal record.

Wood also said the homicide appeared to have been part of a larger conflict between two neighborhoods, but there was no evidence to suggest that Griffith was involved in this other conflict.

Judge Edelman determined that there were reasonable grounds for holding Griffith in jail and continuing the case.

“In my view, there is substantial evidence that he participated in this event,” Judge Edelman said.

The case is scheduled to continue with a felony status hearing on Jan. 6, 2021, at 9:30 a.m.

2020 CF1 005549

Judge Denies Request for Release After Viewing Video Evidence

On Aug. 26, a DC judge denied a defendant’s request for release.

Darius Perry, 24, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon following an incident occurring on July 11 between the Mt. Vernon and Shaw metro stations.

Surveillance footage from the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority showed Perry shooting the victim with a gun on the metro.

The footage also shows the victim, who was allegedly drunk, with a tequila bottle in his hand coming back from a party.

The prosecution said the victim approached Perry and attempted to hug him, but the defense said the victim was being aggressive.

The court also viewed Perry’s Instagram story which showed him in possession of a gun a couple weeks prior to the incident on the metro.

Perry’s defense attorney Corinne Schultz argued that Perry should be released and put on house arrest as he has strong community and family ties, a job that he could continue working at while on release, a school that he attends that trains special police officers, as well as no prior criminal record.

DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun said that although Perry had strong community ties, he would not release the defendant since the “notion of the circumstances were very serious in which the victim could have died.” Judge Okun also said video evidence strongly opposes any argument of self defense on the defendant’s behalf.

The Metropolitan Police Department arrested Perry on July 18. Perry will remain held at the DC Jail until his next hearing, which has not been scheduled as of Aug. 26.

Judge Keeps Defendant in Jail Until Sentencing

On Aug. 26, a defendant pleaded guilty to attempted assault with a dangerous weapon.

Javon Hale was originally charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for an incident that occurred on May 5. On that day, an Uber driver told Hale he could not drive the amount of people who were with him due to COVID-19 guidelines. The driver cancelled the trip and Hale then chased and stabbed the victim in the abdomen.

Hale’s attorney, James Williams, asked for his client to be released while he awaits sentencing. He said that Hale could greatly benefit from the types of services he could get on release, specifically anger management.

The prosecution asked that the defendant be held because the attack was unprovoked. The victim spent three days recovering in the hospital.

DC Superior Court Judge Julie Becker decided to hold Hale due to his history of not complying with probation.

Hale is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 29.

Document: Police Investigate Homicide in Columbia Heights

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a homicide that occurred in Columbia Heights shortly before midnight on Aug. 25.

Officers found 31-year-old Adam Fongyen suffering from a gunshot wound on the 1300 block of Clifton Street, NW. He died on the scene.

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. Anonymous information may be submitted to the department’s Text Tip Line — 50411.

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Document: Traffic Fatality On Suitland Parkway

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating a traffic fatality that occurred on Aug. 25 on Suitland Parkway near Stanton Road in Southeast DC.

At around 8:50 a.m., a Chevy Traverse was traveling inbound on the parkway when a dark colored vehicle approached from behind at high speed and attempted to pass the Traverse.

The driver of the Traverse lost vehicle of the car, crossed the median into oncoming traffic and struck a Ford Transit van head-on.

The unidentified vehicle, which is thought to possibly be black in color, continued on the parkway and sideswiped two additional vehicles before fleeing the scene.

The front seat passenger of the Traverse was transported to a local hospital for treatment but was pronounced dead after life saving efforts failed. The decedent has been identified as 42-year-old Sherry Knight from Lothian, Maryland.

The driver and rear passenger of the Traverse as well as both occupants of the Transit were transported to a local hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

Additionally, the drivers of the two vehicles that were sideswiped by the unidentified vehicle were treated and released on the scene.

The case remains under investigation by the MPD.

If anyone has information about this event, please call (202) 727-9099 or text at 50411.

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Crime Alerts: August 25-26

Between 9 p.m. on Aug. 25 and 9 a.m. on Aug. 26, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out three crime alerts.

The most recent alert was sent at 6:50 a.m. for a robbery that occurred at 6:06 a.m. on the 3200 block of Georgia Avenue, NW. Police are looking for three Black males, approximately 16 to 18 years of age, wearing masks. The first suspect is wearing a gray hoodie and black pants. The second suspect is wearing a black shirt and black pants. The third suspect is wearing a white baseball cap. The suspects were last seen heading westbound on Kenyon Street, NW in a gray sedan with unknown tags.

An alert for a shooting was sent at 3:04 a.m. on the 1800 block of Corcoran Street, NE. Police are looking for a white Chevy bearing Maryland tags 4BT1051.

The final alert was sent at 11:53 p.m. for a shooting on the 1300 block of Clifton Street, NW. Police are looking for a white Kia SUV.

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

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