A DC Superior Court judge denied a defendant’s request to be released from DC Jail.
Richard Little is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device.
Judge Ronna Beck agreed with the prosecution’s opposition to Little’s release, finding him too dangerous for release.
Little was arrested on April 20 after allegedly fleeing from Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers, according to court documents. Once the officers detained him on the 3300 block of Alden Place, NE, they found Little’s jacket wrapped around a pistol and ammunition in his bag.
Little’s next court appearance his scheduled for Sept. 8.
On July 20, a defendant pleaded guilty to sexual solicitation.
Russell Williams is charged with sexual solicitation, fleeing from a law enforcement officer, assault with a dangerous weapon, destruction of property, unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction, carrying a pistol without a license outside of the home and business, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, possession of an unregistered firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, resisting arrest, reckless driving and not having a valid permit.
As part of his plea deal with the prosecution, all charges besides sexual solicitation were dropped. The agreement also stated that the prosecution would recommend a sentence that is on the shorter side of the guidelines for the charge.
Williams has been held in DC Jail Since Feb. 28 without bail. Judge Judith Smith scheduled his sentencing for Oct. 8.
Williams was arrested in the 1700 block of Minnesota Ave, SE after soliciting an undercover Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer posing as a prostitute, according to court documents. Officers then implemented a traffic stop for Williams’ vehicle. He attempted to flee the police, narrowly missed hitting one of the officers. During his arrest, police found a handgun and cocaine under the defendant’ seat.
Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) are investigating a traffic fatality that occurred on July 18 on the unit block of 51 Street, SE.
According to a press release, the crash occurred around 10:30 p.m. when a motorcycle driver appeared to lose control of his bike which resulted in a crash.
The driver has been identified as Darnell Lee Estep of Temple Hills, Md.
MPD is asking for anyone who has knowledge of the incident to alert the police.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) made arrests for two robberies.
On July 11, a suspect was arrested for a robbery that occurred that morning on the 3100 block of 14th Street, NW, which is located in the Columbia Heights neighborhood of DC. The suspect forcibly took money from a victim and was apprehended by responding officers.
On July 13, police arrested a suspect for robbery. A day before, the suspect allegedly entered a business establishment and demanded cash. The incident occurred on the 300 block of Hawaii Avenue, NE, which is located in the University Heights neighborhood of DC.
A DC Superior Court judge found a defendant incompetent to stand trial, releasing him to receive outpatient mental health services.
David Dowdell, 64, was charged with simple assault on April 6, but was released with a citation. He was also charged with threats to do bodily harm and assault on a police officer on July 10, at which time he was held in DC Jail.
After the defendant received a forensic psychology examination, DC Jail recommended that Dowdell be transferred to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s psychiatric institution, for competency restoration efforts.
The prosecution and the defense objected to the jail’s request, but agreed with the finding that the defendant was not competent.
Counsel said they believe outpatient mental health services would be the best option. Defense attorney Gregg Baron also pointed out that his client’s age made him more vulnerable to COVID-19, in which the spread of the virus at the DC Jail has concerned many.
A representative from DC Jail said the defendant has refused to take his medication. But, Dowdell said he only refused his medication because it had given his mother gallbladder disease.
After Dowdell told Judge Jonathan Pittman he would comply with release conditions, Judge Pittman decided to release him on his promise to return to court for his next hearing. Dowdell’s next hearing is scheduled for Sept. 16.
Judge Pittman also ordered Dowdell to check in with the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) once a week, and admonished him to connect with outpatient mental health services.
Judge Pittman said he released Dowdell because his cases are not likely to go to trial soon due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A defendant pleaded guilty to attempt to carry a pistol without a license outside a home or business and was sentenced to probation.
Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers arrested Michael Huskins on March 12 after finding a gun in his possession on the 200 block of Newcomb Street, SE.
DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson sentenced Huskins on July 20 to 90 days in jail, which was suspended. She also gave him nine months of unsupervised probation and ordered him to pay $50 to the Victims of Violent Crime Compensation Act fund.
“I am responsible for my actions,” Huskins told Judge Dayson. He said he is getting help with his alcohol issues, which he called a “common denominator” of many of the challenges he faces in his life.
The Metropolitan Police Department sent out five crime alerts since midnight.
The most recent alert was sent at 6 a.m. for a shooting on the 1200 block of North Capitol Street, NW. Police do not have a description of the suspect(s) available at this time.
At 4:36 a.m. an alert for a robbery on the 2700 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE was sent. Police are looking for a black female who is in her 20s, 5’7″ with medium complexion, short hair, black shorts, and a red shirt, She was last seen headed eastbound on Pennsylvania Ave., SE.
An alert for a robbery by force was sent at 2:35 a.m. The incident occurred at the intersection of 11th Street and O Street, NW. Police are looking for four males wearing black shirts with blue jeans.
At 2 a.m. an alert of another robbery was sent out. The incident occurred on the 1000 block of 31st Street, NW. Police are looking for 8-10 young males in an older model white sedan and a new model black SUV.
