Crime Alerts: August 31-September 1

Between 9 p.m. on Aug. 31 and 9 a.m. on Sept. 1, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out three crime alerts.

The most recent alert was sent at 6:29 a.m. for a robbery investigation on the 4000 block of 16th Street, NW. Police are looking for four Black, male juveniles between 17 and 18 years of age, wearing all black clothing. They were last seen heading west on Shepherd Street, NW.

An alert for an armed robbery was sent at 6:23 a.m. at the intersection of 14th Street and Nicholson Street, NW. Police are looking for four Black, male juveniles, wearing all black with black masks armed with a handgun. They were last seen heading west on the 1400 block of Nicholson Street, NW.

The final alert was sent at 12:12 a.m. for a stabbing on the 2100 block of Mississippi Avenue, SE. Police do not have a description of the suspect(s).

If anyone has information about these events, please contact the police.

Document: Suspect and Vehicle of Interest Sought in Columbia Heights Homicide

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are seeking the public’s help locating a suspect and vehicle of interest in connection with a homicide that occurred on Aug. 25.

At around 11:24 p.m., officers responded to the 1300 block of Clifton Street, NW for the report for the report of a shooting. There, they found Adam Fongyen, a 31-year-old resident of Northwest, DC, suffering from a gunshot wound. Fongyen was pronounced dead on scene.

The suspect and vehicle of interest can be seen in surveillance footage.

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Judge Holds 14 Out of 43 Defendants During Initial Hearings

On Aug. 31, DC Superior Court Judge James Crowell released 29 defendants and held 14 defendants in DC Jail during their initial hearings.

Judge Crowell held five defendants in domestic violence cases.

The first defendant is charged with violation of a Civil Protection Order (CPO) and contempt for violating a release condition. The judge deemed that he would not be able to comply with a government order as he has violated the protection order in place twice.

The second defendant, charged with contempt for violating a release condition, was held because he has continually violated release conditions. Judge Crowell stated the defendant has been wholly out of compliance with pretrial services (PSA) since May, in addition to willfully violating court stay-away orders.

A third defendant involved in a domestic violence case was held due to threatening his victim from a previous domestic violence case less than two months after the first incident.

The fourth domestic violence defendant that Judge Crowell held is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon. He was placed into the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) in July and has since violated home confinement regulations close to twenty times. His disregard for the previous restrictions prompted the judge to grant the hold.

The final domestic violence defendant, who is being held, is charged with armed robbery and assault with a dangerous weapon, which was a gun. Judge Crowell held the defendant, citing a 2016 conviction involving the same complainant in his new case.

One defendant, David Lucas, is charged with unlawful entry of private property and GPS tampering for failing to charge his monitoring device. The judge released him in the unlawful entry case but held him in the GPS case because of his previous history of not complying with monitoring regulations.

Yaren Denbu, a fugitive from justice from Virginia is charged with aggravated assault with a gun. The judge labeled the nature of the charges extraordinarily serious and decided to hold him to give officers from the state of Virginia three days to pick him up.

Caleb Lavender, a fugitive from justice, is wanted in Maryland for first-degree assault. He is also charged with second-degree theft in another case. A bench warrant was also issued for his failure to appear to a hearing. The judge held Lavender in his fugitive case, citing the seriousness of the charge.

Three fugitives from justice, Kevin Williams, Tyrell Burton and Cortez Smith, are wanted in Maryland for robbery. Based on their separate criminal history and the nature of their charges, Judge Crowell said he was inclined to hold them for three days. Smith is also on HISP in another DC criminal case, which the judge said further affirmed his decision.

Amir Golden, who is charged with armed robbery for an alleged incident that occurred mid-day on Aug. 29, was held. The judge said the defendant already had multiple violations of probation. He stated the nature of the crime exemplifies that he may further pose a danger to the community. According to court documents, Golden allegedly violently robbed an individual of her purse using a firearm.

Natasha Smith was also held. She is charged with simple assault, assault on a police officer, and possession of a prohibited weapon in a misdemeanor case. She was deemed a loss of contact with PSA for a felony case she has pending for robbery. Judge Crowell was troubled by the loss of contact in her felony cases and the “serious misdemeanor” and granted the hold.

According to the DC Courts website, Smith received two notices of noncompliance on Aug. 4 and June 5 in her felony case. She also had a hearing in the felony case on Aug. 31 which she missed because she was being held in jail for the misdemeanor offenses.

The final defendant held, Charlene Blocker, was brought in on three bench warrants for failing to appear at her hearings in two pending cases and a case for which she is on probation for. Her underlying charges in the cases include shoplifting, possession of drug paraphernalia and second-degree theft. Judge Crowell held Blocker, citing her dozens of convictions, multiple open cases and general lack of compliance.

