Document: Police Arrest Suspect in Connection to Assault with a Dangerous Weapon

On July 27, a 16-year-old juvenile male was arrested by Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers for an assault with a dangerous weapon offense that occurred on Jan. 20.

At 12:56 a.m., the suspect allegedly approached the victims on the 1900 block of Lawrence Street, NE. The suspect demanded the victims’ property and fired the gun when one of the victims fled the scene. No one was injured.

The suspect is awaiting his initial hearing in DC Superior Court.

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Document: Police Arrest Suspect for Burglary Offense

On July 26, officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrested a suspect in connection to a burglary that occurred earlier that day.

The suspect allegedly broke into a building on the 300 block of 53rd Street, SE. He took property and fled the scene. The suspect was apprehended by responding officers.

The suspect is awaiting his initial hearing in DC Superior Court.

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Judge Suspends Defendant’s Sentence Except for Probation

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a defendant to 120 days, which are all suspended, plus one year of supervised probation.

Lawrence Nailing pleased guilty to possession of a controlled substance. He was originally charged with possession with the intent to distribute a controlled substance after Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers found him with amphetamines on May 25 on the 1900 block of 16 Street, SE, according to court documents. Police say the drugs were found in a plastic bag containing small green zips.

The documents also state that Nailing had more than $400 in cash when arrested.

As part of a plea deal with the prosecution, the defendant’s felony charge was downgraded to a misdemeanor.

During the July 27 sentencing, Judge Judith Smith said her decision to place Nailing on one year of supervised probation was a product of complications from the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the pandemic, she said, drug treatment programs are not currently operating. She put a year-long probation in place so Nailing could hopefully benefit from those drug treatment programs.

Linden Fry, Nailing’s attorney, said his client would “embrace” drug treatment if ordered by the court.

“I apologize for any inconvenience I have caused,” Nailing said before receiving his sentence. “I just want to put this behind me and get it over with.”

Judge Issues Bench Warrant for Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge issued a bench warrant for the arrest of a defendant who did not show up to his pretrial show cause hearing on July 27.

Michael Dudley is charged with simple assault and destruction of property less than $1,000 for allegedly throwing a six-pack of soda onto the ground and attacking a customer at a liquor store on the 4400 block of Southern Ave, SE on Feb. 27.

The hearing was scheduled to address Dudley’s issues complying with the terms of his pretrial release. He received four notices of noncompliance since being released on May 21.

Judge Julie Becker decided to issue the warrant because of how many times Dudley failed to comply with his release conditions and his failure to appear in court.

Judge Sentences Defendant to More Than 4 Years Behind Bars

On July 27, a DC Superior Court judge sentenced a defendant to four and a half years of incarceration plus three years of probation.

Earl Evans Britt Jr., 56, pleaded guilty to second-degree burglary and destruction of property less than $1,000. According to court documents, Britt broke into a restaurant on the 5500 block of Colorado Avenue, NW by throwing a rock through the window and stole money and liquor on May 4.

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers later discovered that Britt committed three other break-ins and thefts of various establishments in DC. Two of the other break-ins occurred on April 30, 2020, and one on Dec. 16, 2019.

As part of a plea deal, the prosecution agreed to dismiss Britt’s other cases in their entirety and not seek indictment on further charges from the incidents.

Britt received a 30-day sentence for each of his four destruction of property charges, along with a four year sentence for the second-degree burglary. The sentences will run consecutively, but he will receive credit for time served.

The prosecution also read a statement from one of the owners of the establishments, who said he hopes the court accepts the sentence in the plea agreement.

The prosecution noted Britt’s positive drug test for cocaine on the date of his arrest, along with his extensive criminal history.

“I do have an addiction problem,” Britt said. “And that is what led me to commit the crimes that I did.”

Lucas Dansie, Britt’s attorney, said Britt wanted the court to know that he will take advantage of all of the services offered to him. Dansie also said that Britt was grateful that no one else was around to be injured or frightened by him.

Judge Danya Dayson said the plea agreement was appropriate given Britt’s criminal history and the fact that he was on supervised release at the time of his last arrest.

Defendant Enters into Agreement

On July 27, a defendant charged with unlawful entry onto public property entered into an agreement with the prosecution.

Caleb Welsh picked up the charge after Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers saw him jump over a temporary security barrier on the 500 block of 17th Street, NW and enter the First Division Park, a veterans memorial, on May 25.

Welsh, 36, will have his charge dismissed without prejudice if he abides by the conditions of the agreement, which includes staying away from the White House complex and not committing any more crimes.

If Welsh violates the conditions of his agreement, the prosecution would have cause to proceed with the charge. The prosecution has sole discretion to decide whether or not the defendant’s conduct falls within the bounds of the agreement.

Because of the uncertainty regarding court dates due to the COVID-19 pandemic, parties did not set an exact date for the next hearing, but indicated that it would be in around six months.

Police Search for Suspects

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is looking for suspects and vehicles connected with crimes throughout Washington, DC from March-July.

