Judge Issues Bench Warrant for Defendant Convicted of Gun Possession

DC Superior Court Judge Erik Christian issued a bench warrant for the arrest of a felon on probation.

Alaunte Scott, 19, was sentenced to one year of probation for carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business in December of 2019. His sentence was passed under the guideline of the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA.)

Scott was scheduled for a probation hearing on Aug. 31 to determine probable cause regarding the search. However, he failed to appear.

Scott picked up the case after an incident that occurred July 26 on the 1900 block of 17th Street, SE. on July 26. According to court documents, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers noticed a bulge in Scott’s left pocket and recovered the weapon.

Judge Sentences Defendant to Three Years in Prison for Robbery

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a defendant to three years and three months in prison.

A grand jury found Suleman Muhammed Hamid, 24, guilty for robbery, assault with intent to commit robbery and possession of a controlled substance on March 3.

Judge Michale O’Keefe sentenced Hamid to 36 months for robbery and 36 months for assault with intent to commit robbery. The two sentences will run concurrently. Judge O’keefe also sentenced Hamid to 90 days for possession of a controlled substance, which will also run consecutive to the other sentences.

Once released, Hamid will also have to serve three years of supervised release. Hamid must also receive mental health treatments, participate in job training and maintain employment or enter into an educational program.

He is ordered to pay $100 to the Victims of Violent Crime fund for robbery, $100 for assault with intent to commit robbery, and $50 for possession of a controlled substance.

In 2018, security cameras caught Hamid robbing a man, according to court documents. Hamid reached in the victim’s pocket, grabbed his wallet and then punched him before fleeing the scene. At the time of the robbery, Hamid was driving a vehicle without permission. When the crime occurred, he was on probation for another robbery that took place in Maryland.

Hamid’s attorney, Nikki Lotez, asked for leniency and the mandatory minimum of two years.

Lotez also asked for her client to be sentenced under the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA,) but Judge O’Keefe denied the request due to the similar robbery case that occurred in Maryland. He also denied the request for Hamid to receive the mandatory minimum.

Lotez pointed out the doctor’s observation of paranoid behavior and indicators that suggest Hamid is struggling with mental illness.

But, Judge O’Keefe responded by recalling Hamid’s failure to appear in court, his failure to comply with the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) and an incident in which Hamid was outside the courtroom but left before the case was called.

Hamid has the right to appeal within the next 30 days.

Judge Finds Probable Cause for Child Sexual Abuse Case, Holds Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge ruled that a sex abuse case has enough evidence to go to trial. The defendant will remain held at the DC Jail.

The defendant is charged with three counts of sexual abuse on minors in connection with an incident that occurred at the Gallery Place Chinatown Metro Station on July 6. According to court documents, the defendant, 23, approached three minors and exposed himself while making indecent remarks to them. He allegedly touched one of the victims above the genital area. Before the victims managed to get away as the train approached, the defendant allegedly slapped their buttocks and one of the victim’s breasts.

Using footage from Gallery Place Metro Station, DC Metro Transit Police officer identified the three victims and the defendant during the hearing.

The witness said he was close to L’Enfant plaza when he learned about the complaint while looking into another sexual abuse complaint involving an adult woman who was groped on an escalator.

The witness said the defendant was detained for both complaints.

During cross-examination, the witness told defense attorney Stephany Reaves that the description of the suspect came directly from a dispatcher and not from the victims themselves.

The witness said he never talked to the victims. All information given to him was by other officers.

Judge Todd Edelman decided to hold Morgan because of his criminal history. Morgan is on probation for a 2017 case that includes charges for indecent sexual proposals to a minor, lewd or obscene acts and assault.

The COVID-19 pandemic has also caused Morgan to not meet his probation officer and not start sexual harassment training.

Reaves argued that while the allegations are serious, it doesn’t involve any weapons or threats.

Reaves said Morgan has potential as he was enrolled in a GED program with Youthbuild. She asked for Morgan to be released and put on GPS monitoring so he can get the rehabilitation that he needs.

However, Judge Edelman stuck with his original decision to hold Morgan.

“The defendant’s release would pose a danger to the community,” he said. “The facts of this case involving sexual touching of children is concerning. Even more concerning is that this occurs while Mr. Morgan is under court supervision for a similar case.”

Judge Edelman scheduled a felony status conference for Nov. 13 to decide how to move forward with the case.

Felony Marijuana Case Continued for Possible Resolution

A DC Superior Court judge continued a hearing to possibly resolve a felony marijuana case.

Nolan Sundita, 32, is charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Sundita and his co-defendant, Moustafa Wali, picked up the case after Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers allegedly found around 40 pounds of marijuana while executing a search warrant of his Watergate Hotel room on Nov. 18, 2019.