At 12:19 a.m., an alert of a shooting on the 3400 block of Stanton Road, SE was sent out. Police to not have a description of the suspect(s) at this time.
Anyone with information on these crimes should call 911. Please do not take any other action.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is looking for the perpetrator of a July 19 homicide.
At around 4:53 p.m., MPD officers responded to a reported shooting on the 3600 block of 14th Street, NW, which is located in the Columbia Heights neighborhood of DC. Upon arrival, officers discovered eight adult males and one female suffering from gunshot wounds.
Emergency personnel transported all of the victims to a local hospital for treatment. After all life-saving efforts failed, Devin Peterson, a 28-year-old resident of Northeast DC, was pronounced dead.
The MPD is offering a reward of $25,000 to anyone who can provide information that leads to the arrest of the person or persons responsible.
D.C. Witness data shows there have been 108 homicides in 2020 thus far, including two vehicular homicides. D.C. Witness collects homicide data on all homicides in the District including vehicular homicides and police-involved shootings. The MPD has recorded 106 homicides to date.
On July 16, a DC Superior Court judge allowed a defendant who is awaiting sentencing to remain released.
Rodney Hart Jr. pleaded guilty to attempted second-degree burglary in February for trying to remove a flat screen television from a building on the 2100 block of L Street, NW on Nov. 7. 2019.
The prosecution said Hart should be held in jail until he receives his sentence since he has had issues complying with release conditions, including violating a stay away order.
Defense attorney Todd Baldwin reiterated the argument he made in a hearing on July 14 that his client’s stay away order, which covers the entire District of Columbia, was too broad. He also said Hart is seeking mental health treatment.
However, the prosecution said Hart had no reason to be in the District of Columbia because he has not been working at his electrician apprenticeship in Navy Yard since March 20 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The prosecution also said that Hart’s grandfather said he does not want the defendant exposing himself to people who could potentially carry the virus.
Each judge is scheduled to hear all of the presentment hearings for an entire week, and D.C. Witness tracks the rates at which each judge releases and holds defendants when they preside over initial hearings.
Judge Staples presided over hearing during the week of June 14. He heard a total of 89 cases throughout the week, releasing 70 and holding 19 in DC Jail.
Judge Herrmann presided over two weeks: the weeks of June 21 and July 12. She heard the most cases, releasing 163 and holding 44 in DC Jail.
Judge Staples and Judge Herrmann released and held defendants at the same rate with a hold rate of 21.3 percent and a release rate of 78.7 percent. Their hold rate was much higher than Judges McKenna and Crowell.
Judge McKenna heard 81 cases over the week of June 28. She decided to release 71 defendants while holding 10 in DC Jail. She held the second lowest percentage of defendants, only holding 12.3 percent of all cases.
Judge Crowell presided over the week of July 5 and held the lowest percentage of defendants. He heard a total of 109 cases, releasing 96 defendants and holding 13.. He only held 11.9 percent of the cases he heard.
D.C. Witness follows the initial hearings every day in the DC Superior Court System, tracking which defendants are held, released, the nature of their charges, pretrial release conditions and whether or not COVID-19 plays a factor in whether the judge decides to release them or hold them in DC Jail.
A defendant was found to be in compliance with the conditions of his pretrial release after his court-ordered GPS monitor was not installed on time.
D’Angelo Coleman is awaiting trial for his charges of first-degree child sex abuse and simple assault.
Defense attorney Madalyn Harvey told DC Superior Court Judge Gerald Fisher that her client had his GPS device installed on July 15, a few days after it was supposed to be done. She said the delay was a result of him being stranded out of town earlier that week.
Coleman did not show up to the July 17 court hearing; however, Judge Fisher discovered that he had not been informed of the hearing.
Coleman’s next court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 20.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is looking for the perpetrator of a July 17 homicide.
At around 12:59 a.m., MPD officers responded to assist Takoma Park Police with a traffic accident on the 100 block of Walnut Street, NW. Upon arrival, officers discovered two adult males, in a vehicle, suffering from gunshot wounds.
Emergency personnel transported both victims to a local hospital for treatment. Anthony Riley, a 20-year-old resident of Northeast DC, succumbed to his injuries. The other victim was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
The MPD is offering a reward of $25,000 to anyone who can provide information that leads to the arrest of the person or persons responsible. Anyone with information should contact the police at 2020-727-9099. Anonymous information can also be sent to the department’s Text Tip Line — 50411.
On July 17, a defendant entered into a Deferred Sentencing Agreement (DSA) with the prosecution.
Shaun Jackson pleaded guilty to carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business.
As part of his DSA, he must complete community service requirements. If he does so by this time next year, his guilty plea will be withdrawn and his case dismissed.
After being stopped for speeding while going west on I-395 on March 15, Jackson, a Georgia resident, told Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers he had two firearms in his car and gave the officer his Georgia concealed carry license. That license, however, did not allow him to carry a firearm in Washington, DC.
