On Aug. 12, DC Superior Court Judge Juliet McKenna continued a murder defendant’s hearing to Oct. 28.
Glenn Dolford is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the death of 26-year-old Raheem Murray. According to court documents, a car approached three victims who were standing on the 4300 block of 3rd Street, SE on Feb. 2. Dolford and another man allegedly got out of the vehicle and shot the victims.
Dolford, 27, has been held at DC Jail since June 26.
On Aug. 13, a robbery defendant pleaded guilty to attempted robbery.
Alfonzo Alegria, 37, was initially charged with robbery for grabbing a victim’s purse from her car when she was sleeping on the 60th block of New York Avenue, NW on May 1. According to court documents, the victim began to chase Alegria, and when she caught up to him, he began to choke her.
As part of the agreement, the prosecution agreed to recommend a shorter sentence for the offense.
Defense attorney Todd Baldwin asked DC Superior Court Judge Juliet McKenna to release Alegria while he waits to be sentenced, but Judge McKenna denied the request.
Judge McKenna said her choice to keep Alegria in jail was because the defendant was on supervised probation in three prior cases when he committed the crime.
Baldwin then asked the judge to sentence Alegria as quickly as possible.
Alegria is scheduled to appear in court again on Oct. 16 for sentencing.
On Aug. 13, a DC Superior Court judge sentenced a domestic violence defendant to 90 days in jail with credit for time served plus one year of probation.
Jose Rivera Vasquez pleaded guilty to violation of a civil protection order and contempt for violating his release conditions. On multiple occasions between February and June, Vasquez failed to abide by a protective order and stay away from his victim and her home.
“The very troubling piece about Mr. Vasquez’s conduct is that it has occurred over the course of a two-year period and it is repeated,” Judge Maribeth Raffinan said. “From the information that I have heard in this case, alcohol is also a tremendous problem and certainly needs to be addressed.”
According to both parties and the judge, the defendant was drunk during each incident.
The conditions of Vasquez’s probation include alcohol and drug testing, mental health screening, GPS monitoring and a stay away order from the victim and her home. He must also pay $150 to the Crime Victims Compensation fund.
Vasquez will serve two concurrent sentences of 45 days in DC Jail, with credit for time served, for a charge of violation of a civil protection order and a charge of contempt for violating his release conditions. He will also serve a consecutive sentence of 45 days for another violation of a civil protection order. For all three charges, Vasquez is also required to serve a concurrent sentences of one year on probation.
DC Superior Court Judge Juliet McKenna sentenced a defendant to 28 months of incarceration followed by three years of probation.
Samuel Bucey pleaded guilty to attempting to commit second-degree burglary. He was originally charged with first-degree burglary, second-degree burglary and possession on Feb. 6, 2017. According to court documents, Bucey broke into an apartment building and stole various items from multiple residences.
Bucey was also charged with bail violation for failing to appear in court on March 28, 2019.
As part of a plea agreement with the prosecution, the bail violation case and the remaining first-degree burglary and possession charges were dismissed.
“He robbed me of my sense of security,” the victim wrote in an impact statement that the prosecution read during the Aug. 13 hearing. “That is a loss that has no compensation.”
On Aug. 11, a DC Superior Court judge continued the probation of a defendant who was not being compliant with his probation conditions.
Leon Quarles pleaded guilty to assault with significant bodily injury and a bail violation on March 18, 2019. He was sentenced to 18 months and 90 days in jail. Nearly half of the sentence was suspended. The judge also order that Quarles complete 18 months of probation.
A Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) officer said Quarles violated his curfew numerous times and has not charged his GPS monitor since Aug. 5.
The officer also said the defendant failed to report to mental health services since June 26. According to the officer, the defendant made concerning comments about women to his staff.
Judge Robert Okun ordered the defendant to participate in a sex offender assessment. Judge Sean Staples previously requested this on June 18, but the defendant did not comply.
Quarles’ next hearing is scheduled for Sept. 3 to assess his compliance with the terms of his probation.
On Aug. 13, a domestic violence defendant took a plea deal from the prosecution.
Joey Grady pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of attempted assault with a dangerous weapon. In return, the prosecution agreed to dismiss his three pending cases. He was initially charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and unlawful possession of a firearm for pulling a gun on victims on May 7 on the 1600 block of Lincoln Road, NE.
As a part of a plea agreement with the prosecution, counsel agreed to recommend that Grady receive a shorter or probationary sentence.
Defense attorney Quo Judkins requested her client’s release, saying his most recent conviction was a traffic conviction from 2015, and the remainder of his convictions were even more dated and for nonviolent offenses.
