Crime Alerts: July 20-21

The Metropolitan Police Department sent out five crime alerts since 8 p.m. on June 20. All but one of the alerts were in reference to shootings.

The most recent alert was sent at 5:22 a.m. for a shooting at 14th Street and Taylor Street, NW. Police do not have a description of the suspect available.

Another alert of a shooting was sent out a 2:38 a.m. The gunfire occurred on the 200 Block of Newcomb Street, SE. Police do not have a description of the suspect.

About an hour before, at 1:46 a.m. there was an alert of another shooting on the 100 block of Uhland Terrace, NE. Police are looking for a dark colored vehicle that was last seen in front of the location.

At 1:02 a.m. an alert for a shooting was also sent out. The shooting occurred on the 5300 block of East Capitol Street, NE. Police do not have a description of the suspect available.

The only alert that was not reference to a shooting was of a robber that was sent out at 8:48 p.m. on July 20. The robbery occurred on the 300 block of 40th Street NE. The police are looking for two black males. The first suspect has a light complexion, medium build and is wearing a white shirt. The second suspect has a dark complexion, medium build and is wearing jeans. The suspect is believed to be armed with a gun.

Document: Police Arrest Suspect for Assault with a Weapon

On July 20, detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department arrested a suspect for assault with a dangerous weapon.

According to a press release, the 27-year-old suspect allegedly fired at a victim during a a verbal altercation on the 4300 block of Massachusetts Avenue, SE.

The victim was not injured and the incident, which took place on July 15, was domestic in nature.

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Defendant Enters Into Deferred Prosecution Agreement

A defendant charged with unlawful entry entered into a deferred prosecution agreement.

On Jan. 25, Sean Brislin entered an apartment on the 200 block of K Street, NE uninvited. The resident of the apartment contacted the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) after she discovered Brislin sleeping in her bed.

As part of the agreement, Brislin must stay away from the apartment and its resident, perform 32 hours of community service and partake in an alcohol treatment program.

However, the victim voiced her dissatisfaction with the agreement during the July 20 hearing. She said she was traumatized by the crime and the terms of the agreement did not sufficiently punish the defendant.

“I now feel like a stranger in my own dwelling,” she said.

Defense attorney Christopher Mutimer disagreed, saying the agreement was appropriate because Brislin has no criminal history. He also said that Brislin’s entry into the apartment could not have been intentional, as he was intoxicated at the time.

While acknowledging the resident’s concerns, Judge William Nooter ultimately proceeded with the agreement.

“The terms, especially the stay away order, will be strictly enforced by the court,” he said.

Brislin is scheduled to return to court on Nov. 20 for a status hearing.

Judge Issues A Bench Warrant for Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge issued a bench warrant for a defendant’s arrest, saying there does not appear to be any other way to find him.

Morgan Holmes is charged with simple assault, unlawful entry onto private property and contempt.

The July 20 hearing was scheduled to address the defendant’s issues with complying with his release conditions. He was released on March 6, but received a notice of noncompliance on March 10 and July 2.

A Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) representative said the defendant has been a loss of contact.

Police Investigate Homicide on Stanton Road, SE

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred on July 19.

Around 11:30 p.m., police found 37-year-old Rayfone Gassaway unconscious and suffering from gunshot wounds on the 3400 block of Stanton Road, SE. Emergency Medical Services determined that the victim showed no signs of life.

The MPD is currently offering a reward of up to $25,000 to anyone that provides information that leads to an arrest and conviction in this case or any other homicide case in Washington, DC. Anyone with information should call the police at 202-797-9099. Anonymous information may also be submitted to the department’s Text Tip Line — 50411.

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Judge Reschedules 3 Probation Show Cause Hearings

Three hearings that were supposed to happen on July 20 were rescheduled until Oct. 5.

Victor Guzman, Visious Dixon and Melvin Bray were scheduled for probation show cause hearings.

According to DC Courts, Guzman pleaded guilty on Feb. 6, 2019, to driving under the influence of alcohol or a drug and operating a vehicle while impaired. He was sentenced to one year of probation.

As conditions of his probation, Guzman was ordered to complete a traffic alcohol program and traffic safety program. He also must attend a victim impact panel.

After a report of a violation, Guzman’s probation was revoked on Feb. 3, 2020. He was sentenced to 75 days, 69 of which were suspended, and placed on six months of probation.

