Crime Alerts: August 18-19

Between 9 p.m. on Aug. 18 and 9 a.m. on Aug. 19, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out four crime alerts.

The most recent alert was sent at 3:45 a.m. for a stabbing on the 1100 block of 30th Street, NW. One suspect was stopped by the police.

An alert for a robbery investigation was sent at 3:36 a.m. on the 300 block of 20th Street, NE. Police are looking for two Black males. The first suspect is wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with orange and red writing. The second suspect is wearing a black hooded sweatshirt.

An alert for a stabbing investigation was sent at 10:03 p.m. on the 1200 block of Brentwood Road, NE. Police do not have a description of the suspect(s).

The final alert was sent at 9:35 p.m. for a robbery with a gun on the 3000 block of P Street, NW. Police are looking for a Black male wearing a white shirt, black pants and armed with a silver handgun.

If anyone has information about these events, please call 911.

Judge Continues Probation Hearing

On Aug. 18, a DC Superior Court judge gave a defendant more time to demonstrate compliance with the conditions of his probation..

Kristopher Shrewsbury pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction in March of 2019. He was sentenced to 546 days in jail with all but 366 days suspended plus two years of probation. The conditions of his probation include substance abuse assessments, participation in a parent skills group and maintaining or seeking employment.

Shrewsbury received a notice of noncompliance on July 13.

A Court Services and Supervision Agency (CSOSA) officer said that, even though the defendant previously missed classes and has struggled to comply with his probation conditions, he has recently come into compliance.

Judge Rainey Brandt continued the probation show cause hearing to Oct. 20.

Judge Issues Bench Warrant for Defendant

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt issued a bench warrant for a convicted felon who did not show up to court.

Tawayne Weaver was charged with possession with intent to distribute liquid PCP and distribution of liquid PCP as a result of a buy bust operation that Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers conducted on May 28, 2019 on the 100 block of Wayne Place, SE. A jury found Weaver guilty on March 17.

He was released pending sentencing and ordered to report to the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) on a weekly basis. .

On Aug. 14, the PSA filed a notice of non compliance. A pretrial show cause hearing was scheduled for Aug. 18, but Weaver failed to appear.

Weaver is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 27, 2021.

Judge Issues Bench Warrant for Defendant

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt issued a bench warrant for a defendant who did not show up to his probation show cause hearing.

In June of 2019, Klavin Johnson pleaded guilty to second-degree theft for stealing tires and rims on May 6, 2019, on the 400 block of Rhode Island Avenue, NE.

Johnson was sentenced to one year of probation the following August. On Feb. 13, he was re-sentenced to 90 days, all of which were suspended, plus one year of probation due to a felony arrest. He was also ordered to attend an in-patient drug treatment program and complete community service.

The Aug. 18 show cause hearing was scheduled to address his issues complying with the terms of his probation.

The Court Services and Supervision Agency (CSOSA) filed notices of noncompliance on Jan. 22, May 28 and Aug. 7. Johnson failed to appear to his hearings for all three matters and has had multiple bench warrants issued for his arrest.

A CSOSA officer said the defendant has been a loss of contact since May.

Johnson picked up felony charges for manufacturing with intent to distribute crack cocaine and distribution of crack cocaine on Feb. 10. He was arrested due to a buy bust operation that Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers were conducting the previous day on the 1400 block of Perry Place, NW, according to court documents.

Judge Holds Four Out of 31 Defendants During Initial Hearings

On Aug. 18, DC Superior Court Judge James Crowell released 27 defendants and held four in DC jail.

Deon Hardy was brought in on two cases. In one case, he was charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance (synthetic cannabinoid), and he was charged with GPS tampering in the other case. Judge Crowell released him on his two new cases, but he was held on a parole warrant.

Judge Crowell also held three defendants who were charged with being fugitives from justice in Maryland. Jujuan Thomas is, wanted on a sex offense. Khalil Grooms and Kenneth Sedgwick are wanted for homicide and homicide, respectively. They all waived their hearings in DC court for Maryland authorities to come pick them up within three business days.

There were five additional fugitive cases presented before the judge. Judge Crowell released four with orders to turn themselves in to the demadning jurisdictions, and he dismissed one of the cases because the defendant had already been released from police custody.

Three defendants who are charged with domestic violence were released by Judge Crowell with either stay-away orders or no harassing, assaultive, threatening or stalking (HATS) orders related to the alleged victims.

There were eight additional misdemeanor cases and three felony cases. All of the defendants were released with various release conditions.

Three defendants came in on bench warrants for failing to appear at their hearings. They were released by the judge with new court dates.

Two defendants came in on citations and were released with new court dates, as well.

Two defendants who have been hospitalized were still in the hospital, so their hearings were moved to Aug. 19.

Of those released, three did not have charges filed against them by the prosecution.

Defendant Has Until End of Week to Contact Pretrial Services

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt gave a defendant until Aug. 21 to get in touch with the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA).

