Defendant Accepts Plea Deal

A defendant accepted a plea deal and was sentenced to time served plus one year of supervised probation on June 24.

Dwanna Cobbs pleaded guilty to simple assault, destruction of property and second-degree theft. He was initially charged with robbery, simple assault, destruction of property less than $1,000, unlawful entry, second-degree theft, possession of an open container of alcohol and a bail violation on Oct. 5, 2019.

As part of the plea agreement, Cobbs’ robbery, unlawful entry, possession of an open container of alcohol and bail violation charges were dropped.

Judge Michael Ryan said that Cobbs’ main focus should be receiving mental health and drug treatment.

He also said that if Cobbs follows the conditions of her probation for three months by calling her probation officer once a week and receiving treatment, he will allow the remainder of her probation to be unsupervised.

Judge Releases Defendant Charged with Robbery

A DC Superior Court judge granted a robbery defendant’s request to be released while awaiting trial.

Richard Bennett is accused of robbing a man on the 300 block of Florida Avenue, NE on Feb. 6. Upon his arrest, police found his victim’s ID and multiple cards in his possession.

On June 24, the prosecution said Bennett may not be competent to stand trial, as reports from St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s psychiatric institution, suggested that he showed signs of paranoia. The prosecutor also warned against releasing the defendant due to his extensive criminal history, aggressive behavior towards hospital staff and the fact that he tested positive for the coronavirus.

Bennett’s defense attorney, Amy Philips, said her client is no longer contagious because he has most recently tested negative for the virus twice.

Philips argued for Bennett’s release, saying he acknowledges his mental health problems and is committed to seeking treatment. The treatment would be provided by Community Connections, a nonprofit health service in DC.

A representative from the organization confirmed Philips’ claims.

Philips then mentioned that Bennett’s mother would provide him with shelter and a job upon his release.

Bennett is a “very lucky man,” Judge Michael Ryan said, declaring the defendant competent to stand trial. Judge Ryan released Bennett on June 24.

Bennett’s next hearing is scheduled for Aug. 5.

Judge Decides to Keep Defendant in Psych Ward

A DC Superior Court judge decided June 24 that a defendant charged with robbery should stay in the psychiatric ward.

Gerald Rich is accused of robbing two construction workers on the 5000 block of F Street, SE on Dec, 13, 2019, and fleeing with an accomplice in a red Hyundai Kona SUV. He apparently robbed another construction worker the previous day just two blocks away.

The Department of Behavioral Health wanted Rich released from the psychiatric ward at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s psychiatric institution, and sent to jail. According to the department, Rich is a safety hazard to hospital staff and patients. Department physicians also found Rich competent to stand trial.

Defense attorney Corrine Schultz argued that Rich only became competent because he received involuntary medication at St. Elizabeth’s, citing the institution’s lack of legal authority to administer involuntary medication.

Judge Michael Ryan sided with the defense.

Rich’s next hearing is scheduled for July 27.

Judge Sentences Defendant to Six Months in Prison

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a defendant to six months in prison after his probation was revoked.

Keith McBride was charged with carrying a pistol outside a home or business in 2019 and unlawful possession of ammunition in 2017. He pleaded guilty to both charges on Feb. 6, 2019.

McBride was granted probation. However, he violated the terms of his probation. His probation was revoked and he was taken into custody on Feb. 20.

Judge Julie Becker said that McBride was given many chances to keep himself out of jail and, for that reason, he should serve time.

She sentenced him to time served for his 2017 case and six months for the 2019 case.

Judge Vacates Hearing for Defendant Charged in DV Case

A DC Superior Court judge cancelled a case’s preliminary hearing on June 24. A new date was set to review the case’s status.

The defendant is charged with assault with a firearm and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction in a crime of violence.

Counsel requested that a preliminary hearing he scheduled for May 29, 2021.

Hines is scheduled to appear for his next hearing on Aug. 6.

Crime Alerts: June 23-24

During the evening of June 23 through the morning of June 24, the Metropolitan Police Department sent out two alerts.

The most recent alert was sent at 12:08 a.m. for a robbery on the 900 block of Longfellow Street NW. Police are looking for 2 Black males wearing social distancing face mask that are blue in color.

Another robbery alert was sent at 10:35 p.m. for a robbery on the 3300 block of Benning Road, NE. A Grey 4-door 2016 Dodge Charger bearing Virginia tags 3442NT was taken. Police are looking for a Black male.