During the Aug. 31 hearing, defense attorney Shawn Sukumar said his client was interested in taking a plea offer that the prosecution extended.

The plea offer does not apply to Wali, who has a bench warrant out for his arrest due to not appearing in court.

Judge Rainey Brandt scheduled Sundita’s next hearing for Sept. 28.

Judge Schedules Hearing for Assault Case

On Aug. 31, a DC Superior Court judge scheduled a preliminary hearing to determine if an assault case has enough evidence to go to trial.

Andrew Wooten is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon in connection with a stabbing that occurred on June 12 on the block of 5700 3rd Street, NE.

Defense attorney Linda Houston also filed a motion to release her client from DC Jail until a determination was made on whether the case would go to trial. Her motion stated that Wooten should be released because he may have acted out of self-defense.

Judge Julie Becker said the motion would be addressed during the preliminary hearing, which she scheduled for Sept. 10.

Wooten was originally scheduled to have his preliminary hearing on Aug. 17. The hearing was postponed because he refused to take a mandatory COVID-19 test. Wooten said he did not know the test was mandatory and would take it before his next hearing.

According to court documents, Wooten, 35, was allegedly in the parking garage of an Extra Space storage center when the victim confronted him. The victim and Wooten began arguing after the victim asked Wooten to leave the premises because he didn’t believe Wooten had a storage unit there.

Judge Warns Defendant to Stay Away from Victim

A D.C. Superior Court judge warned a defendant to maintain compliance with his pretrial release conditions.

Alexander Dillard, 41, is charged with simple assault in a misdemeanor case in connection with an incident that occurred on June 12 on the 100 block of Irvington Street, SW.

During his Aug. 31 hearing, the prosecution said that Dillard violated an order to stay away from and not contact the victim.The prosecutor said the victim was very serious about Dillard honoring the no-contact order.

Judge Gerald Fisher warned that the defendant may end up in jail if he fails to comply over the following weeks.

After Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers were dispatched to the incident, the victim said that she and Dillard had an argument that resulted in the defendant striking her twice in the face. The defendant then allegedly ran from the scene before MPD had arrived, but returned later that night, according to court documents.

The victim then called officers back to the scene. The police arrested Dillard was arrested for simple assault on July 12.

Dillard’s next hearing is set for Oct. 13.

Document: Several Suspects Arrested in Connection with Robberies

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) has arrested suspects in connection with several robberies that happened in DC.

On Aug. 25, the MPD arrested two 17-year-old males for unarmed carjacking and robbery. At around 11:49 p.m. that day, the suspects allegedly approached the victims, who were in a vehicle, on the Unit block of L Street, SE. One suspect allegedly opened the vehicle’s doors and tried to take the keys. The other suspect allegedly took the other victim’s property, and then the two fled the scene.

Police also arrested a 28-year-old resident of Northwest, DC for a robbery that occurred on Aug. 25. At around 12:00 a.m., the suspect allegedly approached a victim on the Unit block of Massachusetts Avenue, NE, snatched the victim’s property and fled the scene. The suspect was arrested that same day.

One day earlier, a 19-year-old resident of Northeast, DC was arrested in connection with an armed robbery that occurred July 28 on the 100 block of Pierce Street, NW.

At around 1:25 p.m., the suspect and victim allegedly arranged to meet up to sell a vehicle. Two suspects approached the victim. After the victim paid for the vehicle, one suspect allegedly pulled out a handgun and told the victim to get out of the vehicle. The suspects fled the scene in the vehicle after the victim complied. The case remains under investigation.

On Aug. 23, police arrested a 20-year-old resident of Northwest, DC in connection with a robbery that took place that day. At around 9:40 p.m., the suspect allegedly approached the victim on the 3400 block of Holmead Place, NW. The suspect allegedly assaulted the victim and took her property.

Also on Aug. 23, police arrested a 20-year-old resident of Hyattsville, Md. in connection with an assault with intent to commit robbery that occurred that day.

At around 10:00 p.m., the suspect allegedly approached the victim on the 5900 block of Georgia Avenue, NW. The suspect allegedly assaulted the victim and then tried to take the victim’s property.

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Document: Suspect Sought for Parental Kidnapping and Burglary

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are seeking the public’s assistance locating the suspect of a parental kidnapping and burglary.

At around 12:47 a.m. on Aug. 30, a suspect forcibly entered a residence on the 1300 Block of T Street, SE. He then took a three-year-old child and fled in a white Chevy Suburban.

The child has since been located, but police are still seeking the suspect.

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Document: Homicide in Ward 5

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department are investigating a fatal shooting in Ward 5.

Officers found 25-year-old Kyree Pringle suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on the 2800 block of V Street, NE on Aug. 27. He died on the scene.

The department is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in this case or any other homicide case in the District of Columbia. Anyone with information is asked to call the police at 202-727-9099. Anonymous information may be submitted to the department’s Text Tip Line — 50411.