Of those released, four defendants did not have charges filed against them and one was dismissed by the prosecution.

Judge Crowell released five defendants charged in domestic violence cases. All were given either stay-away orders or no harassing, assaultive, stalking or threatening (HATS) orders.

Three defendants charged with being fugitives from justice were released with orders to turn themselves in to the demanding jurisdictions within 24 hours.

Sixteen additional cases were heard by Judge Crowell, and all were released with various release conditions.

Judge Lifts Curfew for Armed Robbery Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge removed an armed robbery defendant’s curfew so she could explore employment opportunities.

Sixteen-year-old Tyliyah Gillis is accused of robbing a victim on March 7 on the platform of the Congress Heights Metro Station.

Gillis was detained after her initial hearing on March 10, according to DC Courts. She was released in this case two days later. However, she received notices of noncompliance with her release conditions, and, on Aug. 5, she was put under the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) with a curfew and GPS monitoring.

During the Aug. 31 hearing, a Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) representative said the defendant was violating her 10 p.m. curfew daily and was not consistently following GPS conditions.

The defendant said she had not complied due to scheduling issues with her job and unstable living conditions. The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority has reduced hours and routes due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the defendant said she frequently missed buses and trains and was forced to wait.

Defense attorney Amanda Rogers said her client has found new employment opportunities and is able to stay with her mother.

Because of this, Rogers asked Judge Gerald Fisher to lift the curfew so that her client could pursue opportunities and comply with her release conditions.

Judge Fisher granted the request.

Judge Sets Hearing for Defendant with Multiple Charges

On Aug. 31 a DC Superior Court judge set a hearing date for a suspect charged with contempt.

Brittany Marshall, 26, is charged with contempt for allegedly violating a stay away order from the White House. She is also charged with attempted threats to do bodily harm and unlawful entry onto public property.

The prosecution offered Marshall a plea deal that would reduce her charges to one count of unlawful entry and one count of threats to do bodily harm. Marshall rejected the plea offer.

On Feb. 11, the defendant allegedly trespassed 15 feet into restricted White House territory on the 1600 block of E Street, NW. She received a stay away order from the White House zone, but allegedly returned to the area on Feb. 18, according to court documents.

Marshall also allegedly yelled at a community opportunity center employee on the 1300 block of Alabama Avenue, SE on Feb. 20.

Judge Michael Ryan scheduled a status hearing for Feb. 17.

Brittney Marshall 2020 CMD 002097

Bench Warrant Issued for Solicitation Defendant’s Arrest

A DC Superior Court Judge Gerald Fisher issued a bench warrant for the arrest of a defendant who did not show up to her Aug. 31 court hearing.

Sheronne Wilson, 40, is charged with sexual solicitation. She was arrested on the 5000 block of Meade Street, NE in the aftermath of an undercover operation that the Metropolitan Police Department conducted on Dec. 31, 2019.

Wilson was put on pretrial release with orders to stay away from the location of the alleged crime.

She failed to appear in court in March, with her defense attorney, Ravi Regunathan, saying Wilson was participating in a residential treatment program.

Her defense attorney said he had not been in contact with the defendant for the last few months.

Judge Modifies Defendant’s Pretrial Release Conditions

A defendant’s request to change his pretrial release conditions, citing new employment and education opportunities, was granted Aug. 31 by a DC Superior Court judge.

Melvin Johnson is charged with carrying a pistol outside a home or business, unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction and two counts of first-degree theft in three cases.

Johnson, 22, picked up the theft charges on March 14, 2019, and the weapons charges on Feb. 29. The defendant was put on pretrial release in his 2019 cases, but was detained at the DC Jail after picking up his more recent charges.

On April 22, Johnson was released under the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP.) He was restricted to 24-hour home confinement and forced to wear a GPS monitor. He was also given orders to stay away from two different locations in Northwest DC.

The Aug. 31 hearing was scheduled to address defense attorney Drew Flood’s motion to have his client’s release conditions modified.

During the hearing, Flood said the defendant has been in compliance with his pretrial conditions since April, and has new employment and educational opportunities. He asked Judge Gerald Fisher to lift Johnson’s stay away orders, and allow him to leave his home, so long as he continues to wear his GPS device.

Judge Fisher granted Johnson’s request to have his home confinement modified to allow him to visit pre-approved locations, so long as he stays in compliance with a new curfew.

According to court documents, two police officers with the Metropolitan Police Department were called to the 1100 block of 2nd Street, SE after a witness saw two individuals tampering with parked vehicles. The witness allegedly told MPD that the individuals were currently inside of a Subway restaurant in the area.