Anyone with information on the crimes should call 911. Please do not take any other action.

Judge Grants Continuation of Hearing After Defendant Fails to Appear

On June 23, DC Superior Court Judge Heide Herrmann granted defense counsel more time to get in contact with a defendant before issuing a bench warrant.

Wendell Poole was charged with distributing cocaine and released pending trial on March 18.

Poole’s defense attorney, Dan Harn, said it is very difficult to contact his client because he does not currently have a working phone number.

Poole has also not been in contact with the Pretrial Services Agency, but he has remained in contact with his probation officer.

Harn said he was not aware that the defendant was in contact with the officer until it was mentioned during the hearing.

Harn said Poole may not have appeared because he is awaiting transitional housing and has displayed no indication of disobeying his stay away order from co-defendant Devine Norman. Harn requested that the hearing be continued so he can have more time to contact Poole.

Judge Herrmann continued the hearing until July 9. She said that if Poole once again fails to be present, a warrant would be issued for his arrest.

Defense Attorney Requests to Reschedule Hearing

A defense attorney requested that his client’s hearing be rescheduled so he can meet with him beforehand.

Khamari Perkins, 19, is charged with the first-degree murder of Naseem Simpson, 18, who died from a gunshot wound March 26 on the 3000 block of 14th Street, NW.

Defense attorney Kevann Gardner told DC Superior Court Judge Julie Becker that he is scheduled to meet with Perkins on July 6.

Judge Becker scheduled a new hearing for July 8.

Judge Grants A Continuance to A Defendant in Drug Treatment

After several stays at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s psychiatric institution, a man was finally found competent to stand trial in March of 2019.

Amadu Fomah was convicted of three counts of simple assault, disorderly conduct and threat to kidnap or injure a person.

Fomah was released on probation in November of 2019 but did not stay in compliance with his probation requirements.

Fomah did not appear in court on June 23 for his probation show cause hearing.

His defense attorney, Nate Mensah, asked the judge to continue the hearing until July 27 as Fomah is currently enrolled in a 28-day drug treatment program and is unable to leave due to COVID-19 quarantine restrictions.

District of Columbia Superior Court Judge Heide Herrmann said she found it very convenient that Fomah enrolled in drug treatment program on the same day of his hearing.

It “seems like he could’ve come to court before he did that,” she said.

Fomah’s probation officer said the defendant is in need of residential treatment. The officer also mentioned that Fomah does not want treatment and is not admitting to using drugs, so it is unlikely that the current treatment will work.

According to the officer, Fomah already completed a 28-day drug treatment program in February, and that he went back to using drugs shortly after completing the program.

The prosecution testified against the bench warrant in this case, saying Fomah’s need for treatment and his program would be longer than the jail time he would receive if arrested.

Judge Herrmann granted a continuance until July 6 when she thinks it will be clear if Fomah is serious about getting treatment for his drug abuse issues.

Judge Issues Bench Warrant for Defendant with Mental Health Issues

A woman, who allegedly swung a knife at a person after trying to steal a pack of beer from a store, has a warrant out for her arrest.

Sonya Champ is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon.

Champ was released with a stay-away order, but has been a loss of contact with pretrial services since February.

On June 23, Champ’s defense attorney, Karen Minor, said Champ has a lot of acute mental health issues and that she got treatment from the Psychiatric Institute of Washington (PIW) several times over the last few months due to her issues.

Minor requested that pretrial services try to find Champ before the judge issued a bench warrant. Champ is not at PIW.

District of Columbia Superior Court Judge Heide Herrmann said it is clear that Champ needs mental health treatment and is not getting it, so she issued a no bond bench warrant for her arrest.

Judge Releases 14 Out of 18 Defendants During Initial Hearings

On June 23, District of Columbia Superior Court Judge Heide Herrmann held four defendants and released 14 defendants.

Of the 14 defendants released, three did not have charges filed against them by the prosecution.

Malcolm English was held on charges of assault, unlawful entry, attempted possession of a prohibited weapon and destruction of property. Judge Herrmann said she held him because of the seriousness of the charges and his criminal history.

Judge Herrmann also held Kareem Howard, who is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm. Police found a gun in a vehicle that Howard was seen leaving. The gun is allegedly a match for a gun that was fired on May 19.

