Judge Demands Drug Test for Defendant

On July 9, the prosecution pushed for a convicted violent offender to be transferred to in-patient services for the remainder of their sentence.

Clarence Alexander was convicted of simple assault on Nov. 21, 2019, and sentenced to one year of probation on Dec. 18, 2019. According to court documents, the defendant was under the influence of the drug K2 when he committed the crime.

DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe ruled that the defendant must take an immediate drug test after multiple probation violations in Jan. 2020.

In order to demonstrate that he was no longer ingesting the substance, his probation’s primary condition was to appear for multiple drug tests. However, Alexander has not reported for the test and his probation officer has not been able to reach him because he is homeless.

A Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) officer, who oversaw the conditions for Alexander’s probation, initially requested in-patient services for drug abuse for the remainder of Alexander’s sentence.

The prosecutor agreed.

Alexander’s attorney, Chris Langello, argued that since the defendant has not taken a drug test, there is no proof that he has been consuming K2.

The attorney said his client has not abused any controlled substances aside from marijuana and alcohol for at least 3 months. He would “rather go to jail than receive in-patient care,” Langello said.

The officer agreed to extend the defendant’s probation if he immediately reported to a CSOSA drug-testing location after the trial.

Judge O’Keefe agreed, saying, if Alexander tests negative, he would remain on probation and be responsible for weekly check-ins with his probation officer going forward. If he tests positive, he would be recommended for in-patient treatment or detention.

The judge made Alexander step out of the courtroom to make an appointment for drug testing.

The defendant’s next hearing is scheduled to take place on Aug. 13.

Document: Police Arrest Suspect for Burglary

Officers from the Metropolitan Police Department arrested a man who is suspected of taking property from an establishment in Northwest DC.

Officers apprehended 65-year-old Malcolm Barr for burglary two.

According to a press release, the suspect allegedly gained entry to the establishment located on the 1900 block of 18th Street, NW and took property.

He is awaiting his initial hearing in DC Superior Court.

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Document: Police Arrest Suspect for Independence Day Homicide

Officers from the Metropolitan Police Department arrested a juvenile for a fatal shooting on July 4.

The juvenile was apprehended on July 8 for first-degree murder. He allegedly shot 36-year-old Antonio Gardiner on the 1500 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.

The homicide was one of two shootings on Independence Day.

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Judge Sets Date for Defendant’s Preliminary Hearing

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a hearing for a defendant charged with robbery and assault with a dangerous weapon.

Eldred Watts, 26, allegedly jumped a man on the 3800 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE on Jan. 30. The victim flagged down a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer.

Judge Julie Becker scheduled the hearing for Aug. 6, during which the court will decide if the case has enough evidence to move forward.

According to court documents, the MPD published a video of the crime across social media platforms in an effort to get the public’s help identifying the suspect. On Feb. 1, an anonymous caller contacted the MPD and identified Watts.

On Feb. 1, the MPD recovered a firearm from Watts. After comparing the recovered gun to the still images of the gun used in the assault, the MPD determined that the gun was the same. An arrest warrant was then issued for Watts’ arrest.

Watts was held at DC Jail on April 25. He was denied a request to be released based on medical conditions on May 20. Watts is still being held in the jail.

Judge Cancels Bench Warrant

DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe canceled a bench warrant for a defendant’s arrest on July 9 because he was detained at another jail when he failed to show up to his court date.

Anton Abney pleaded guilty to simple assault on Oct. 26, 2017. He was sentenced to 18 months of supervised probation.

Abney failed to report to the hearing that was scheduled after he violated the conditions of his probation, prompting the bench warrant to be issued.

Defense attorney Thomas Healy said his client did not show up because he was detained at the Montgomery County Detention Center in Clarksburg, Md., where he was serving a sentence for underage possession of a regulated firearm.

Defendant Doesn’t Have to Serve Jail Time for Assault and Property Charges

A defendant pleaded guilty to assault and destruction of property on July 9, receiving a 90-day suspended sentence.

The defendant, who was convicted in a domestic violence case, admitted to punching his ex-boyfriend in the face, breaking into his house and smashing a microwave oven and refrigerator.

The defendant has to serve 12 months on probation for the crimes. During probation he is required to undergo drug and alcohol testing and a mental health assessment.

The prosecution also asked that Russell be ordered to stay away from a store that was part of another case.

Judge Maribeth Raffinan did not grant the request since that case is now closed, but she did issue a stay away order from the victim.