MPD quickly discovered that Johnson was wanted for numerous thefts in the area and arrested him.

Judge Issues Bench Warrant for Defendant Convicted of Gun Possession

DC Superior Court Judge Erik Christian issued a bench warrant for the arrest of a felon on probation.

Alaunte Scott, 19, was sentenced to one year of probation for carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business in December of 2019. His sentence was passed under the guideline of the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA.)

Scott was scheduled for a probation hearing on Aug. 31 to determine probable cause regarding the search. However, he failed to appear.

Scott picked up the case after an incident that occurred July 26 on the 1900 block of 17th Street, SE. on July 26. According to court documents, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers noticed a bulge in Scott’s left pocket and recovered the weapon.

Judge Sentences Defendant to Three Years in Prison for Robbery

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a defendant to three years and three months in prison.

A grand jury found Suleman Muhammed Hamid, 24, guilty for robbery, assault with intent to commit robbery and possession of a controlled substance on March 3.

Judge Michale O’Keefe sentenced Hamid to 36 months for robbery and 36 months for assault with intent to commit robbery. The two sentences will run concurrently. Judge O’keefe also sentenced Hamid to 90 days for possession of a controlled substance, which will also run consecutive to the other sentences.

Once released, Hamid will also have to serve three years of supervised release. Hamid must also receive mental health treatments, participate in job training and maintain employment or enter into an educational program.

He is ordered to pay $100 to the Victims of Violent Crime fund for robbery, $100 for assault with intent to commit robbery, and $50 for possession of a controlled substance.

In 2018, security cameras caught Hamid robbing a man, according to court documents. Hamid reached in the victim’s pocket, grabbed his wallet and then punched him before fleeing the scene. At the time of the robbery, Hamid was driving a vehicle without permission. When the crime occurred, he was on probation for another robbery that took place in Maryland.

Hamid’s attorney, Nikki Lotez, asked for leniency and the mandatory minimum of two years.

Lotez also asked for her client to be sentenced under the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA,) but Judge O’Keefe denied the request due to the similar robbery case that occurred in Maryland. He also denied the request for Hamid to receive the mandatory minimum.

Lotez pointed out the doctor’s observation of paranoid behavior and indicators that suggest Hamid is struggling with mental illness.

But, Judge O’Keefe responded by recalling Hamid’s failure to appear in court, his failure to comply with the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) and an incident in which Hamid was outside the courtroom but left before the case was called.

Hamid has the right to appeal within the next 30 days.

Judge Finds Probable Cause for Child Sexual Abuse Case, Holds Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge ruled that a sex abuse case has enough evidence to go to trial. The defendant will remain held at the DC Jail.

The defendant is charged with three counts of sexual abuse on minors in connection with an incident that occurred at the Gallery Place Chinatown Metro Station on July 6. According to court documents, the defendant, 23, approached three minors and exposed himself while making indecent remarks to them. He allegedly touched one of the victims above the genital area. Before the victims managed to get away as the train approached, the defendant allegedly slapped their buttocks and one of the victim’s breasts.

Using footage from Gallery Place Metro Station, DC Metro Transit Police officer identified the three victims and the defendant during the hearing.

The witness said he was close to L’Enfant plaza when he learned about the complaint while looking into another sexual abuse complaint involving an adult woman who was groped on an escalator.

The witness said the defendant was detained for both complaints.

During cross-examination, the witness told defense attorney Stephany Reaves that the description of the suspect came directly from a dispatcher and not from the victims themselves.

The witness said he never talked to the victims. All information given to him was by other officers.

Judge Todd Edelman decided to hold Morgan because of his criminal history. Morgan is on probation for a 2017 case that includes charges for indecent sexual proposals to a minor, lewd or obscene acts and assault.

The COVID-19 pandemic has also caused Morgan to not meet his probation officer and not start sexual harassment training.

Reaves argued that while the allegations are serious, it doesn’t involve any weapons or threats.

Reaves said Morgan has potential as he was enrolled in a GED program with Youthbuild. She asked for Morgan to be released and put on GPS monitoring so he can get the rehabilitation that he needs.

However, Judge Edelman stuck with his original decision to hold Morgan.

“The defendant’s release would pose a danger to the community,” he said. “The facts of this case involving sexual touching of children is concerning. Even more concerning is that this occurs while Mr. Morgan is under court supervision for a similar case.”

Judge Edelman scheduled a felony status conference for Nov. 13 to decide how to move forward with the case.

Felony Marijuana Case Continued for Possible Resolution

A DC Superior Court judge continued a hearing to possibly resolve a felony marijuana case.