Lorenzo Brooks is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for allegedly chasing someone with a knife on the 2400 block of Washington Place, NE on July 7. Brooks was released from DC Jail on July 8 with a stay away order.

During the Aug. 18 hearing, a PSA officer said that Brooks has not contacted the agency since his release. The agency filed a notice of noncompliance on Aug. 7.

However, defense attorney Seth Shraeger said his client got in touch with the PSA on Aug. 13. Shraeger said Brooks did not understand his requirement to report to the agency on a weekly basis.

Brooks’ next hearing is scheduled for March 10, 2021.

Judge Releases Defendant from Home Confinement

A DC Superior Court judge ended a defendant’s home confinement and placed him under the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP.)

Donnell Jones, 21, is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction and assault with a dangerous weapon for allegedly shooting at a crowd on the 1300 block of Columbia Road, NW on March 24. Jones’ co-defendant, Emon Flemming, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and carrying a pistol without a license in connection with the incident. Jones was held in DC Jail from March 24 until June 2, when he was released under home confinement stipulations.

During the Aug. 18 hearing, defense attorney Evan Parke asked Judge Rainey Brandt to downgrade his client’s pretrial release conditions so he could seek employment.

“Mr. Jones is seeking to get back to helping his family, bringing in some income,” Parke said. “His son was born while he was incarcerated, and he has a chance to help raise him under HISP.”

A Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) officer supported the request. The officer said that Jones has been compliant with his release conditions and the agency would be comfortable with releasing him under HISP.

Judge Brandt gave Jones a 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. curfew and ordered him to wear a GPS monitor.

Jones’ next hearing is scheduled for Oct. 28.

Judge Decides to Continue Defendant’s Detention Hearing

DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe continued a detention hearing after a defendant said he would like to accept a plea offer.

Rafeeq Porter is charged with simple assault for allegedly throwing a bowl of fruit at an employee at the Noma-Gallaudet University Metro Station on June 11. Porter is also charged with simple assault, second-degree theft, unlawful entry of private property, and destruction of property less than $1,000 in several ongoing misdemeanor cases.

On Aug. 18, Porter said he would waive his right to a detention hearing after expressing interest in a plea offer that would address all ongoing matters.

However, Porter has an open arrest warrant that has not been addressed in the plea offer. The prosecution asked for some time to consider the warrant and modify the offer.

Judge Michael O’Keefe continued the hearing to Aug. 25.

Defendant Sentenced for Felony Gun Offense

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a defendant for carrying a pistol without a license.

Judge Robert Salerno sentenced Levite Lagarde to six months, all of which were suspended, plus two years of probation.

“He really has turned a chapter with his life,” defense attorney Stephen Brennwald said. “…I think he’s grown up a lot.”

In passing the sentence, Judge Salerno took into consideration how Lagarde has many arrests, but few convictions.

“You’re either a very lucky person or a very unlucky person,” he told the defendant.

Lagarde expressed his desire to make changes in his life during the Aug. 18 hearing.

“I was just hanging around the wrong people…my mind just wasn’t right,” he said.

Lagarde spoke about his interest in working construction; however, due to epilepsy, he cannot operate certain machinery.

As a condition of his probation, the defendant must obtain and maintain employment or get assistance in a vocational program.

Lagarde must also complete 30 hours of community service, register as a gun offender and pay $100 to the Victim of Violence Crime Compensation fund.

Crime Alerts: August 17-18

Between 9 p.m. on Aug. 17 and 9 a.m. on Aug. 18, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out five crime alerts.

The most recent alert was sent at 2:59 a.m. for a robbery on the 1700 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE. Police do not have a description of the suspect(s).

An alert for a shooting was sent at 1:35 a.m. on the 400 block of 13th Street, NE. Police are looking for a black SUV last seen heading eastbound on the 1300 block of D Street, NE.

An alert for an armed carjacking investigation was sent at 12:23 a.m. on the 500 block of 55th Street, NE. Police are looking for a 2020 white, 4-door Toyota Corolla with Maryland plates 26812CJ.

An alert for a shooting was sent at 10:51 p.m. on the 1100 block of 3rd Street, SW. Police are looking for a red SUV.

The final alert, sent at 10:26 p.m., was for a shooting on the 1700 block of S Street, SE. Police do not have a description of the suspect(s).

If anyone has information about these events, please call 911.

Crime Alerts: August 17

The Metropolitan Police Department sent out four crime alerts since the afternoon on August 17..

The most recent alert was sent at 5:05 p.m. for am armed carjacking on the 5300 block of East Capital Street, SE. Police are looking for a 2020 Silver 4-door sedan with a Maryland Tag: 3ED8945.

At 5 p.m., police sent out an alert of a shooting investigation at the 62nd Street and Banks Place, NE. Police do not have a description of the suspect.