Judge Continues Hearing for Defendant to Review and Sign Plea Deal

A DC Superior Court judge continued a defendant’s hearing on July 9 in order to give his attorney more time to review a plea offer with the defendant and get it signed.

Olonzie Coney was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon on March 2. He was released awaiting trial in April.

Coney’s attorney, Lucas Dansie, requested that Coney plead guilty to both charges on July 9. However, Dansie did not provide Judge Julie Becker with a signed copy of the plea agreement.

Dansie requested that Judge Becker place the defendant’s signature on the agreement via verbal confirmation, but Judge Becker said she was uncomfortable doing so.

Judge Becker continued the hearing in order for Dansie to go over the terms of the agreement and get Coney’s signature.

According to court documents, Coney was arrested for second-degree theft on May 8 following his release for the weapons charge. He allegedly robbed an establishment on the 700 block of 14 Street, NW. He is currently being held on a cash bond.

Both of Coney’s cases were continued until July 15, when he is expected to plead guilty.

Judge Revokes Homeless Defendant’s Bench Warrant

DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe revoked a defendant’s bench warrant for failure to appear in court on July 8.

Aubrey Mays was charged with possession of a controlled substance on May 10, 2018. He failed to appear to his non-jury trial on Dec. 11, 2019.

Mays said he came to court July 8 to resolve the bench warrant in an effort to pursue sobriety. Christ House, an organization dedicated to helping homeless men, provided the defendant with medical care and substance abuse treatment.

The defendant must contact the Pretrial Services Agency once a week.

Mays’ next hearing is scheduled for Sept. 8.

Crime Alerts: July 8-9

Between 8 p.m. on July 8 and 8 a.m. on July 9, the Metropolitan Police Department sent out two crime alerts.

The most recent alert, sent at 10:23 p.m., was for a shooting on the 1700 block of Benning Road, NE. Police are looking for a black vehicle associated with the shooting.

The second alert was sent at 9:57 p.m. for a stabbing on the 800 block of N Street, NW. Police do not have a description of the suspect at this time.

If you have any information about these events, please call 911.

Crime Alerts; July 8

The Metropolitan Police Department sent out four crime alerts after 11a.m. on July 8.

The most recent alert was sent at 9:57 p.m. for a stabbing on the 800 block of N Street, NW.

An alert was sent at 7:10p.m. for an armed carjacking investigation on the 1700 block of Lang Place, NE. Police are looking for two black males, aged 16-17 years old. One suspect is wearing a black shirt and black pants. The second suspect is wearing a dark blue shirt, and black pants. Both suspects are armed.

At 4:39p.m. an alert for a shooting on the 4600 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SW was sent out. Police are looking for two juvenile males in a silver vehicle. They were last seen fleeing the scene.

At 11:07 a.m. police sent out a crime alert for a robbery with a gun on the 500 block of Randolph Street, NW. Police are looking for two black males, approximately 5’6” who are 25 years old, carrying black handguns. The suspects were last seen traveling eastbound down the alley in a black minivan. The model is not known.

If anyone has information on these crimes, please call 911.

Defendant Pleads Guilty to Carrying Pistol Without License, Placed on Probation

A defendant pleaded guilty July 8 to carrying a pistol without a license and unlawful possession of ammunition and a high-capacity feeding device.

Gregory Skinner pointed a handgun at a woman on June 28, 2019, after she confronted him for trying to steal tires on a vehicle parked on the 400 block of 18th Street, SE.

Skinner received a suspended sentence of 60 days in jail plus six months of probation.

Judge Michael Ryan said that Skinner’s probation will be revoked unless he maintains or is actively seeking employment.

Skinner will not be placed on GPS monitoring.

The defendant’s next court hearing is scheduled for

Judge Releases Defendant Charged With Unlawful Possession of Firearm

A DC Superior Court judge released a defendant charged with unlawful possession of a firearm.

A representative from the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) requested that Judge Judith Smith revoke Anthony Mason’s probation.

The representative cited multiple instances of non compliance, including losing contact with his probation officer, violating a home confinement order and failing to charge his GPS tracking device.

Mason’s probation officer mentioned that the defendant has had an unpleasant relationship with his mental health counselor, saying he seldom answered the phone. “When he did he would either fall asleep or act loud and aggressive,” the officer said.

Defense attorney John Armstrong said his client has made progress despite difficulties in his life, saying that Mason did try to call his probation officer but was ignored.

He also suggested that Mason’s mental health counselor be replaced.

Judge Smith decided said the defendant has to put more effort into complying with his probation. She also said Mason has the right to replace his mental health provider, although it was not up to her to decide.