Dixon pleaded guilty to attempted operating of a vehicle after revocation of his license. He was put on probation for six months. While on probation, he was ordered to complete 90 hours of community service.

He received a probation violation report on June 4, 2020.

Bray pleaded guilty to leaving after colliding with personal injury. He was sentenced to 90 days, 66 of which were suspended. The remaining 24 days were to be served on weekends.

As conditions of his probation, Bray was ordered to complete drug testing and a traffic safety program. He is also required to attend a victim impact panel.

Bray received a probation violation report on Feb. 12, 2020.

Judge Waits to Rule on Assault Defendant’s Release

DC Superior Court Judge James Crowell told parties he would decide on a defendant’s release by the end of the week, saying he needs more time before he can confidently make a ruling.

Buiam Yeshigeta is charged with simple assault, attempted possession of a prohibited weapon and second-degree theft. He is charged in two misdemeanor cases from this year.

Yeshigeta has been held in DC Jail since March 10. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Yeshigeta’s hearings have been rescheduled multiple times.

Defense attorney Jamison Koehler requested that his client be released and connected with outpatient mental health services. Koehler cited many factual issues with the case, saying that a victim in one of the cases was intoxicated. Koehler also said an altercation, in another case, was perpetrated by both the victim and the defendant.

The lawyer also said Yeshigeta does not have another hearing for his cases until Oct. 9, emphasizing that the defendant would be held for eight months on unproven misdemeanor allegations.

Koehler the jail has not provided the defendant with the medications needed for his schizophrenia diagnosis.

Yeshigeta’s mother and sister, who he has a supportive relationship with, said they would be willing to take him to psychiatric appointments.

However, the prosecution said Yeshigeta should be held, citing the violent nature of the charges and the injuries one of the victims obtained.

The prosecution also pointed out that Yeshigeta was on probation for attempted possession of a prohibited weapon at the time of the incident.

Judge Crowell said Yeshigeta has troubling allegations against him, but the case will likely not be tried in the near future due to COVID-19.

Judge Crowell proposed the idea of eventually releasing Yeshigeta under home confinement as part of the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP). He would only be able to leave his residence for psychiatric appointments.

However, Judge Crowell said he didn’t feel like he could make a decision during the hearing. He told both parties that he would make a decision by the end of this week.

Defense Asks for Time to Discuss Plea Offer

On July 20, a defense attorney asked a DC Superior Court judge to schedule another status hearing so she can receive a plea offer from the prosecution and discuss it with her client.

Demetrius Golden is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for allegedly shooting a victim on March 26 on the 3200 block of Georgia Avenue, NW.

DC Superior Court Judge Ronna Beck granted the defense’s request and scheduled another hearing for Aug. 25.

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers identified Golden as the suspect from video surveillance that captured the license plate of a car the suspect was driving, according to court documents.

Judge Issues Bench Warrant for Suspected Homeless Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge issued a bench warrant for the arrest of a defendant who may be homeless.

Dion Ingram is charged with second-degree burglary for allegedly entering a shop on the 1200 block of Good Hope Road, SE with the intent to steal property in the early morning hours of April 14.

The July 20 hearing was held to address Ingram’s issues with complying with his release conditions.

A representative from the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) says he has been a loss of contact, is not complying with the terms of his pretrial release and has not verified his address.

The defendant was released on April 14. He received a notice of non compliance on June 22.

Ingram’s defense attorney said she thinks her client may be homeless, and that the number she has used to try and contact him has not been working.

Judge Denies Defendant’s Release

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.

Document: Police Arrest Suspect for Burglary

Officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrested a suspect for burglary.

The incident occurred on July 19 on the 1400 block of 1st Street, SW.

According to court documents, the 35-year-old suspect entered someone’s home, stole property and then fled the scene.

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Defendant Pleads Guilty to Sexual Solicitation

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.

Document: Traffic Fatality in Capitol View Neighborhood

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.

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Document: Police Arrest Suspect for Burglary

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrested a suspect in connection to a burglary that occurred on July 19.

The 32-year-old suspect allegedly entered a residence on the 3600 block of New Hampshire Avenue, NW. He tried to take property around 4:02 p.m.

The suspect was arrested by responding officers.

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Document: Police Arrest Two Robbery Suspects

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.

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