At 4:37 p.m., police sent out an alert for a robbery investigation on the 1300 block of 5th Street, NE. Police are looking for two suspects. The fist suspect is a black male, who was not wearing a shirt and armed with a gun. The second suspect is a black male who was wearing a colorful shirt. The suspects were last seen headed northbound on 6th Street, fleeing in a White Hyundai Accent possibly bearing Maryland tags.

At 2:47, an alert was sent out for a shooting investigation at 200 block of 51ST Street, NE. An adult male was found suffering from a gunshot wound to the left hand. The victim is conscious and breathing. Police do not have a description of the suspect.

If anyone has information on any of these incidents, please call 911.

Document: Young Adult Dies After Fatal Shooting in Langdon Neighborhood

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) are investigating an Aug. 9 shooting that resulted in the death of an 18-year-old.

Richard Bangura, a resident of Northeast, DC, was found in a vehicle suffering from a gunshot wound on the 2400 block of Franklin Street, NE.

Offices responded to a report of the shooting just before 7 p.m. Bangura was taken to a local hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries. He died on Aug.16.

There have been 20 homicide victims in Ward 5 so far in 2020, including Bangura, and he is the second victim from the block. According to D.C. Witness data, 17 of the homicides were from shootings, two were vehicular homicides and one was trauma done to an infant.

The department is offering a reward of up to $25,000 to anyone that provides information that leads to an arrest and conviction in this homicide or any other homicide in the District of Columbia. If anyone has information, please call the police at 202-727-9099. Anonymous information may be submitted to the Text Tip Line — 50411.

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Document: Traffic Accident in SE Neighborhood Turns Fatal

A traffic fatality on Aug. 15 killed a 54-year-old man who resided in Northeast, DC.

The Metro Police Department reported that Wayne Watkins, was operating a Ford Explorer at approximately 2:51 a.m. on the 2700 block of South Capitol Street, SE when he hit a rail that caused his vehicle to rollover.

DC Fire and Medical Services responded to the scene and pronounced Watkins dead before transporting him to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

Anyone who has knowledge of this incident should call police at 202-727-9099 or text a tip to the Department’s Text Ti[ Line — 50411.

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Judge Continues Three Cases

On Aug. 17, a DC Superior Court judge continued three defendants’ cases.

Deswon Franklin is charged with simple assault and second-degree theft for allegedly punching a victim and stealing an airpod case on May 27 on the 1000 block of Connecticut Avenue, NW.

Franklin’s attorney, Everald Thompson, said the prosecution has extended a plea offer and requested that the status hearing be continued.

Judge Robert Okun agreed, continuing the hearing to Sept. 1.

Ismael Hernandez is charged with simple assault and possession of a prohibited weapon for allegedly having a knife and assaulting and threatening a victim on the 3100 block of Mount Pleasant Street, NW on June 11.

At the request of defense attorney Miguel Serrano, Judge Okun scheduled a detention hearing for Aug. 26.

Cedric Moore is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction and assault with a dangerous weapon for allegedly shooting at a group of people who were walking in a crosswalk at the intersection of Alabama Avnue and 13th Street, SE on June 22.

Moore was scheduled to address an emergency bond review motion on Aug. 17. However, Judge Okun indicated that the case judge should preside over the matter.

Defense attorney Quo Judkins has reached out to Judge Michael O’Keefe’s chambers and will follow up to schedule a hearing.

Judge Sentences Defendant

On Aug. 17, a DC Superior Court judge sentenced a defendant after he entered into a plea agreement with the prosecution.

Tony Prunty pleaded guilty to contempt, second-degree theft, simple assault and attempted threats to do bodily harm.

As part of the plea deal, the prosecution dismissed three of his other cases, in which he was charged with unlawful entry onto private property, destruction of property less than $1,000, second-degree theft, attempted threats to do bodily harm and threats to kidnap or injure a person.

On March 22, Prunty, 29, threatened a CVS employee on the 1000 block of Connecticut Avenue, saying, “Bitch, I will punch you. I am martial law and I can take what I want,” according to court documents.

That same day, Prunty returned to an establishment on the 1200 block of 1st Street, NE, from which he had been ordered to stay away. He also pepper sprayed a victim on the 400 block of 14th Street, NW.

On April 10, he stole from a CVS on the 1200 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, NW and threatened an employee.

Prunty is homeless and has bipolar schizophrenia, according to his defense attorney Derrick Page. Page said the defendant self medicated with street drugs and alcohol, which he said “led to the sort of spiraling out of self-control.”

Page said he did not want to excuse his client’s actions, but said “I just want to keep all the judgements of him in the context of a young man who is on the street without the necessities that we may take for granted.”

Judge Robert Okun sentenced Prunty to 120 days, 60 of which were suspended, for attempted threats. He gave the defendant the same sentenced for each of his three simple assault charges and his second-degree theft charge.

Prunty’s sentences will run consecutive, but his probation will run concurrent for all the convictions.

Conditions of his probation include substance abuse assessments and a mental health screening and evaluation.

“I hope you are able to turn things around once you are released,” Judge Okun said.

This article was written by Andrea Keckley.

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