Judge Juliet McKenna granted Judkins’ request, releasing Grady into the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) with GPS monitoring. She also ordered him to complete mental health and drug use assessments and stay away from the victim and her family.
At the defense’s request, Judge McKenna modified the stay away order to only include the victim. She then ordered the defendant not to Harass, Assault, Threaten, or Stalk (HATS) the victim’s children.
The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 16.
On Aug. 12, a DC Superior Court judge decided that a murder case has enough evidence to go to trial. The judge also released the defendant into the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP.)
Daniel Gayden is charged with second-degree murder. He is accused of stabbing 56-year-old Ronald Collins to death on June 1 on the 5100 block of A Street, SE.
Judge Neal Kravitz denied defense attorney Jacqueline Cadman’s motion to dismiss the case, but asked her to file a motion to sanction the prosecution.
According to court documents, Gayden, 54, got into an argument with the victim about a woman with whom the prosecution said they were both interested in pursuing romantically. Gayden was in a car with a woman outside of Collins’ house. After the woman went into the victim’s house for a short time, the victim walked out and began arguing with Gayden for “disrespect[ing] his woman.”
Witnesses said Collins said, “put the knife down and fight me like a man.” Collins briefly left, but allegedly returned with a cane, which he used to strike the defendant’s rear passenger window.
The cane got stuck in the vehicle, causing Collins to be dragged as Gayden drove away. The defendant allegedly exited the vehicle, kicked the victim twice and stabbed him.
Cadman introduced an audio recording of a 911 call where a witness said the victim was holding a knife. This is despite the prosecution’s statement during the initial hearing that the victim was “completely defenseless.”
Cadman said the prosecution did not provide her with the 911 call, even though it was filed as evidence on June 2. In a June 24 motion for evidence, she wrote that the prosecution had only provided her with the police report.
Through independent investigation, Cadman discovered the 911 call, of which the prosecution had not alerted her. Cadman said the prosecution also never corrected the police document with this information, as required.
“I find very disturbing the government’s behavior in this case,” said Judge Kravitz.
He said it is the prosecution’s responsibility to provide this evidence and update court documents.
“Any prosecutor handling murder cases- or misdemeanor cases for that matter- should know that,” said Judge Kravitz. “What I find most disturbing… is that so many of your legal arguments are premised on clear misstatements of the law.”
The prosecution showed a photo of Collins in the middle of a road, covered in blood next to the cane.
The prosecution also presented pictures of suspected blood on the defendant’s shoes, pants and a knife. Officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) recovered the knife from the defendant’s vehicle.
Cadman said the defendant was wearing different clothes than what a witness described.
She also said one witness described the murder weapon as having a hook, which Gayden’s knife did not have.
During cross-examination, Cadman asked the lead detective if the victim had a prior manslaughter charge and he said he did not know.
He also did not know whether the woman was located or if the blood on the knife was tested.
The prosecution said there was a prior altercation between Gayden, Collins and Collins’ family in July 2019. The defendant was charged with disorderly behavior for allegedly being loud outside of the families’ Maryland house. The prosecution said the defendant also made threats to kill the whole family.
Judge Kravitz said there was no factual basis to this argument since the defendant was not charged with threats. However, the prosecution said this is because five people must be present for police to charge threats in Maryland. The case was ultimately dropped because police officers did not appear in court.
The prosecution asked that the defendant be held due to the danger he presents to the community.
The prosecution said Gayden assaulted a woman multiple times, at points making her go to the hospital. In a police interview, the woman said if Gayden knew she was providing information, he would kill her.
The prosecution also said the witnesses are at risk now that the defendant is aware of some of their addresses.
However, Cadman requested her client’s release, pointing out that the defendant only has one prior conviction for a 2004 marijuana-related offense.
Judge Kravitz released the defendant under HISP, with stay away orders from the decedent’s family, a woman and 5100 block of A Street, SE.
“I won’t let you down,” the defendant said.
Gayden’s next hearing is scheduled for Oct. 14.
Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred on Aug. 12 in the Brightwood neighborhood of DC.
At around 12:46 p.m., officers responded to a residential building the 1300 block of Missouri Avenue, NW for the report of a stabbing. When they arrived, they found Sa’id Grey, a 40-year-old resident of Northwest, DC, suffering from stab wounds. He showed no signs consistent with life.
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Between 9 p.m. on Aug. 12 and 9 a.m. on Aug. 13, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out four crime alerts.
The most recent alert was sent at 5:15 a.m. for a robbery with a gun on the 3100 block of Mount Pleasant Street, NW. Police are looking for a Black male, 5’5″ in height, wearing a black jacket, blue jeans and a mask.
An alert for a stabbing was sent at 2:04 a.m. on the 800 block of Taylor Street, NE. Police do not have a description of the suspect.
