Judge Holds Domestic Violence Defendant

On Sept. 8, a DC Superior Court judge held a domestic violence defendant pending his next court date.

The defendant is charged with violating a Temporary Protective Order (TPO) in three domestic violences related cases. He has been held at DC Jail since he picked up the case on Aug. 22.

Defense attorney Darryl Daniels asked for his client to be released with a no Harassing Assaulting Threatening or Stalking (HATS) order. Daniels asked that the defendant be put on home confinement in his father’s home if the no HATS order was not enough to ensure the victim’s safety.

But, the prosecution objected to the request, arguing that the defendant could not be released because the victim had not been notified of a possible release hearing.

The prosecution also offered a plea deal, which the defendant rejected.

Judge Maribeth Raffinan told the defense that the defendant could make another request for release at his next hearing. She said she wanted to deal with the rejected plea offer in the Sept. 8 hearing.

Judge Raffinan also denied the defense’s motion to dismiss the case.

The defendant’s next hearing, a detention hearing, is scheduled for Sept. 17.

Judge Sentences Defendant in 2019 Drug Case

On Sept. 8, a DC Superior Court judge sentenced a defendant in a drug case involving cocaine.

Evan Green, 27, pleaded guilty to attempted distribution of a controlled substance. He picked up the case in the aftermath of a buy-bust operation that officers from the Metropolitan Police Department conducted on Oct. 12, 2019, on the 1500 block of C Street, NE.

As part of a plea deal, Green’s charged were downgraded from distribution to attempted distribution. The prosecution also agreed to dismiss Green’s other case, in which he was charged with felony contempt.

Judge Michael O’Keefe sentenced Green to 12 months, all of which were suspended, plus 18 months of supervised probation.

The conditions of the defendant’s probation include completing drug and alcohol treatment programs, entering a faith based mentoring program, individual counseling as well as grief counseling as deemed appropriate by the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) and maintaining or seeking employment.

Green must also pay $100 to the Crime Victims Compensation Program.

Green’s defense attorney, Carrie Weletz, said her client accepted responsibility for his actions early on and was forthcoming with his involvement in the crime. She also said Green’s only other prior conviction was for a similar, non-violent offense — attempted distribution of a controlled substance.

If Green violates the conditions of his probation, Judge O’Keefe said he could be stepped back to GPS monitoring.

Judge Sentences Domestic Violence Defendant

On Sept. 8, a DC Superior Court judge sentenced a defendant for violating a Court Protection Order (CPO.)

The defendant decided to accept a plea deal to reduce his time in the case.

Judge Maribeth Raffinan sentenced Kelsey to 90 days, 60 of which were suspended, plus one year of probation. He will receive credit for time served.

The terms of his probation include taking drug and alcohol tests, complying with a no Harassment Assault Threatening Staking (HATS) order and receiving a mental health screening and evaluation.

The defendant must also pay $50 to the Victims of Violent Crime Act fund.

Document: Suspect Arrested in Connection with Sex Abuse Offense

A suspect has been arrested in connection with a second-degree child sex abuse offense that occurred on Sept. 3.

Between around 12:00 p.m. and 12:30 p.m., a suspect approached a female victim on the 5000 block of MacArthur Boulevard, NW. The suspect then engaged in unwanted sexual contact with the victim, and then fled the scene in a vehicle.

Members of the Prince William County Police Department arrested a 44-year-old resident of Manassas, Va. He will go through the extradition process, where he will be transported from Virginia to the Metropolitan Police Department’s Youth and Family Services Division, Physical and Sexual Abuse Branch. There, he will be charged with second-degree child sex abuse.

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Document: Police Arrest Suspects for Assault with Knife

On Sept. 4, officers from the Metropolitan Police Department arrested two suspects for an assault with a knife in July.

According to a press release, the suspects approached victims on the unit block of N Street, SE, brandished a knife and assaulted them.

