Search Icon Search site

Search

Case Acquitted: Document: Police Arrest Suspect for Homicide

This case was acquitted on Nov. 15, 2023.

On July 6, officers from the Metropolitan Police Department arrested a suspect in connection to a homicide that occurred in May.

According to court documents, 25-year-old Michael Austin allegedly shot 26-year-old Kayvon Kinney on the 1800 block of Gainesville Street, SE. Kinney died on the scene.

Austin was arrested on a second-degree murder while armed charge. He is awaiting his initial hearing for the charge at DC Superior Court.

[documentcloud url=”http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6981937-7-6-20-Arrest-Made-in-a-Homicide-1800-Block-of.html” responsive=true]

Document: Police Arrest Suspect for Homicide

On July 6, officers from the Metropolitan Police Department arrested a suspect in connection to a homicide that occurred in May.

According to court documents, 25-year-old Michael Austin allegedly shot 26-year-old Kayvon Kinney on the 1800 block of Gainesville Street, SE. Kinney died on the scene.

Austin was arrested on a second-degree murder while armed charge. He is awaiting his initial hearing for the charge at DC Superior Court.

[documentcloud url=”http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6981937-7-6-20-Arrest-Made-in-a-Homicide-1800-Block-of.html” responsive=true]

Judge Gives Defendant More Time to Appear in Court

A DC Superior Court judge gave a defendant, who is currently a loss of contact, more time to appear in court before issuing a bench warrant for the defendant’s arrest.

Larry Davis was charged with second-degree burglary on June 1. Two days prior, a pizza shop employee noticed the store had been broken into. The employee checked security footage, which showed a person entering through an unlocked rear door at around 6 a.m. and stealing beer and food.

During the hearing, a prosecutor requested that Judge Robert Okun issue a bench warrant for Davis’ arrest.

However, Judge Okun decided to grant Davis additional time to appear before issuing a bench warrant.

Davis’ defense attorney, Thomas Lester, said the only notice his client would have received has only been in the mail for fewer than three full business days. 

Davis’ next court appearance is scheduled for July 16, which gives the defendant 10 days to receive a notice to appear. Judge Okun said that if Davis does not appear in court again, he will likely issue a bench warrant for the defendant’s arrest.

Davis was put on pretrial release with a stay away order and other unspecified conditions. However, a notice of non compliance was filed on June 26. Davis has been a loss of contact since June 20.

Judge Denies Prosecutor’s Request to Revoke Convict’s Probation

A DC Superior Court judge denied July 6 a prosecution’s request to revoke a convicted felon’s probation after several incidents of non compliance. The defendant has recently been in compliance with he terms of his release.

Eulis Knox pleaded guilty to attempted threats and attempted possession of a prohibited weapon and carrying a pistol without a license on June 24, 2019. He was initially charged with simple assault, attempted threats to do bodily harm and attempted possession of a prohibited weapon and carrying a pistol without a license outside of a home or business. 

Judge Robert Okun ultimately sided with Knox’s attorney, Brett Cohen, who said that Knox has remained in contact with his probation officer since June 4 and has recently come into compliance with the conditions of his probation. Judge Okun allowed Knox to continue with his probation in hopes that he will remain in compliance.

On March 28, he was sentenced to 30 months, only 14 of which he would have to serve behind bars. He was also given one year of supervised probation. 

Knox reportedly violated his probation a number of times since being released on Nov. 26, 2019. The prosecutor listed a series of violations that included a three month long loss of contact and a simple assault charge filed on June 9 when recommending that Knox’s probation be revoked.

The prosecutor took particular concern with the circumstances of the assault case, because Knox had a stay away order from one of the incident’s witnesses.

A representative from the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) deferred to the prosecution’s request for probation revocation.

Since probation officers were not seeing clients face-to-face at the time, she said Knox’s failure to stay in contact “does speak to his character when the only thing he had to do was call in.”

Knox is scheduled to return to court to reassess his compliance on Sept. 21. He is also slated to appear in court on Sept. 8 for a status hearing in his assault case.