Another alert for a stabbing was sent at 12:01 a.m. at the intersection of 5th Street, NW and K Street, NW. Police are looking for a Black male, 5’8″ in height, wearing a white tank top and black pants. He was last seen fleeing westbound on foot on the 500 block of K Street, NW.
The final alert was sent at 11:01 p.m. for a shooting on the unit block of M Street, SW. Police do not have a description of the suspect(s).
If anyone has information about these events, please call 911.
On Aug. 12, DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun released 26 defendants and held five defendants in DC Jail.
Rashad Johnson was charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly killing 27-year-old Senquea Whitley on July 13 on the 3900 Block of Clay Place, NE.
Johnson’s defense attorney, Rachel Cicurel, asked the judge not to find probable cause, citing that officers talked to nine witnesses, none of which identified Johnson or gave a description that matched Johnson’s features.
Judge Okun did find probable cause, however, citing that two officers identified the suspect as Johnson, one of whom says he sees Johnson on a regular basis.
Cicurel requested Johnson’s release into the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP), citing his full compliance with his probation and his asthma, which he is on medication for and the increased risk of complications if he were to contract COVID-19.
Judge Okun decided to hold Johnson, even though he said he was concerned about his asthma. He said given the nature of the offense and his two pending cases as well as the fact that he is on probation, he needed to hold him.
Johnson’s next hearing is scheduled for Sept. 9.
Carla Moment, charged with second-degree theft, attempted threats to do bodily harm and and a bail violation was held by Judge Okun because she has three pending cases, three prior bail violation convictions and has had bench warrants for her arrest since January.
The judge said he needed to hold her to assure her appearance in court.
Russchelle Roberts was also held. She was charged with simple assault and a bail violation.
She was also brought in on two bench warrants for failing to appear for two hearings.
Judge Okun held Roberts, citing she has been on bench warrant status since January and has a prior bail violation and prisoner escape conviction.
Judge Okun held Maurice Douglas, who was charged with attempt to commit robbery. The judge held Douglas, citing the dangerousness of the crime and the fact that he has two pending cases as well as a conviction for bank robbery.
One final defendant was held on charges of simple assault, attempted threats to do bodily harm and second-degree theft in a domestic violence case. The defendant was also charged with a bail violation in another case and had two bench warrants for failure to appear. Judge Okun held her, citing an additional open case and her three probation cases.
There were eight additional domestic violence cases, and all were released with either stay-away or no harassment, assaultive, threatening or stalking (HATS) orders.
Three defendants were charged with being fugitives from justice, and they were released with orders to turn themselves in to the demanding jurisdictions in which they are wanted.
Six defendants charged with misdemeanors were released by Judge Okun for charges involving assaulting a police officer, bail violation, second-degree theft, attempted threats to do bodily harm, sex abuse and simple assault.
Four felony defendants were released with various conditions, including orders not to possess firearms, HISP and GPS monitoring.
Two defendants were hospitalized, including one who has been in the hospital since July 20. Judge Okun moved their hearings to Aug. 13.
Of those released, three did not have charges filed against them by the prosecution and two were given citations and released.
On Aug. 12, a DC Superior Court judge gave parties more time to examine a sex abuse defendant’s treatment options.
The defendant is charged with first-degree child sex abuse for an alleged incident that occurred June 7 on the 1600 block of Morris Road, SE.
Judge Juliet McKenna continued the hearing to Sept. 18 in order to give parties more time to collect information to the court about placement into a treatment facility.
The hearing was also continued so the defendant could be evaluated to see if he could be put in a psychiatric residential facility through the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS.)
The defense is not currently requesting a preliminary hearing, which would determine if the case has enough evidence to go to trial.
The defendant is being held without bail. He is scheduled for another hearing on Sept. 18.
Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers are looking for suspects and vehicles connected with crimes throughout Washington, DC from July 1- Aug. 11.
Homicide
The MPD is still requesting the public’s help in locating 29-year-old Steven Martin Robinson for his involvement in 28-year-old Shanika Williams’ homicide. On July 12, officers responded to the 800 block of 19th Street, NE and found Williams suffering from a gunshot wound. She died at the scene.
Police are also seeking the public’s assistance in locating a suspect and vehicle in the shooting death of 34-year-old Dennis Dykes on the 4000 block of Grant Street, NE on July 1.
Burglary
The police are looking to identify a suspect who allegedly burglarized an establishment on the 5300 block of Wisconsin Avenue, Northwest on Aug. 11.
Police are looking for a suspect who is believed to have been involved in the burglary of a residence on the 1600 block of T Street, SE on Aug. 6. The suspect allegedly entered the unoccupied residence and took property.
