Document: Suspect Sought in Armed Robbery

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating an armed robbery that occurred on the 1600 block of Constitution Avenue, NE on Sept. 24.

The suspect in question allegedly revealed a handgun to a victim and took their property. The suspect was captured by surveillance footage.

MPD is asking for anyone who has knowledge of the incidence to alert the police at (202) 727-9099 or text your tip to the Department’s TEXT TIP LINE– 50411. Anyone who provides information that leads to an arrest and conviction could receive up to a $10,000 reward.

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Domestic Violence Defendant Pleads Guilty to Contempt

On Oct. 8, a DC Superior Court judge sentenced a domestic violence defendant to two years of probation.

Farhan Rana was initially charged with felony stalking on June 29, 2019. He was ordered to stay away from the victim in the case, but violated the order between July and November of 2019. Rana also tried to contact the the victim through social media and a third party. He also threatened her if she did not remove the stay away order.

As part of a deal with the prosecution, Rana pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of contempt.

Judge Michael O’Keefe sentenced Rana to 180 days, all of which were suspended, plus two years of probation.

The stay away order will continue to be in place, and Rana will have to delete any photos of the victims. He will be supervised throughout the deletion process.

Rana’s probation will be carried out in Georgia, where he now lives.

Abigail Grifno wrote this article.

Judge Sets Trial Date for Juvenile Charged with 1st-Degree Murder

On Oct. 8, a DC judge scheduled a trial date for a juvenile charged with first-degree murder while armed and carrying a pistol without a license.

DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld heard from the juvenile’s defense counsel, Kevin O’Sullivan, regarding a fourth motion for release.

The juvenile is charged with the murder of 36-year-old Antonio Gardiner on July 4 outside a McDonald’s in Southeast, DC.

According to O’Sullivan, the juvenile was only under supervision in his other cases because his Deferred Dispositional Agreement (DDA) had been extended because he failed to pay $944 in restitution to a victim in one of his cases.

O’Sullivan said a juvenile couldn’t be expected to pay almost $1,000 during a pandemic, and he had been in compliance with all of his other conditions.

The juvenile was sentenced under the DDA on Dec. 19, 2019, and O’Sullivan said his DDA was set to expire on July 1, three days before the alleged murder.

He argued that if the DDA had not been extended, the juvenile would have had his other convictions set aside by the time the alleged offense occurred.

The prosecution, however, stated the DDA was a nine-month long agreement.

She also said the DC government was extremely generous in allowing the respondent to continue with his DDA as he incurred another charge while under the agreement, which was in violation of the agreement.

O’Sullivan acknowledged that they had not seen a copy of the agreement, but had only seen reports from the juvenile’s probation officer.

O’Sullivan then argued for the juvenile’s release on the basis that the emergency order for the pandemic does not include the ability to hold juveniles more than 45 days. He said holding the juvenile for 92 days is unconstitutional, and he should be released.

“I don’t find the detention is unlawful given the deadlines have been suspended,”Judge Hertzfeld said after reading a statute for the record. She declined the defense’s motion for release and asked if the parties wanted to schedule a trial.

Given the pandemic, counsel asked for a trial date in early January of 2021 in hopes that the courts will be reopened.

The juvenile’s trial is scheduled to start on Jan. 5, 2021.

Read D.C. Witness’ previous article on the juvenile’s case.

This was written by Krystin Roehl

Defendant Charged with Theft and Simple Assault Passes Away

A defendant’s cases will be closed once her death is verified.

Eza Gatrell, 38, was convicted of second-degree theft in one case and simple assault and second-degree theft in another. In November 2019, she was sentenced to serve a total of 30 days followed by six months of supervised probation. Conditions of her probation in the theft charges included completing 40 hours of community service.

Gatrell was scheduled to appear in court for a probation show case hearing on Oct. 8. During the hearing, defense attorney Frederick Iverson told DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe that his client died in a car accident on Sept. 7.

Judge O’Keefe requested verification of death to be turned in prior to the next hearing.

The next hearing, which is expected to be vacated upon verification of Gatrell’s death, is scheduled for Nov. 8.

Abigail Grifno wrote this story.