The suspects were arrested on Sept. 4 and are awaiting their first appearance for the crime at the DC Superior Court.

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Document: Juvenile Arrested for Multiple Offenses

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrested a 16-year-old resident of Northeast, DC for armed carjacking, assault with a dangerous weapon, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and receiving stolen property.

On Sept. 3 at around 12:45 p.m., a suspect was in the passenger seat of the victim’s vehicle. The vehicle stopped on the 1000 block of 7^th Street, NE. A suspect brandished a knife and demanded the victim’s property. The suspect took property from the victim and then left in the victim’s vehicle.

On Sept. 4 at around 3:13 a.m., two suspects entered an establishment in the 3300 block of Benning Road, NE. One suspect took brandished a handgun at the employee and tried to open the security door. The suspects failed to open the door. They fled the scene. This case remains under investigation.

That same day at around 4:20 p.m., officers were on the 1100 block of 19^th Street, NE. They saw a suspect enter a vehicle that was taken on the 1000 block of 7^th Street, NE. The officers apprehended the suspect.

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Document: Police Arrest Suspect for Burglary In Northwest

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced that an arrest has been made in relation to a second-degree burglary that occurred on Sept. 7 on the 400 block of P Street, NW.

At around 2:09 a.m., the suspect broke into an establishment and damaged property once inside.

The suspect, a 23-year-old male, was apprehended by officers and charged with second-degree burglary.

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Document: Police Seek Suspect for Burglary In H Street Corridor

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking a suspect in reference to a second-degree burglary that occurred on the 400 block of H Street, NE on Sept. 3.

At around 3:40 a.m., the suspect broke into an establishment and took property before fleeing the scene.

The suspect can be seen in the photos below. If anyone can identify the individual or has information about the event, police ask you to call (202) 727-9099 or text the anonymous tip line at 50411.

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Document: Police Still Search for Suspect in Armed Assault

The Metropolitan Police Department released an updated image of a suspect they are looking for who is connected to an armed assault.

According to a press release, the suspect brandished a handgun towards a victim on Aug. 20 on the 200 Block of I Street, NE. The suspect fled the scene on a scooter. No injuries were reported.

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Document: Police Seek Burglary Suspect

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are seeking a suspect in connection with a second-degree burglary that happened on Sept. 2.

At around 7:27 p.m., a suspect forcibly entered an establishment on the 1000 block of Massachusetts Avenue, NW. Once inside, the suspect damaged and stole property and then fled the scene.

A suspect was captured by a surveillance camera.

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Documents: Suspects Sought for Second-Degree Burglary

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are seeking suspects in connection with a second-degree burglary that happened on Aug. 21.

At around 5:00 p.m., suspects forcibly entered an establishment on the 800 block of Upshur Street, NW. Once inside, they took property and fled the scenes.

Suspects were captured by a surveillance camera.

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Judge Holds 10 Defendants, Releases 17 During Initial Hearings

On Sept. 5, DC Superior Court Judge James Crowell held 10 defendants and released 17.

Babtunde Adekson is held on a charge of destruction of property less than $1,000 for allegedly throwing a rock at a shop window and cracking it. He committed the offense while on release for a case in which he is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon. Adekson was unable to control his language or behavior during the hearing despite several court orders.

Judge Crowell decided to hold him, saying, ““He is wholly noncompliant with any instructions of the court, and noncompliant with the conditions of his release.”

Craig Monroe is held on a charge of fugitive from justice for a hit-and-run case in Virginia. The demanding jurisdiction has six business days to retrieve him, or a hearing in DC will be scheduled.

A domestic violence defendant is held on charges of assault with a dangerous weapon, simple assault, attempted possession of a prohibited weapon, and contempt for violating his release conditions. The defendant allegedly stabbed a victim in the neck, and has a series of domestic violence charges involving the same victim. Judge Crowell said he held the defendant “to protect the victim’s life.”