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Judge Takes Armed Robbery Defendant Off Home Confinement

A DC Superior Court judge ended an armed robbery defendant’s home confinement. She gave him a curfew instead.

Brandon Ward, 18, is charged in connection with a May 9 car robbery that allegedly took place on the 300 block of Buchanan Street, NW.

Ward has been on home confinement since his initial hearing in May.

During the Aug. 28 pretrial show cause hearing, the prosecution said Ward left his home without permission on multiple occasions. The prosecutor asked Judge Rainey Brandt to issue a judicial warning.

Ward’s attorney, Ieshaah Murphy, said that Ward didn’t understand how serious the court orders were and that there will be no issues moving forward.

Murphy also said Ward doesn’t have a criminal history and should be taken off of home confinement..

Judge Rainey Brandt agreed.

“I am sympathetic because of the pandemic,” she said. “I can’t look this young man in the face and tell him that this case is going to be resolved by even early 2021.”

Ward’s curfew will last from 10:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m. He will continue to wear a GPS monitor, and he must report to the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA.) regularly

Judge Brandt scheduled Ward’s next pretrial show cause hearing for Oct. 29.

Judge Schedules Preliminary Hearing for Prison Breach Defendant

A DC Superior Courts judge scheduled a hearing to determine if a prison breach case has enough evidence to go to trial.

Lionel Shackleford, 38, is charged with prison breach for allegedly leaving Hope Valley Halfway House without permission on April 7.

Shackleford transferred to the halfway house on May 20, 2019, to fulfill his pretrial release order. Around 7:45 p.m., he allegedly walked out with his personal property and entered a vehicle.

The staff later called in an escape.

Shackleford is being held at the DC Jail without bail.

Judge Julie Becker set the preliminary hearing date for Sept. 23.

Judge Schedules New Hearing for Defendants Charged in May Shooting

On Aug. 28, a DC Superior Court judge continued a hearing for an assault with a dangerous weapon case that left three victims injured.

Weslee Wilkinson and his co-defendant, Azion Johnson, are charged with assault with a dangerous weapon in connection with a May 29 shooting on the 5100 Block of Fitch Street, SE.

Wilkinson’s attorney, Julie Swaney, asked Judge Julie Becker to schedule another hearing for next week so both defendants could be arraigned at the same time.

Judge Julie Becker scheduled the case’s next hearing for Sept. 2.

Both Wilkinson and Johnson are currently being held at DC Jail.

Judge Issues Bench Warrant for No-Show Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge issued a bench warrant for the arrest of a firearms defendant who failed to appear in court on Aug. 28.

Deare Benny is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm. Benny allegedly discarded a fanny pack containing a firearm and cell phone while running from a traffic stop on the 2500 block of Alabama Avenue, SE on June 12. The defendant was apprehended on the 2500 block of 25 Street, SE.

Benny, 32, was released from DC Jail on June 31, but has failed to show up to three following hearings.

Benny has been out of the state for the first two hearings after some miscommunication with his attorney Charles Murdter. Murdter took responsibility for Benny’s absence for an Aug. 25 hearing as well.

“It’s on me that he didn’t appear, I told him it was a call in hearing which got him confused because I’m calling in but he has to be present,” Murdter said.

On Aug. 25, Benny’s pretrial hearing was continued, Judge Rainey Brandt gave Benny until Aug. 28 to show up or a bench warrant would be issued.

Murdter tried to reach his client by texting and calling him during the hearing. He was unable to reach him.

Judge Sentences Defendant Under Youth Act, Despite Prosecution’s Objection

A DC Superior Court judge gave a defendant a suspended sentence plus probation for carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business.

Delvon Hill, 20, pleaded guilty to carrying a pistol without a license in two cases.

As part of a plea deal with the prosecution, Hill’s other charges of reckless driving, weapon possession, fleeing a law enforcement officer, destruction of property, leaving after colliding, possessing an unregistered firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition were dropped.

Despite the objections from the prosecution, who said Hill had been given too many chances, Judge Rainey Brandt sentenced Hill under the guidelines of the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA.)

“Mr. Hill is a young man who is crying out for help. He’s cried out for help twice by getting criminal convictions and no one up to now has listened to him,” she said. “It’s unfortunate that it took him getting incarcerated to get help.”

Judge Brandt sentenced Hill to 12 months, all of which were suspended, plus one year of probation.

Hill was also charged with carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business in May of 2019.

“Mr. Hill has been locked up for over three months during the second-worst pandemic that the United States has endured. This time is more difficult than any other time,” defense attorney Richard Holliday said during the Aug. 28 hearing.

Holliday also spoke about how Hill grew up with many challenges and had to move around to on of the “toughest” neighborhoods in the city.