Document: Suspect Arrested for Second-Degree Burglary

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrested a suspect in connection with a second-degree burglary offense that happened on Aug. 21.

At around 5:00 p.m., suspects forced their way into a building on the 800 block of Upshur Street, NW. Once inside, they took property and fled the scene.

On Oct. 7, a 52 year-old with no fixed address was arrested.

The case remains under investigation.

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Document: Suspect Arrested for Offenses Including Assault on Police Officer

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives arrested a suspect in connection with an assault on a police officer offense that happened on Sept. 8.

At around 2:40 a.m., officers approached a group of people who were around a vehicle on the 1300 block of Savannah Street, SE.

A suspect entered the vehicle and retrieved a handgun. The suspect pointed the handgun in the direction of officers as he fled the scene.

On Oct. 6, a 33 year-old resident of Southeast, DC was arrested for assault on a police officer, carrying a pistol without a license, possession of an unregistered firearm, possession of unregistered ammunition, possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device and felon in possession.

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Document: Suspects Arrested for Armed Kidnapping and Robbery

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrested two suspects in connection with an armed kidnapping and robbery offense that happened on Oct. 7.

One of the suspects was 27 year-old Bernard Coleman III, who was wanted for allegedly escaping St. Elizabeths Hospital on Oct. 4 while awaiting sentencing for first-degree murder.

At around 4:12 a.m., suspects approached the victim inside a residence on the 400 block of Chapin Street, SE. The suspects assaulted the victim. During the assault, the suspects were armed with a taser and a knife. The suspects then restrained the victim and forced them into the basement of a residence. The suspects took property and a vehicle from the victim. One of the suspects then fled the scene.

The victim was treated for non-life threatening injuries.

A 22 year-old resident of Southeast, DC was apprehended by responding officers. He was arrested for armed kidnapping, armed robbery, and assault with a dangerous weapon.

As a result of the investigation, Coleman was arrested for armed kidnapping, armed robbery, assault with a dangerous weapon, first-degree theft and second-degree theft.

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Crime Alerts: Sept. 7-8

The Metropolitan Police Department sent out six crime alerts from the evening of Sept. 7 to the morning of Sept. 8.

The most recent crime alert was sent at 1:37 a.m. for a shooting on the 1000 block of 12th Street, SE. Police are looking for a silver SUV.

At 12:34 a.m., an alert was sent for another shooting investigation on the Unit block of New York Avenue, NW. Police are looking for a Hyundai SUV, orange in color.

On Sept. 7 at 11:13 p.m., an alert was sent for a robbery by force at the intersection of 10th Street, NE and Newton Street, NE. Police are looking for 4-5 black males who are 18-20 years old.

At 8:58 p.m. an alert was ent out for a robbery investigation on the 3900 block Minnesota Avenue, NE. Police are looking for a black male wearing all black clothing armed with silver handgun occupying black vehicle.

Police also sen out an alert of a shooting on the 4300 block of Wheeler Road, SE at 8:08 p.m. Police do not have a description of the suspect.

At 5:04 p.m. police sent out an alert of a robbery by force and violence, in which a gun was used, on the 3500 block of 14th Street, NW; Police are looking for one black male who is between 21-22 years old, wearing a black shirt and black shorts. He was last seen running towards Holmead from Perry Street, NW.

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

Document: Victim Dies 2 Days After Shooting

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that happened on Oct. 5.

At around 8:30 p.m., officers responded to the 400 block of Orange Street, SE due to the sound of gunshots. There, they found four people suffering from gunshot wounds.

One man and two woman were taken to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

Another victim, Bobby Plumme, was taken to the hospital with a life threatening gunshot wound. Plumme, a 42 year-old with no fixed address, died from his injuries on Oct. 7.

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8 Defendants Held During Initial Hearings

DC Superior Court Judge James Crowell held eight out of the 30 cases on Oct. 7.

Anthony Robinson, 58, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and with being a fugitive from justice in Virginia. Robinson allegedly stabbed a victim in the chest after an argument ensued on the 2500 block of Firth Sterling Avenue, SE, on Oct. 5.

Judge Crowell said Robinson has 24 prior convictions and four executed bench warrants, leading him to believe that Robinson will not cooperate with pretrial release conditions and made the decision to hold him.