Mason’s next hearing is scheduled for Aug. 26.

Defendant Required to Serve Probation Time for Sex Abuse

On July 8, a defendant pleaded guilty to second-degree sexual abuse. A DC Superior Court judge sentenced him to nearly 6 months in prison.

Eric Metzker penetrated a woman with his finger while she was asleep on Jan. 1, 2018.

The incarceration time was suspended, but Metzker is required to serve three years on probation.

The prosecution requested that Metzker receive four years on probation for the crime. The prosecutor said one of the years needed to be supervised. He also asked that Metzker partake in an alcohol and sexual abuse education course.

Defense attorney Michael Salnick pushed back, saying that probation should not exceed three years because his client has no criminal history and has been law-abiding ever since his first court hearing.

In response to a letter from the victim claiming that Metzker was unrepentant because he only accepted the plea deal after two-and-a-half years.

Judge Neal Kravitz ordered that Metzker receive three years of probation, perform 100 hours of community service, and stay away from the victim.

Metzker’s probation will remain supervised until he completes Reach, a counseling program for people involved in sexual abuse.

Judge Issues Bench Warrant for Assault Defendant

DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe issued a bench warrant for a defendant who failed to appear for his July 8 hearing.

Mark Harris was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon on Sept. 28.

Harris, 33, allegedly put a gun to a woman’s face and said “I’ll kill you” after she tried to tell him that he could accidentally shoot someone. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers apprehended the defendant on the 1300 block of Half Street, SW.

A Pretrial Services Agency representative reported a loss of contact with Harris.

The representative said he believes Harris is not making himself available because he is aware of the warrant.

Judge Releases All 14 Defendants During Initial Hearings

On July 8, DC Superior Court Judge James Crowell released all 14 defendants during their initial hearings.

Of the 14 defendants brought before the judge, four had multiple charges. The prosecution also dismissed the charges in three additional cases that were originally scheduled to appear in court.

During the proceedings, one defendant was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon after allegedly attacking a maintenance worker with a knife on July 7.

Judge Crowell released the defendant and imposed a stay-away order at the prosecution’s request. The defendant is scheduled to return to court on Oct. 7.

Another man was charged with simple assault, attempted threats and the possession of a prohibited weapon after allegedly attempting to stab a man in Malcolm X Meridian Park. According to the victim, the defendant was yelling anti-gay slurs at them during the incident.

After getting a Spanish interpreter to translate, Judge Crowell released the defendant, imposing a stay-away order from the victim and the park.

Of the three additional defendants facing charges for simple assault, two were also charged with attempted possession of a prohibited weapon. One of the two was also charged with second-degree theft. All three defendants were released with stay-away orders in place.

The final defendant facing assault charges is charged with assault with intent to commit third-degree sex abuse. The prosecutor requested that the defendant be held in DC Jail due to both the nature of the charge and because of an additional sex abuse charge from January of this year. Judge Crowell denied his request and imposed a stay-away order.

Judge Crowell warned the defendant that if he were to violate the conditions of his release, he would be “unlikely” to get out of jail the next time.

Another defendant was charged with unlawfully possessing a firearm for an incident that occurred in the early hours of July 8.

The defendant’s attorney argued against there being probable cause for the charge because the only evidence came from a witness that the defendant had just met. According to court documents, a gun discharged from the third floor of an apartment building through the ceiling of the apartment below.

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers investigated an apartment that belonged to the witness, who said that the defendant had accidentally discharged a gun he owned while cleaning it.

The attorney said the defendant did not claim ownership of the firearm, and suggested that it may have instead been the witness’ gun.

However, Judge Crowell, said there was probable cause. The defendant is released until his next court date with requirements to report every week to pretrial services by phone.

A defendant charged with resisting arrest was issued a stay-away order from the White House complex. During the offense in question, the defendant allegedly got into an altercation with a person shouting “four more years” on the 800 block of 16th Street, NW, an area recently named Black Lives Matter Plaza.

The stay-away order that was first requested by police for an arrest warrant. Upon learning of the order, the defendant protested that such an action is “unconstitutional.”

Judge Crowell told the defendant that he is free to request that a judge remove the stay-away at a later date.

One defendant charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia was released with no conditions.

Another defendant faced similar charges for carrying a pistol without a license outside of a home or place of business. Judge Crowell released him with a stay-away order from the 900 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, NW and the 600 block of 4th Street, NW.

Two more defendants, one charged with threats to do bodily harm and the other with defacing public or private property, were released before their next hearings with no conditions. Both are scheduled to return to court on Oct. 7.

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