Defense Receives New Hearing to Accept Deal

A DC Superior Court judge granted a defense attorney’s request July 6 for a hearing so his client can accept a plea deal from the prosecution.

Earl Britt was charged with second-degree burglary on May 4. That day, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers were dispatched to 5500 block of Colorado Avenue, NW for a burglary in progress.

DC Superior Court Judge Ronna Beck granted a hearing for July 22.

A witness saw the suspect break a glass door to a restaurant on the establishment’s security cameras. The person who reported the crime saw that a cash box was missing, according to court documents.

When canvassing the area, police officers observed the glass window to 4700 block of 14th Street, NW was also broken. Detectives, who arrived at the location saw a man who looked similar to the burglar on the security footage, the documents state.

Officers initially arrested Britt for burglary and destruction of property.

When processing the arrest, a MPD officer found that Britt’s DNA was a match with a blood sample found after a burglary that occurred Dec. 16 on the 3500 block of 14th Street, NW. He was charged with second-degree burglary for the incident as well. 

Judge Grants Another Continuance for Convict Undergoing Drug Treatment

A DC Superior Court judge agreed July 6 to hold a defendant’s hearing after his 28-day drug treatment program.

Amadu Fomah pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct and simple assault on May 8, 2019. He was sentenced to two years of probation on Nov. 8.

Upon confirming Fomah’s continued participation in the drug treatment program during the July 6 hearing, Judge Robert Okun granted another continuance so that he could complete it.

This is the second time Fomah’s hearing has been continued. On June 23, Judge Herrmann granted Fomah a continuance until July 6 so the court could confirm whether or not he remained enrolled in the program. However, she noted the convenient timing of his enrollment.

The court has filed three notices of non compliance since the start of his probation on March 30, April 8 and June 16. A hearing was held on June 23 to address the compliance issues, but Fomah failed to appear. 

Fomah is scheduled to return to court on Aug. 24.

Judge Found Defendant Competent to Stand Trial

A DC Superior Court judge found an assault defendant competent to stand trial.

Steven Jones was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon on Nov. 2, 2017. He is currently receiving mental health treatment at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s psychiatric institution.

Defense attorney Brandi Harden agreed that Jones is competent, but she asked that her client stop being forcibly medicated, saying “there’s no indication that he doesn’t wish to take the medication voluntarily.”

Harden also requested that Jones remain in the hospital to continue cognitive behavioral therapy.

Judge Michael Ryan granted both of her requests. 

Jones’ next hearing is scheduled for Aug. 7.

Defendant Denied Release

A DC Superior Court judge decided July 6 to not release a defendant who is awaiting trial.

Antonio McCoy was charged with assault on a police officer, theft, receiving stolen property, simple assault and attempted possession of a prohibited weapon on May 4. He allegedly stole items from an ambulance on the 600 block of Florida Ave, NE the day before.

DC Superior Court Judge Ronna Beck denied this request, but said she would consider releasing McCoy if the defense could show that he was accepted into a treatment program.

According to McCoy’s defense attorney, the defendant has agreed to go to an inpatient treatment facility once an appropriate program would accept him.

Court documents state that McCoy pointed a knife in an officer’s direction, while he ran away. 

Another MPD officer located McCoy in front of a building at 619 Florida Ave NE and arrested him.

Another hearing is scheduled for July 27.

Judge Continues Hearing for 3 Defendants

On July 6, a DC Superior Court judge continued a hearing for three co-defendants charged with armed carjacking.

Rob Smith, Marc Kirk and Jihad Johnson allegedly stole a car on the 1600 block of Fairlawn Avenue, SE On April 21. Smith, Kirk and Johnson are accused of pointing a handgun at the victim and demanding his car. The three then drove off in the vehicle, according to a press release from the police.

The victim contacted the Metropolitan Police Department and used his car’s tracking device to locate the defendants.

The defendants were charged with armed carjacking with a gun the day after the incident. Kirk was also charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle.

Both Kirk and Smith were released under the High Intensity Supervision Program on June 8 and June 30, respectively.