Nolan Sundita, 32, is charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Sundita and his co-defendant, Moustafa Wali, picked up the case after Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers allegedly found around 40 pounds of marijuana while executing a search warrant of his Watergate Hotel room on Nov. 18, 2019.

During the Aug. 31 hearing, defense attorney Shawn Sukumar said his client was interested in taking a plea offer that the prosecution extended.

The plea offer does not apply to Wali, who has a bench warrant out for his arrest due to not appearing in court.

Judge Rainey Brandt scheduled Sundita’s next hearing for Sept. 28.

Judge Schedules Hearing for Assault Case

On Aug. 31, a DC Superior Court judge scheduled a preliminary hearing to determine if an assault case has enough evidence to go to trial.

Andrew Wooten is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon in connection with a stabbing that occurred on June 12 on the block of 5700 3rd Street, NE.

Defense attorney Linda Houston also filed a motion to release her client from DC Jail until a determination was made on whether the case would go to trial. Her motion stated that Wooten should be released because he may have acted out of self-defense.

Judge Julie Becker said the motion would be addressed during the preliminary hearing, which she scheduled for Sept. 10.

Wooten was originally scheduled to have his preliminary hearing on Aug. 17. The hearing was postponed because he refused to take a mandatory COVID-19 test. Wooten said he did not know the test was mandatory and would take it before his next hearing.

According to court documents, Wooten, 35, was allegedly in the parking garage of an Extra Space storage center when the victim confronted him. The victim and Wooten began arguing after the victim asked Wooten to leave the premises because he didn’t believe Wooten had a storage unit there.

Judge Warns Defendant to Stay Away from Victim

A D.C. Superior Court judge warned a defendant to maintain compliance with his pretrial release conditions.

Alexander Dillard, 41, is charged with simple assault in a misdemeanor case in connection with an incident that occurred on June 12 on the 100 block of Irvington Street, SW.

During his Aug. 31 hearing, the prosecution said that Dillard violated an order to stay away from and not contact the victim.The prosecutor said the victim was very serious about Dillard honoring the no-contact order.

Judge Gerald Fisher warned that the defendant may end up in jail if he fails to comply over the following weeks.

After Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers were dispatched to the incident, the victim said that she and Dillard had an argument that resulted in the defendant striking her twice in the face. The defendant then allegedly ran from the scene before MPD had arrived, but returned later that night, according to court documents.

The victim then called officers back to the scene. The police arrested Dillard was arrested for simple assault on July 12.

Dillard’s next hearing is set for Oct. 13.

Document: Several Suspects Arrested in Connection with Robberies

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) has arrested suspects in connection with several robberies that happened in DC.

On Aug. 25, the MPD arrested two 17-year-old males for unarmed carjacking and robbery. At around 11:49 p.m. that day, the suspects allegedly approached the victims, who were in a vehicle, on the Unit block of L Street, SE. One suspect allegedly opened the vehicle’s doors and tried to take the keys. The other suspect allegedly took the other victim’s property, and then the two fled the scene.

Police also arrested a 28-year-old resident of Northwest, DC for a robbery that occurred on Aug. 25. At around 12:00 a.m., the suspect allegedly approached a victim on the Unit block of Massachusetts Avenue, NE, snatched the victim’s property and fled the scene. The suspect was arrested that same day.

One day earlier, a 19-year-old resident of Northeast, DC was arrested in connection with an armed robbery that occurred July 28 on the 100 block of Pierce Street, NW.

At around 1:25 p.m., the suspect and victim allegedly arranged to meet up to sell a vehicle. Two suspects approached the victim. After the victim paid for the vehicle, one suspect allegedly pulled out a handgun and told the victim to get out of the vehicle. The suspects fled the scene in the vehicle after the victim complied. The case remains under investigation.

On Aug. 23, police arrested a 20-year-old resident of Northwest, DC in connection with a robbery that took place that day. At around 9:40 p.m., the suspect allegedly approached the victim on the 3400 block of Holmead Place, NW. The suspect allegedly assaulted the victim and took her property.

Also on Aug. 23, police arrested a 20-year-old resident of Hyattsville, Md. in connection with an assault with intent to commit robbery that occurred that day.

At around 10:00 p.m., the suspect allegedly approached the victim on the 5900 block of Georgia Avenue, NW. The suspect allegedly assaulted the victim and then tried to take the victim’s property.

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Document: Suspect Sought for Parental Kidnapping and Burglary

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are seeking the public’s assistance locating the suspect of a parental kidnapping and burglary.

At around 12:47 a.m. on Aug. 30, a suspect forcibly entered a residence on the 1300 Block of T Street, SE. He then took a three-year-old child and fled in a white Chevy Suburban.

The child has since been located, but police are still seeking the suspect.

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