Howard’s defense attorney argued that no fingerprint evidence has been found, and the gun was ever held by Howard. Nonetheless, the judge held him citing past criminal history.

Haile Wade, 39, is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction. He has also had multiple unlawful carrying charges in his criminal history.

Wade’s defense attorney argued against the facts of the charge, saying that the complaining witness argued with Wade right before giving thtold polices the gun in question was not kept on Wade’s person.

However, Judge Herrmann considered the weapon possession charge alongside Wade’s criminal history, and decided to hold him. She also told Wade’s attorney to file a medical alert for a suicide watch for Wade.

Adrian Proctor was held on charges of carjacking and attempted carjacking due to his criminal history. His co-defendant was released by the judge due to his lack of criminal history.

A defendant was released who was charged with being a fugitive from Maryland, and the prosecution was in agreement with his release.

Four misdemeanor defendants were also released, two of which had stay-away orders.

Four domestic violence defendants were released with stay-away order.

Ten Hearings Rescheduled

Ten hearings that were supposed to happen on June 23, but they were rescheduled for Sept. 8.

Edward Drake-James, James Lee, Jendai Robinson, Daninccio Evans, James Newton and James Woods were scheduled for status hearings. More information on all defendants is classified either due to involvement in domestic violence cases or contact with persons who filed civil protection orders against them.

Drake-James is charged with simple assault, unlawful entry and destruction of property less than $1,000. Lee and Woods are charged with simple assault. Jendai is charged with attempted stalking.

Evans is charged with destruction of property less than $1,000 and unlawful entry on private property. Newton is charged with violating a civil protection order.

Jose Crisostomo-Herrera was supposed to have a sentencing for his simple assault charge.

A defendant charged with contempt of a civil protection order, was scheduled for an arraignment.

Leroy McGill and Mohamed Sesay were scheduled to have non-jury trials. McGill was charged with simple assault and Sesay was charged with violating a civil protection order.

Bench Warrant Issued for No-Show Defendant

DC Superior Court Judge Heide Herrmann issued a bench warrant for a defendant who failed to appear in court on June 23.

Herman Smith pleaded guilty to attempted robbery on March 15, 2019. He was given a two year suspended sentence and three years of probation.

According to records, Smith has had trouble complying with the terms of his probation since his sentencing. As of May 14, Smith officially lost contact with the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency.

Judge Gives Defense More Time to Review Plea

Two co-defendants received more time to review a plea offer from the prosecution on June 23.

Antonni Flores and Ryan Harding were charged with second-degree burglary on April 10. The co-defendants entered a residence and stole a vacuum cleaner and bicycle while multiple residents were present in the building.

The prosecution presented plea offers for each defendant prior to the preliminary hearing on June 23. Harding’s offer proposes that the prosecution would not indict him for any additional charges stemming from the burglary.

Additionally, the prosecution said they would dismiss one of Flores’ contempt of court charges and that he would receive a maximum sentence of 90 days for a separate contempt of court charge.

Flores and Harding’s defense attorneys, Henry Escoto and Raymond Jones, requested two or three weeks to review the terms of the plea offer. DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz granted the defense’s request.

After the request had been granted, the co-defendants asked to be released from DC Jail. The defendants mentioned a lack of medical care and sanitation in the jail, citing ignored requests for medical treatment.

Judge Kravitz proposed filing medical alerts for both defendants after Harding explained his lack of treatment for glaucoma and Flores explained his ignored requests for treatment of a bump he had gotten on his chest.

Judge Kravitz also set a separate hearing to evaluate Flores and Harding’s request for release.

The release request and the plea offer are scheduled to be addressed on July 14.

Judge Doesn’t Release Man Charged With Violating Protection Order

A DC Superior Court judge denied June 23 a release request from a man charged with contempt.

Alexander Day is accused of violating a civil protection order while he was released by contacting a witness from whom he was ordered to stay away.

Judge Maribeth Raffinan agreed with the Department of Behavioral Health’s assessment that the defendant is not mentally competent but also does not qualify for hospitalization at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC psychiatric hospital.

Judge Raffinan cited Day’s criminal history, including multiple counts of unlawful entry, assault and destruction of property.

She ordered that Day receive a full competency assessment in jail within 30 days.

Day’s next court appearance is scheduled for July 21.

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