Kinshasa Reddock was held by Judge Crowell on charges for unlawful entry on to private property.

Reddock, 37, is on pretrial release in a different case and was ordered to stay away from the private residence that he unlawfully entered. Reddock has ten previous convictions and has been a loss of contact in his ongoing case, leading Judge Crowell to hold him without bail.

Judge Crowell held Darius Berry for unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction after he was allegedly carrying a handgun outside Children’s National Medical Center on Oct. 6.

Berry, 27, was convicted of assault with intent to kill and assault with significant bodily injury in 2014.

Due to the seriousness of his prior convictions and new charges, Judge Crowell determined Berry to be a danger to the community and granted the prosecution’s request for a hold.

William Edwards is charged with kidnapping while armed after he allegedly assaulted a staff member with a taser at a group home and dragged the victim down to the basement. The victim was allegedly held against his will for three hours. Edwards and another suspect allegedly robbed the victim.

Edwards, 22, said that he did it because of peer pressure. Edwards is currently on pretrial release for an additional charge in a 2018 case that occurred at the same group home.

Judge Crowell decided to hold Edwards due to the violent nature of his crimes.

Travis Shaw was held on charges of unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction and for assaulting a law enforcement officer while armed. On Sept. 8, Shaw allegedly pointed a gun at Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers while attempting to flee.

Shaw, 33, was previously convicted of assault with a dangerous weapon, robbery and burglary.

Judge Crowell said that Shaw shows a pattern of criminal behavior and will be held.

Judge Crowell also held Martel Howard for unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction. Howard was arrested by MPD officers after they allegedly observed him in a drug transition for oxycodone with two others.

Howard, 20, allegedly had a firearm concealed near his groin area that was found by MPD when they searched him.

This is Howard’s third reported firearm offense, with two previous convictions of carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business.

Jahi Ashanti Hyman Waters was involved in the same incident as Howard and is also charged with unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction.

Waters, 22, allegedly attempted to flee from MPD officers when they began to arrest Howard. Once MPD apprehended Waters, they searched the vehicle the three defendants were using. A firearm was allegedly hidden in a Cheez-It bag that Waters was seen reaching for.

Judge Crowell held Waters due to his escalating violence, as he has been charged with five violent offenses in the past two years.

Marcellus Stewart is charged with being a fugitive from justice in Maryland for a probation violation.

Although Judge Crowell released the defendant for the fugitive matter, there was an outstanding warrant for his arrest issued by the US Marshals. Stewart is being held until that matter can be taken care of.

Judge Crowell released five defendants charged with being fugitives from justice on the condition that they turn themselves in to the state that issued the arrest warrants.

Five domestic violence defendants are charged with attempted threats to do bodily harm, assault, misdemeanor sex abuse or a protective order violation. Two male and female defendants were given stay away orders, while a male defendant was given the order not to harass, abuse, threaten, or stalk (HATS) the victim. They were all released by Judge Crowell.

Three felony defendants were released on charges for carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business and contempt. The defendants must report weekly to the pretrial services agency (PSA).

Five misdemeanor defendants were released by Judge Crowell for charges of destroying property less than $1,000, tampering with GPS devices, assault, attempted threats to do bodily harm and assault of a law enforcement officer.

Four final defendants were released with various release conditions, including not possessing firearms, reporting to PSA, GPS monitoring and a stay away order.

This article was written by Sierra Robbins

Judge Issues 3 Bench Warrants During Probation, Pretrial Hearings

A DC Superior Court judge issues three bench warrants during the eight probation and pretrial hearings over which she presided on Oct. 7.

Judge Julie Becker issued a bench warrant for the arrests of Dan Pinkney, Keith Swann and Felicia Ledbetter after they failed to appear in court.

Pinkney, 61, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for allegedly hitting a victim with a pipe on the 700 block of Fairmont Street, NW, on June 14.

Defense attorney Betty Ballester said she did not know where her client is and has been unable to contact him. The Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) has also not been in touch with Pinkney since late August.

Swann, 49, is charged with threats to do bodily harm, shoplifting and simple assault.