Johnson is still being held at DC jail. His attorney, Stephanie Johnson, filed a motion for her client’s release on May 11, citing the disproportionate rates of COVID-19 infections on Black men. Judge Michael O’Keefe denied the motion the next day, but Johnson’s attorney renewed the motion on July 6.

Judge Juliet McKenna continued the hearing for the co-defendants. Johnson will partake in an independent bond review hearing, which will be scheduled at a later date with Judge McKenna’s chambers.

Kirk’s release was also discussed during the hearing. A notice was filed on July 1. Judge McKenna admonished Kirk to comply with the curfew requirements in his HISP contract if he wants to remain released.

Smith was absent from the hearing. His attorney, Sabitiyu Abou, suggested that his absence could be due to the shifting of courtrooms before the hearing began.

All three co-defendants will appear in court again on Sept. 8 to discuss the status of their cases.

Judge Accepts Defendant’s Guilty Plea

A DC Superior Court judge accepted a defendant’s guilty plea for driving under the influence on July 6.

A Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer responded to a report of a vehicle collision on the 1400 block of Maryland Avenue, NE on March 3. Upon investigating the scene, the officer saw that Kelcy Sagsetter’s vehicle rear ended another vehicle.

The officer asked the defendant if she had consumed alcohol. She said she drank vodka with tonic water, according to court documents.

Documents also state that the defendant failed a series of sobriety tests.

Sagstetter entered into a deferred sentencing agreement with the prosecution.

As part of the agreement, she must complete a traffic alcohol program, community service hours, attend a victim impact panel and pay $100 fine. If she completes the requirements by her next court appearance, her guilty plea will be withdrawn and the case will be dismissed.

Sagsetter is scheduled to return to court on July 7, 2021.

Document: Three Deadly Shootings During Holiday Weekend in Southeast, DC

An 11-year-old boy, 20-year-old woman and a 36-year-old man were fatally shot in different areas of Southeast, DC over the Independence Day holiday weekend. 

On July 4, officers from the Metropolitan Police Department found 11-year-old Davon McNeal suffering from a gunshot wound on the 1400 block of Cedar Street, SE. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital. According to news reports, McNeal was hit by a stray bullet while enjoying July 4 festivities. 

Nearly an hour later, officers found 36 year-old Antonio Gardiner suffering from gunshot wounds on the 1500 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.  

The day before, on July 3, officers found 20-year-old Jordyn Simmons on the 1900 block of 18th Street, SE suffering from a gunshot wound. She was pronounced dead at a local hospital. Shortly after, officers found an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound. He was transported to the hospital for non-life threatening injuries.

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

[documentcloud url=”http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6981668-7-5-20-Homicide-1400-Block-of-Cedar-Street.html” responsive=true]

[documentcloud url=”http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6981673-7-5-20-Homicide-1500-Block-of-Pennsylvania.html” responsive=true]

[documentcloud url=”http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6981670-7-4-20-Homicide-1900-Block-of-18th-Street.html” responsive=true]


Defendant Pleads Guilty to GPS Tampering

A defendant pleaded guilty July 6 to GPS tampering for failing to charge his GPS monitoring device.

On Sept. 16, 2016, Joshua Clark was sentenced to a little more than three years for first-degree child sex abuse. He was also required to complete three years of supervised release after serving his sentence. As a condition of his release, Clark was required to wear a GPS monitoring device, which was installed on Oct. 25, 2019.

However, the defendant intentionally failed to charge his device on Nov. 13, 2019. He was charged with tampering with a detection device on Jan. 31. He has been held in jail since then.

DC Superior Court Judge James Crowell sentenced Clark to time served.

Help DC Police Find Suspects

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers are looking for suspects and vehicles connected to crimes throughout Washington, DC from May 30-July 5.

According to MPD press releases, police are searching for suspects and vehicles in connection to the following crimes:

Assault

MPD is searching for a person in connection with an assault  that occurred May 30 on the 1600 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.

On June 29, suspects fired gunshots in the direction of a victim on the 1400 block of Cedar Street, SE. The victim was not hit. 