“Hill lost his good friend to violence last year; that reinforced in his mind that he has to protect himself,” Holliday said. “If you don’t come from that environment then it becomes exceedingly hard to understand that mindset.”

Hill has been receiving mental health treatment while incarcerated.

“I’ve had an opportunity to go to the DC jail and speak to Mr. Hill on many occasions,” Holliday said. “Mr. Hill is a totally different person when he is taking those psychotropic drugs.

It has a calming effect on him. It chills him out,” the lawyer continued.

Hill apologized to the victim and took full responsibility for his actions.

“When I was out there I was asking for help for my mental health and people overlooked it. I’ve been trying to work on it on my own, but it hasn’t helped. The medicine has helped me not get as angry,” Hill said.

According to court documents, in 2019 Hill stole a Hyundai that was registered in the District of Columbia and then crashed it trying to flee from the police.

According to the victim’s impact statement, the expenses that Hill caused are not covered by the insurance company.

However, Hill will not have to pay restitution for the damaged vehicle.

“The court shouldn’t impose a restitution order from where there’s no means to extract that restitution,” Judge Brandt said.

As part of his probation, Hill must get his driver’s license, partake in a drug treatment program, take anger management classes, and participate in a day reporting center run by the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA).

Hill is also ordered not to drive without a valid permit and must pay $200 to the Victims of Violent Crime fund.

He must also register as a gun offender within the next 48 hours.

Hill will not have to do any community service hours due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Judge Holds 7 Out of 26 Defendants During Initial Hearings

On Aug. 28, DC Superior Court Judge Juliet McKenna released 19 defendants and held seven defendants in DC Jail during their initial hearings.

Judge McKenna held Tyrone Hector, who is charged with involuntary manslaughter for a vehicular accident in which a person on a motorized scooter was killed.

Hector’s defense counsel asked for his release, stating there was no indication he was on drugs or anywhere near the legal limit of alcohol.

She said the police said he was acting disoriented, but they never took him to the hospital even though the impact of the crash was so large that Hector’s windshield was shattered and the motorist’s helmet was inside his car.

She also said Hector has several health conditions, including high blood pressure, making him more susceptible to COVID-19.

Despite these reasons, Judge McKenna held Hector due to his significant criminal history and previous conviction of tampering with a court-ordered GPS monitoring device.

She said she was not confident that he would follow court orders if released.

Judge McKenna also held four individuals who are fugitives from justice from the state of Maryland.

One defendant, Joseph Hurt, is a fugitive from justice with a probation violation for a previous assault conviction. Judge McKenna said she was not inclined to release Hurt, citing that he never reported to his probation officer upon release from incarceration.

The second defendant, Donnie Leake, is a fugitive from justice, with an underlying charge of robbery. Judge McKenna said she was not prepared to release him given the nature of the charge and due to his prior firearms conviction.

The third defendant, Jamaarr Morgan, is a fugitive from justice charged with armed carjacking with a firearm. Due to the nature of the charge, Judge McKenna said she was not comfortable releasing him.

The final defendant, Dominique Hill, is charged with robbery and due to the serious nature of the crime, the judge deemed it necessary she be held.

All four defendants waived their hearings in DC court. Maryland authorities have three business days to pick them up from DC Jail.

A defendant in a domestic violence case, charged with unlawful entry on private property, simple assault and contempt, was also held.

Judge McKenna said the nature of the defendant’s actions were egregious in the case. The defendant was also before the court two weeks ago in another case involving the same complaining witness, showing “utter disregard” for a stay-away order.

Finally, Azion Johnson, charged with assault with a dangerous weapon (a firearm), was held.

The judge made this ruling due to the fact that three individuals were shot and Johnson was found in possession of a high capacity feeding device and ammunition.

Of those released, two defendants were charged with simple assault in domestic violence cases. One of the defendants was hospitalized on Aug. 27 but was able to be in court on Aug. 28. Both defendants were given stay-away orders.

Judge McKenna released two defendants charged with being fugitives from justice with orders to turn themselves in to the demanding jurisdictions by Aug. 31.

Ten misdemeanor cases were presented before Judge McKenna involving charges of simple assault, unlawful entry, second-degree theft, resisting arrest, assault on a police officer, carrying a pistol in a prohibited location and unlawful possession of a controlled substance (PCP). All were released and four were given stay-away orders.

Two defendants charged with felonies were released by the judge. One defendant was charged with carrying a pistol without a license outside of the home or business, and the other was charged with distribution of a controlled substance, which was cocaine.

One defendant was released on a citation, and another defendant was brought in on a bench warrant for failing to appear at his hearing. He was released with a new court date.

A defendant waived his extradition hearing on Aug. 24 for Maryland authorities to pick him up, but he was never retrieved. The prosecution dismissed his case, and Judge McKenna released him.

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