Edward Dickens is held on a charge of attempted second-degree theft for trying to steal a person’s cell phone after he had been released on another charge two days prior. The judge noted Dickens’s repeated criminal history.

“I released him two days ago, and he violated the conditions I set within a couple days,“ Judge Crowell said. “He was already on release for another case back then.”

Muhammed Abubakor is held on a charge of attempted receiving of stolen property for attempting to rob a store. Judge Crowell noted Abubakor’s repeated criminal activity in his decision to hold him.

Two defendants, Amina Washington and Joseph Stroy, are charged with federal crimes. They are held pending transfer to federal court.

Three defendants were released in their new cases but are being held on parole violations.

Three felony defendants were released by Judge Crowell. Two were released with an order to not possess a firearm or ammunition, and the third one was given a stay away order.

Seven domestic violence defendants were released with stay away orders. Two were also given orders to not harass, assault, threaten, or stalk (HATS) their alleged victims.

Judge Crowell released two fugitive defendants, ordering them to return to turn themselves into their demanding jurisdictions so they can resolve the matters.

Four misdemeanor defendants were released due to the nonviolent nature of their offenses.

One defendant is charged with driving with no permit. He was released with an order to not drive unless he acquires a valid permit.

Judge Issues 2 Bench Warrants During Probation and Pretrial Hearings

On Sep 4, a DC Superior Court judge issued bench warrants and continued court proceedings for pretrial and probation show cause hearings.

Judge Gerald Fisher continued a murder defendant’s pretrial show cause hearing. Tristian Cole, 29, is charged with second-degree murder while armed in the death of Joel Midgett, who was stabbed in the chest on the 200 block of K Street, NW on Oct. 16, 2015.

Cole was arrested in November of 2019 and released under the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) on Feb 10. A Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) officer said that Cole did not contact PSA about her GPS as instructed.

Judge Fisher ordered the defendant to report to PSA after the hearing concluded.

Judge Fisher also issued bench warrants for two defendants, Robert Taylor and Carroll Strickland, who did not show up to their show cause hearings.

Taylor was sentenced to two years of probation for third-degree sex abuse in March of 2019. He has reportedly not been in contact with a Court Services Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) officer or his defense attorney, Leo Alley. The defense reminded Judge Fisher that his client is homeless, making contact difficult.

Strickland also failed to appear in court for his pretrial show cause hearing. She is charged with unlawful entry onto private property.

Delonte Reed told a CSOSA officer he would be present for his 10 a.m. hearing, but did not appear. Reed showed up to the courthouse at 2:37 p.m.

Judge Fisher ordered Reed detained and that he be stepped back pending a final probation revocation hearing.

Vincent Gibson also failed to appear for his probation show cause hearing, but Judge Fisher decided to continue the hearing in case Gibson had not received adequate notification about it. Gibson is charged with assault and attempted threats to do bodily harm.

Judge Fisher found probable cause that Alan Jackson, 35, violated his probation.

Jackson is charged with assault, unlawful entry of a motor vehicle and attempted second degree theft.

A CSOSA officer requested that his probation be revoked because of his positive PCP test and two re-arrests.

Defense attorney Edward Joseph said the defendant had completed a drug program and is continuing outpatient treatment.

Judge Fisher gave Jackson a chance to prove he is back in compliance and ordered him to remain under GPS monitoring and comply with an 11 p.m. curfew. Jackson’s probation revocation hearing is scheduled for April 8, 2021.

Cooper Gray, 23, is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm.

The PSA requested revocation of the defendant’s release, but defense attorney Lee Smith said Gray was not aware of his release requirements and will fully comply moving forward.

Judge Fisher denied the revocation request and arranged for GPS installation on Gray before he left the court.

Monique Richards-Townsend, 35, was also brought to court for a pretrial show cause hearing . However, defense attorney Joseph Molina and the PSA brought reports showing compliance with release conditions.

Judge Fisher discharged the show cause and ordered her to get a mental health assessment.