On June 29, officers responded to the 4600 block of South Capitol Street, SW for a shooting victim. They found a conscious adult male suffering from gunshot wounds. Police are looking for a person and vehicle of interest featured below.

A suspect assaulted and tried to steal property from a victim on the 800 block of 4th Street, NW on June 29.

Police are also searching for suspects involved in an assault with a dangerous weapon  on the 4400 block of Benning Road, NE on June 30. A vehicle was damaged from gunshots. 

MPD is also seeking the public’s assistance in locating a black Toyota truck involved in an assault with a dangerous weapon that took place June 3 on the 700 block of Kennedy Street, NW. The truck has damage on the driver’s side front window, front and rear windshield and passenger side door. It was last seen with lllinois tags.

Robbery

Police are searching for suspects in connection with an armed robbery on the 5400 block of New Hampshire Avenue, NW on June 25. Suspects left the scene with the victim’s vehicle.

The MPD is searching for suspects involved in a robbery on the 700 block of Kenilworth Avenue, NE on June 30. Suspects stole a victim’s money.

Police are also requesting the public’s help in locating a suspect involved in a bank robbery June 30 on the 3500 block of Georgia Avenue, NW.

On July 3, a suspect, featured below, demanded money at gunpoint at a drive-thru business on the 2200 block of New York Avenue, NE. Police are also searching for the vehicle in the photo.

Burglary

Police are searching for a suspect connected to a burglary that occurred May 31 on the 3300 block of New Mexico Avenue, NW.

Police are also looking for suspects in connection to a burglary that occurred May 31 on the 1100 block of New York Avenue, NW.

Also on May 31, suspects broke into an establishment and stole property on the 3200 block of O Street, NW.


Suspects are wanted in connection to a burglary on the 1100 block of Vermont Avenue, NW on May 31.

Police are also seeking the public’s help located a suspect in a burglary that took place in the early hours of July 5 on the 1200 block of Gallatin Street, NW.

Destruction of Property

MPD is searching for a person of interest connected to a destruction of property offense that took place May 30 on the 800 block of 16th Street, NW. 

Police are also seeking the public’s help locating a person of interest in a destruction of property offense that occurred on the 1500 block of H Street, NW on May 31.

Carjacking

On June 21, suspects stole a person’s property and car by gunpoint on the 4100 block of 19th Street, NE.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VBxC5bS9MU&feature=youtu.be

Sexual abuse

MPD officers are searching for a suspect involved in a first-degree sexual abuse offense that occurred in the early hours of July 5 on the 1400 block of Perry Place, NW. The suspect is described as possibly being Hispanic, around 5’1’’ with black hair and around 40 years old.

Police request that anyone with information on these suspects or events contact the department at 202-727-9099. Tips can be sent to the department’s Text Tip Line — 50411.


Crime Alerts: July 5-6

Between 7 p.m. on July 5 and 7 a.m. on July 6, the Metropolitan Police Department sent out two crime alerts.

The most recent alert was sent at 4:27 a.m. for a shooting on the 5100 block of Southern Avenue, SE. Police do not have a description of the suspect.

The second alert was sent at 7:55 p.m. for a robbery investigation on the 1300 block of Kenyon Street, NW. Police are looking for two Black males, 14-15 years old. One is wearing a black shirt, and brown pants, and anther one is wearing a black shirt and blue pants.

Anyone with information on these events should call 911. Please do not take any other action.

Document: Police Arrest Man for Burglary

On July 4, officers of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrested a 23-year-old man for second-degree burglary.

The suspect allegedly broke into an establishment on the 1100 block of 10th Street, NW at approximately 10 a.m. the same day he was arrested. He fled the scene, without taking any property, when MPD officers confronted him.

The suspect was previously charged with carrying a pistol without a license, possession of narcotics and multiple DUI counts, resulting in his driver’s license being suspended.

[documentcloud url=”http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6981927-7-5-20-Arrest-Made-in-Burglary-Two-1100-Block-of.html” responsive=true]