According to the PSA, Swann has been a loss of contact since Aug. 26 and has not verified his address or attended the mandatory PSA orientation. A representative for the PSA also said Swann has been in sporadic contact with his mental health provider.

The prosecutor requested a bench warrant. However, defense attorney Everald Thompson asked the judge for more time to contact his client.

“Under the circumstances, I’m going to issue a bench warrant here,” Judge Becker said. “If he comes back in, we can get him back into contact and quash the warrant.”

Felicia Ledbetter, 40, is charged with second-degree theft and unlawful entry on to private property.

According to a PSA report, Ledbetter has been a loss of contact since early August.

Ledbetter’s attorney, Steven Polin said Ledbetter was a resident of a homeless shelter at the time of her arrest and has no fixed address. Polin was also unable to contact the defendant.

“I’m not wild about issuing a bench warrant in this case given the nature of the allegations,” she said. “I will note that bench warrants are not currently being picked up.”

Judge Becker initially issued a bench warrant for a Charles Perry, who is on probation for a bail violation. However, Perry, 41, showed up to court two hours late and the warrant was quashed.

Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA), said he has been a total loss of contact since he was released.

CSOSA asked for the defendant’s probation to be revoked due to his failure to meet any of his probation requirements. The defendant has also been rearrested on drug charges.

Judge Becker decided to terminate Perry’s probation as unsuccessful and ordered him to enter a residential treatment program. Perry will have to report weekly to PSA for his new case.

Judge Becker continued a firearm defendant’s probation show cause hearing.

Kevin Mosley was charged with carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, failure to register a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition and possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device.

CSOSA said Mosley has not made his payment to the Victims of Violent Crime (VVC) compensation fund, nor has he contacted them since July. Mosley, 34, did register as a gun offender and has not been arrested on any new charges.

The prosecutor requested a bench warrant for Mosley due to how long he has gone without contacting CSOSA.

However, Judge Becker denied the request.

“I don’t really want him picked up and put in jail,” she said. “His probation was originally scheduled to end in July but I’m not sure if he didn’t understand and ended up not reporting.”

Judge Becker scheduled Mosley’s next probation show cause hearing for Jan. 8.

Judge Becker discharged a show cause order for a defendant who is charged with assault on a police officer.

The PSA representative said, Mathew Cutis, 27, was a loss of contact, but re-established contact on Sept. 24.

Cutis’ attorney, Adam Hunter, said the defendant had been a loss of contact because he was in an inpatient treatment program.

The prosecutor asked for a judicial warning.

Judge Becker ordered the defendant to provide information to PSA that proves he was in a treatment program.

Cutis’ next court date is scheduled for March 19.

Woodrow Earle, 50, was charged with possession of a controlled substance, misuse of temporary tags, possession of drug paraphernalia and improper display of tags.

CSOSA said Earle’s compliance has been inconsistent. He was recently rearrested and still has to pay $50 to the VVC compensation fund.

Defense attorney, Betty Ballester said the only condition her client is unable to meet is the $50 VVC payment.

Judge Becker decided to amend the court’s judgment and commitment order to remove the VVC payment from Woodrow’s probation conditions. Woodrow will still have to pay $50 to the VVC fund but will not have his probation revoked if he is unable to pay.

Judge Continues Status Hearing for Murder Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge continued a murder defendant’s status hearing following testimony from two witnesses.

In June 2018, Torey Stockton was arrested for first-degree murder while armed in the death of 23-year-old Jasmine Light. Light was fatally shot on Jan. 17, 2018, on the 2000 block of 16th Street, SE.

The following March, Stockton, 23, was indicted on charges of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with intent to kill while armed, assault with significant bodily injury while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence drive by or random shooting, carrying a pistol outside home or business, tampering with physical evidence and obstruction of justice.

Due to time constraints, Judge Danya Dayson scheduled the status hearing to pick back up on Nov. 3.

During the Oct. 7 hearing, the lead defense attorney, Rachel McCoy, called on two witnesses to testify .

McCoy brought the first witness, a social worker, to the stand to discuss the possibility of Stockton getting pretrial release.

The social worker has worked closely with Stockton while he has been held at the DC Jail. She described Stockton’s close relationship with his family and possible employment if he were released.