Assault
A suspect in connection with an assault on the 1400 block of Cedar Street, SE on Aug. 4 is being sought. The suspect allegedly pointed a handgun at a victim that resulted in the victim suffering non-life threatening injuries.
Police are looking for a suspect who is believed to be responsible for a stabbing on Aug. 2 at the 1200 block of Mount Olivet Road, NE. The victim was treated at a hospital for non-life threatening injuries.
A vehicle and suspect are being sought in connection to an assault with a dangerous weapon (gun) offense on the 7200 block of Blair Road, NW on July 30. A suspect pulled a firearm to intimidate the victim.
On July 30, a male victim suffering from gunshot wounds approached MPD officers on the 3900 block of South Capitol Street, SE. He was treated at a hospital for non-life threatening injuries. Police are looking for the suspect in that case.
Police are also looking for suspects who allegedly assaulted victims with a gun on the 1500 block of 5th Street, NW on July 18. According to a press release, the suspects and victims were involved in a traffic dispute at the listed location. One of the suspects brandished a handgun and fired at the victims. The suspects then fled the scene. No injuries were reported.
Armed Robbery
Officers are seeking three suspects involved in an armed robbery on the 200 block of 37th Street, SE on Aug. 4. Two of the suspects fled the scene on foot while the other suspect fled with the victim’s motorcycle. The motorcycle is described as a black Honda CBR 600 RR.
A suspect demanded a victim’s items by gunpoint on the 1400 block of New York Avenue, NE on Aug. 1.
The MPD is searching for suspects involved in an armed robbery on the 700 block of 4th Street, NE on July 29. The suspects left with the victim’s property.
Carjacking
On Aug. 2, suspects demanded a victim to give up their car and assaulted them at the 2000 Block of Benning Road, NE. Suspects took the victim’s car.
Police request that anyone with information on these suspects or events contact the department at 202-727-9099. Tips can be sent to the department’s Text Tip Line — 50411.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Washington Field Division and the FBI Washington Field Office has partnered with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) to offer an additional award for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspects of a shooting that killed one person and injured many others.
The shooting took place Aug. 9 on the 3300 block of Dubois Place, SE. One of the victims, 17-year-old Christopher Brown, was killed. An MPD officer was taken to the hospital with life threatening injuries. According to a press release, twenty-two victims sustained gunshot wounds in total. Two others were injured while feeling the scene.
Both the ATF Washington Field Division and the FBI Washington Field Office have offered an additional $25,000, bringing the total reward amount to $75,000.
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On Aug. 12, a DC Superior Court judge held a defendant who violated the terms of his probation and picked up new charges.
The 40-year-old defendant was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and contempt on Dec. 4, 2019. He pleaded guilty to the charges on Dec. 18, 2019, and received a 28-month sentence for the assault charge, 24 months were suspended. He also received two months of incarceration for the contempt charge. Judge Michael O’Keefe set these sentences to run consecutively to each other He also sentenced the defendant to two years of probation.
A representative from the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) said the defendant never reported to the agency after being released.
In addition to not reporting to CSOSA, the defendant also picked up a domestic violence charge on July 23 for allegedly violating a Court Protective Order (CPO.)
Defense attorney Alvin Thomas said his client has made multiple attempts to call CSOSA, but no one from the agency ever got back to him. He also said his client is homeless and has been giving CSOSA a relative’s phone number to call.
The representative said the agency has tried to get back to him, but that he is never with the relative when they have attempted to call. Both CSOSA and the prosecution requested that the defendant’s probation is revoked.
Judge Juliet McKenna decided to hold the defendant pending the resolution of his new domestic violence case.
She said the hold was an alternative to revoking his probation, since she had no evidence to corroborate the defense’s explanation for his lack of reporting.
Judge McKenna placed a $2,500 cash bond on the defendant’s hold, and scheduled another hearing to evaluate his probation on Aug. 26.
On Aug. 12, two defendants pleaded guilty to robbery and attempted credit card fraud.
Kachae Jackson, 26, and Michael Grantham, 50, stole a victim’s credit cards and license on Oct. 21, 2019, on the 900 block of H Street, NW. The two then tried to use the victim’s credit card at a designer store on the 900 block of Palmer Alley, NW.
As part of a plea agreement with the prosecution, both defendants pleaded guilty to lesser charges of second-degree theft and attempted credit card fraud. In return, the prosecution agreed not to file additional charges related to the incident.
The prosecution also agreed to recommend a 180-day sentence.
DC Superior Court Judge Juliet McKenna scheduled Jackson’s sentencing for Feb. 5, 2021, because she lives out of town.
Judge McKenna sentenced Grantham to 180 days of incarceration for both charges with credit for time served.