Richards-Townsend is charged with two counts of assault and attempted threats to do bodily harm.

Ricky Dyson appeared before the court for a probation show cause hearing. All presiding parties agreed to continue the case to allow the Dyson time to display compliance with his probation

Dyson is charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance while armed, possession of firearm during crime of violence, carrying pistol without license, unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of unregistered firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, unlawful possession of liquid PCP and possession of a controlled substance.

Robert Wilson’s case was continued to Sept. 23. He is charged with second-degree theft and bail violation.

Judge Accepts Plea Deal, Sentences Defendant

A defendant who faced charges in 10 of his 11 open cases in DC Superior Court, pleaded guilty in three of his cases, but was sentenced for four.

In one of Marquette Tibbs‘ cases. he was found guilty by a jury on Feb. 5 for unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction for his role in the murder of Orlando Silver on the 1300 block of Howard Rd., SE in 2016.

Judge Todd Edelman sentenced Tibbs, 28,to three years in prison plus three years of supervised release for the charge.

Tibbs was also sentenced for charges in three other cases in which he pleaded guilty to on Sept. 4, including armed robbery, simple assault and assault with significant bodily injury. As part of his plea agreement with the prosecution, charges in seven other cases were dismissed.

Defense attorneys Prescott Loveland and Jessica Willis asked Judge Edelman to consider the trauma their client underwent while in solitary confinement for a prior offense. Willis said that Tibbs’ trauma does not excuse his actions, but mitigates them.

Judge Edelman sentenced Tibbs to a total of 11 years in prison

He was sentenced to 3 years of incarceration and 3 years of supervised release for the unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction charge.

Tibbs was sentenced to 18 months of incarceration and three years of supervised probation for the charge of assault with significant bodily injury.

For the simple assault charge, Tibbs was sentenced to 180 days of incarceration.

Tibbs was also sentenced to six years of imprisonment and supervised release for 5 years for the armed robbery charge.

The sentences will run consecutively.

He must also pay a total of $350 to the Victims of Violent Crime fund.

Judge Edelman said he wishes Tibbs well and hopes he takes advantage of available resources while incarcerated to help him turn his life around.

Judge Finds Probable Cause For Assault on Police Officer Case

A DC Superior Court judge ruled that an assault on a police officer case has enough evidence to go to trial, but released the defendant into home confinement.

According to court documents, Jamar Byrd violated a stay away order and was causing a disturbance on July 4. The incident occurred on the 900 block of 16 Street, NW. Byrd, 26, allegedly resisted arrest and Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers had to carry him to the patrol vehicle. While being carried, he allegedly bit one of the officers on his thigh.

The prosecution presented a picture of the mark on the officer’s thigh. That officer testified at the Sept. 4 preliminary hearing.

“It was a pretty hard bite, I still have a mark,” he said. “It required medical attention.”

The officer said he received ointment, bandages and a shot for the wound.

“According to the complaint, Mr. Byrd is charged with a felony assault with significant bodily harm,” said defense attorney Linda Houston. “We would submit that biting [the officer] would be an assault but we would argue against the significant bodily harm. It did not require hospitalization, he went to the ER, he received medication and a shot.”

However, Judge Judith Smith did find probable cause.

“The photo reflects that the skin has broken, has a red area, a bruise, and bite mark,” she said. “The Government met its burden of probable cause.”

The prosecution asked Judge Smith to hold Byrd because of his separate charges in different cases while on release.

Houston assured Judge Smith that there could be restrictions put in place for a proper release.

“I’ve spoken to his family and he could live with his girlfriend if released,” she said. “Even if the court would order house arrest with the full understanding that if he would violate that, he could be put in jail until a trial date.”

Judge Smith decided to release Byrd into the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP.) He will be under 24-hour home confinement and must report to Pretrial Services Agency (PSA.)

Judge Smith scheduled Byrd’s next hearing for Feb. 16, 2021.