Homicide

Police are seeking the public’s assistance in locating a Honda Civic in the shooting death of 28-year-old Devin Peterson on the 3600 block of 14th Street, NW on July 19. The vehicle of interest is described to have a window tint and rear paper tag.

Officer’s are seeking a suspect in the shooting death of 45-year-old Jose Yaxon Cuc on the 4900 block of North Capitol Street, NE on July 10. There is a $25,000 reward being offered from the MPD in exchange for information that will lead investigators to arresting and convicting the person(s) responsible for the offense.

Police are also searching for a suspect wanted for the homicide of 41-year-old Alkhenala Al-Fatah on the 1200 block of Barnaby Terrace, SE on March 9.

Assault

Police are looking for a suspect in connection to an assault on a police officer on the 300 Block of 37th Street, SE on July 20. The suspect threw a rock at a police car and at an officer.

On July 1, a suspect and victim had a verbal argument that resulted in the suspect stabbing the victim with a knife at the 400 block of 2nd Street, NW.

Burglary

A suspect in connection with a burglary on the 1400 block of Wisconsin Avenue, NW on July 19 is being sought. The suspect allegedly entered a business and stole property.

The police are also looking for suspects involved in an armed robbery on the 400 block of H Street, NE on June 27.

https://youtu.be/bk98r2KkDT8

Unarmed Carjacking

On July 19, a suspect demanded a victim’s keys at the 1100 block of Whaler Place, SE. The suspect assaulted the victim and then left in the victim’s car.

Burglary One and Misdemeanor Sexual Abuse

A suspect forced entry into a hotel room where they came in sexual contact with a victim on the 1200 Block of 22^ndStreet, NW on July 21.

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.

Judge Releases Mentally Incompetent Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge released a defendant after finding him incompetent to stand trial.

Jaquan Woodberry is charged with carrying a pistol without a license with a prior felony and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction after Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers found a firearm in his waistband on Oct. 21, 2019, on the 2200 block of Sherman Ave, NW. At the time, the defendant was on probation for carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business.

During the July 27 hearing, Judge Michael Ryan ordered the defendant to make himself available for interviews so the prosecution could decide whether or not to file a petition for civil commitment.

He was found incompetent, with no substantial probability of regaining competency, due to cognitive limitations.

Woodberry has been held at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s psychiatric institution, since Jan. 27.

“I don’t see what continued hospitalization does for Mr. Woodberry except essentially warehousing him,” said defense attorney Rebecca Bloch.

The prosecution opposed release, citing Woodberry’s lack of compliance with probation.

While on probation, the defendant received 15 violations of drug testing over the course of three months. The prosecutor said this especially concerning since Woodberry was under the influence of marijuana at the time of his offense.

The prosecution also said the defendant had issues with tampering with his GPS tracking device, and was a loss of contact with the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team, a community-based service that provides mental health treatment.

He was noncompliant with medication and had behavioral issues at St. Elizabeth’s.

Bloch said Woodberry’s behavioral outbursts were the result of his frustrations with his hearings continuously being pushed back because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

His hearing was initially supposed to be held on March 31.

Woodberry’s next hearing is scheduled for Aug. 21 to give the prosecution time to decide if commitment papers will be filed.

Defendant Pleads Guilty

On July 27, a defendant pleaded guilty to attempted assault with a dangerous weapon and carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business.

On Sept. 15, 2019, Stephen Harper, 20, fired multiple shots at two men who got into a physical altercation with his acquaintance on the 3900 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Street, SW earlier that day, according to a proffer of facts by the prosecution. Harper did not injure either of the men, but he did accidentally shoot a 54-year-old bystander in the foot. The defendant was charged on Dec. 10, 2019.

Harper was briefly released to a halfway house on Dec. 17, 2019. However, he was returned to DC Jail on Feb. 26 for misconduct. He also repeatedly violated pretrial release conditions.

According to the plea agreement, the prosecution agreed not to seek indictments on further charges that could have stemmed from the incident. The agreement also requests that the judge impose supervised probation for less than three years.

Judge Danya Dayson accepted Harper’s guilty plea.

Derrick Page, Harper’s attorney, requested for his client’s release from DC Jail pending sentencing after the agreement was accepted.

Judge Dayson denied the request, saying that the nature of the offense is quite serious and Harper was firing his weapon indiscriminately.

Harper is scheduled to appear in court again on Sept. 14 for sentencing.

Defendant Fails to Appear for Hearing

A defendant failed to appear to his hearing on July 27.

Tyree Stanley is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm. He picked up the charge after Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers pulled him over on June 3 on suspicion he was driving a stolen vehicle. When officers searched the vehicle, they retrieved the firearm.

DC Superior Court Judge Julie Becker denied the prosecution’s request for a bench warrant. Instead, she continued the case to July 31 to give the defendant another chance to appear.

Defendant Pleads Guilty to 3 Charges

On July 27, a defendant pleaded guilty to cruelty to animals, violation of bail, and contempt in exchange for his domestic violence charges of simple assault and unlawful entry onto private property being dropped.