However, during cross-examination, the social worker confirmed that Stockton had a close relationship with his family when the charges were first filed in 2018.

The witness also mentioned that Stockton was accepted to the Young Men Emerging Program, a youth rehabilitation program that includes education and job training as well as counseling groups. However, he has not started the program because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The defense’s second witness is on the defense’s investigation team. McCoy called him to testify regarding new evidence in the case.

The witness shared an alibi for the defendant. According to one of Stockton’s relatives, he was with her in Stafford, Va. when the shooting happened.

The witness also said that cell phone tower records were extracted, which show Stockton’s phone was not in the DC area when the shooting occurred. But, the prosecution saidt Stockton’s phone was not with him when he was arrested.

According to court documents, the shooting was allegedly in retaliation for a gold glock that was stolen from Stockton.

Document: Suspect Arrested for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers arrested a suspect for assault with a dangerous weapon.

At around 6:40 p.m. on Sept. 28, a suspect approached two victims on the 1900 block of M Street, NW. The suspect took out a knife and tried to assault one of the victims.

A short time later, the suspect approached two other victims at the same location. Again, he suspect took out a knife and tried to assault one of the victims. The suspect then fled the scene.

No injuries were reported in either incident.

A 35 year-old with no fixed address was arrested on Oct. 7.

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Judges Hold Nearly 20% of Defendants During Initial Hearings in 2nd Half of September

During the second half of September, DC Superior Court judges presided over 325 defendants during initial hearings.

Of all the cases, judges released 259 defendants and held 66 defendants in DC Jail or in the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services’ (DYRS) custody.

There were 68 felonies, 109 misdemeanors, 10 traffic offenses, 73 domestic violence cases, 45 fugitive cases, and 28 bench warrant cases.

Judges mentioned 36 instances of either pretrial, parole or probation violations, which included failure to appear at hearings, loss of contact, GPS monitor tampering, Civil Protective Order (CPO) or a Temporary Protective Order (TPO) violations and stay-away order violations.

There were a total of 73 defendants charged in domestic violence cases. Of those cases, nine defendants were held in DC jail and 64 were released.

The charges of the held domestic violence defendants included violation of a CPO or TPO, simple assault, contempt, unlawful entry, threats to do bodily harm, destruction of property, extortion and impersonating a police officer.

Of the 64 domestic violence defendants released, 55 were given stay-away orders and nine were given no harassing, assaulting, threatening or stalking (HATS) orders toward the alleged victims.

Nine domestic violence defendants, five who were held and four who were released, were brought in on charges for violating conditions of their release.

Five domestic violence defendants violated stay-away orders by re-visiting the same victim from a prior case.

Of the three judges who presided over presentments in the last 15 days of September, Judge Juliet McKenna held the greatest percentage of defendants. She held almost 27 percent of the cases she heard, holding 18 and releasing 49.

Judge James Crowell and Judge Heide Herrmann both held almost 19 percent of the defendants they spoke with. Judge Crowell held 29 defendants and released 127. Judge Herrmann held 19 and released 83 defendants.

Judge Sentences Sex Abuse Defendant to 20 Years in Prison

On Oct. 7, a DC Superior Court judge sentenced a sex abuse defendant to 20 years in prison with five years of supervised release.

Reginald White pleaded guilty to one count of sexual abuse in October of 2019. The second count was dropped in the plea agreement.

The incident took place on the 3800 block of 7th Street, NW. According to court documents, the defendant, 51, forced himself sexually onto a 14-year-old minor.

During sentencing, the prosecution recommended a 24-year sentence.

“What he did is every parent’s worst nightmare,” said the prosecutor.

According to the prosecutor, the victim has told her that “even if he were to get life, my life will never be the same.”

The defendant read out a note for the court during his sentencing, apologizing for the damage he did.

Even though the defendant was apologetic, Judge Milton Lee expressed that nothing could atone for the victim’s traumatic experience.

“Her sentence is a lifetime one,” Judge Lee said.”It will be something that haunts her day and night.”

Judge Lee recommended sex offender treatment for the defendant while he is incarcerated. White will also be required to register as a sex offender after his release in 20 years.

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