The defendant agreed that, on Nov. 27, 2017, he killed his acquaintance’s cat in front of said acquaintance and his daughter.

According to the District’s sentencing guidelines, the cruelty to animals charge can hold a penalty of up to five years with a maximum of three years in prison.

DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun decided to hold the defendant in the DC Jail until his sentencing, which is scheduled for Sept. 25, citing the defendant’s past inability to show up to previous court hearings.

After being indicted by a grand jury, the defendant did not return for three scheduled court dates in July and August of 2018. The defendant also failed to complete a mental health assessment that was a condition of his pretrial release.

Judge Issues Bench Warrant After Loss of Contact

A DC Superior Court judge issued a bench warrant for the arrest of a defendant who has become a loss of contact while awaiting his sentencing.

Bernard Eddy pleaded guilty to carrying a pistol without a license on March 13. As part of his plea agreement with the prosecution, his other charges of possession of an unregistered firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition and possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device were dropped.

Eddy’s attorney, Christopher Gowen, had no objections to the bench warrant. However, he asked Judge Judith Smith to preserve his client’s eligibility to be sentenced under the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA) if there turns out to be a “reasonable justification” for his lack of contact.

A representative with the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) told the judge, during the July 27 hearing, that the defendant has not been in contact with them since May 20.

According to court documents, CSOSA made several attempts to contact Eddy, who also failed to appear for his pre-sentence interview and hearing.

Eddy’s attorney said he was also unaware of the defendant’s whereabouts. He said the phone number he used in the past to contact his client is not working.

Eddy was originally scheduled to be sentenced on May 29; however, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the sentencing was moved to Aug. 24. As of July 27, the sentencing hearing has been cancelled and will take place at a later date. A specific sate has not been set.

Eddy, 20, picked up these charges after Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers found him in possession of a handgun and an extended magazine on the 2700 block of Langston Place, SE on Sept 18, 2019.

Judge Sentences Defendant Convicted Of Carrying A Pistol Without A License

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a defendant on July 24.

On Jan. 19, Edward Morgan, 40, boarded a Metro bus heading east on the 1300 block of U Street, NW while carrying a Smith & Wesson revolver and 41 rounds in his backpack. Morgan pleaded guilty to carrying a pistol without a license on Feb. 21.

Judge John Campbell sentenced Morgan to 18 months in jail and three years of supervised release.

He did not grant the defendant’s request for a split sentence, which would allow Morgan to serve a portion of his sentence on supervised release. The judge said he denied the request because of the defendant’s record of noncompliance with the terms of his probation in other cases.

“When he’s not incarcerated, he commits a new crime,” said the prosecution said, asking for 24 months.

Defense attorney Terrence Austins said his client should be given only 18 months in jail and three years of supervised release.

He said the majority of Morgan’s convicted offenses were drug-related and that he was cooperative with Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers when they boarded the bus to conduct a search on him.

Austin also said that Morgan was already being punished by being held in the DC Jail for seven months, four of which were during the COVID-19 pandemic, prior to his sentencing.

“He’s been punished, and he’ll continue to be punished staying in jail during COVID-19,” Austin said.

Judge Sentences Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a defendant on July 24.

Ahmed Hassan pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm in 2019. The 52-year-old pointed a gun at three individuals with whom he had an altercation with on the 1900 block of 9th Street, NW. He was seen priming his gun before being tackled by the individuals.

Judge Robert Salerno sentenced the defendant to one year of confinement plus three years of supervised probation.

During the hearing, the prosecution asked that Hassan be sentenced to 24 months of incarceration. The prosecutor said the defendant committed a series of gun-related offenses in multiple states across the country.

“There’s never been more than 5 years without a felony,” said the prosecution.

The prosecutor said the only exception was when the defendant was incarcerated for nine years in the state of California for threatening to shoot a person.

But, defense attorney Jon Norris said his client should be given only one year of incarceration and three years of supervised release.

He said Hassan did not start the altercation and was outnumbered three to one before he acted in what he wrongfully thought was self defense.

Norris also suggested that an intervention plan including trauma counseling be added to the defendant’s sentence.

Judge Salerno agreed. Hassan’s case “may not have been an instance of aggressive conduct,” the judge said.

The judge also added an intervention plan to the defendant’s sentence.

Hassan must register as a gun offender with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and pay $100 to the Victims of Violent Crime fund.

Document: Police Arrest Suspect for Homicide on 16th Street, SE

On July 25, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers arrested a suspect in connection to a homicide that occurred earlier that day.

Officers responded to reports of a shooting at 11:41 a.m. on the 1900 block of 16th Street, SE. At the scene, they found a female victim suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The victim died at the scene.

The victim was then identified as 40-year-old Tia Cokley, a resident of Southeast, DC.

MPD’s investigation also revealed that the victim and suspect knew each other.

David Robinson, 39, is charged with second-degree murder while armed. He is being held in DC Jail and awaiting a hearing on Aug. 27.

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