Defendant Will Not Have to Serve Time in Jail

A defendant who pleaded guilty to attempted robbery and attempted possession of a prohibited weapon will not spend any time behind bars.

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt sentenced Kaliq Thorne to six months in confinement. The time was suspended, but Thorne was put on six months of supervised release and six months of probation.

Thorne was sentenced under the Youth Rehabilitation Act. He has no criminal history and has been compliant with his GPS monitoring requirements.

During the sentencing, Thorne apologized for his actions. “I want to do better for myself,” he said.

Thorne also expressed his intention to join the Navy.

As part of his probation terms, Thorne will have to either join the Navy or continue his education. He must also participate in the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency’s (CSOSA) Community Engagement and Achievement Center program, find a mentor and pay $150 to the Victims of Violent Crime Act fund.

This article was written Andrea Keckley

Judge Issues Warrant for Man on Probation

A man convicted of stealing merchandise from a Nike store failed to appear at his probation hearing on June 16.

Deshawn Jackson has been on probation with a stay away order from the store located on the 3000 block of M Street, NW, as well as instructions to obtain employment since August 2019.

He has also been under GPS monitoring and was required to resolve all outstanding warrants.

In September of 2019, Jackson was arrested for not reporting to his probation officer. He has not been in compliance with is probation ever since.

Judge Releases Defendant Charged with Assault Under HISP

A DC Superior Court judge released a defendant charged with assault with a dangerous weapon under the high intensity supervision program (HISP).

On May 11, Sa’quonda Smith allegedly swung a large knife multiple times at relatives. The incident resulted from a family disagreement when Smith, a resident of Baltimore, Md., was trying to pick up her three-year-old child from her mother-in-law. Smith was intoxicated at this time.

Defense attorney Winston Yallery-Arthur argued that the abrasions that resulted from the transgression were a result of attempted self-defense, not the attack itself.

But, the prosecution said it was a “miracle” the victims were not seriously injured.

Even though the victims said that they do not perceive Smith as a threat, the prosecutor said victims do not always have a clear perspective on their level of safety. The prosecutor said that Smith’s family’s love for her may have blurred their judgement.

Judge Ronna Beck released Smith with a stay-away order. She must maintain a 100-yard distance from the victims, their homes, and their jobs. She is also restricted from contacting them by any means.

The judge made one exception in the stay-away order. He allowed Smith to call her son on FaceTime. The child is currently under the functional custody of his paternal grandmother.

Smith successfully completed her two prior terms of probation in 2003 and 2010.

Smith is scheduled to appear in court again for another hearing on Sept. 28.

‘I’ve Completely Changed My Life,’ Defendant Says

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a woman convicted of robbery on July 17.

Aliyah Diggs pleaded guilty to attempted robbery. She was initially charged with robbery and attempted robbery for two incidents in May and October of 2019, respectively.

Judge Michael Ryan gave Diggs a six month in confinement. He suspended the time, which prevent her from needing to spend any time behind bars. He also sentenced her to one day (time suspended) of supervised release and 12 months of supervised probation.

As part of her probation, Diggs must get a mental health evaluation. She is also required to pay $100 to the Victims of Violent Crime Act fund.

The defendant was sentenced under the Youth Rehabilitation Act. The act would have only required community service, but Judge Ryan waved that requirement due to the circumstances with the COVID-19 pandemic.

The prosecution called Diggs a “respectful and intelligent young woman who has made a string of mistakes.”

“I completely changed my life around,” Diggs said. She told Judge Ryan that she is not the same person she was last year.

Judge Ryan said that if Diggs complies with the terms of her probation, he is willing to accept a motion to terminate the sentencing at six months.

“I wish you good luck, please do well,” he told her.

This article was written by Andrea Keckley

Defendant Pleads Guilty to Contempt of Court

A defendant pleaded guilty to contempt of court on June 17.

Dominique Jackson was charged with contempt of court after violating a civil protective order served to him on Oct. 19, 2017. The order was meant to limit contact between Jackson and a victim, while also requiring him to enroll in anger management counseling, which he failed to do.

Jackson and his defense attorney, Linden Fry, entered into a deferred sentencing agreement with the prosecution. The agreement states that Jackson must plead guilty to the contempt of court charge and enroll in 24 hours of online anger management counseling.

If Jackson is successful in completing the terms of the agreement within six months,, the prosecution will allow Jackson to withdraw his plea and dismiss the case.

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan accepted the deferred sentencing agreement.

Jackson is scheduled for sentencing on Dec. 17.

Defendant Sentenced for Weapons Charge

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a defendant who pleaded guilty to carrying a pistol outside a home or business while on release.

Judge Rainey Brandt sentenced Tumarcus Hawkins to 12 months with the time suspended, so he will not have to spend any time behind bars. He will also spend three years on supervised release and one year on probation.

As part of his probation, Hawkins, 23, must get his GED, receive mental health counseling as deemed necessary by the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) and maintain employment.

He must also pay $100 to the Victims of Violent Crime Act fund. Judge Brandt said Hawkins can apply for the Youth Rehabilitation Act at a later date.

Defense attorney Matthew Hertz has been working with Hawkins since July of last year. He said the defendant has been coming to him with questions and concerns as well as discussing his future plans.

A job is waiting for Hawkins when he leaves the jail.

“I think the time he spent in DC Jail scared him like nothing else,” Hertz said.

According to court documents, officers arrested Hawkins after seeing him try to dispose of a firearm with an extended magazine connected to it. Officers were investigating buildings in a residential area in Southeast, DC based on reports that the defendant was in possession of a gun.

Document: Police Arrest Man for 2nd-Degree Child Sex Abuse

An Upper Marlboro, Md. man was arrested on charges for child sex abuse on June 17.

On June 13, the 37-year-old suspect allegedly came into unwanted sexual contact with a 13-year-old female at approximately on the 4000 block of Benning Road, NE.

The suspect is currently waiting for his initial hearing at the DC Superior Courthous

[documentcloud url=”http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6950385-6-17-20-Arrest-Made-in-a-Second-Degree-Child-Sex.html” responsive=true]

Document: Arrest Made for Homicide in Brentwood

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department made an arrest for a homicide that occurred on June 6 on the 1300 block of Brentwood Road, NE.

According to a press release, police responded to a report of a shooting. Upon arrival they found 18-year-old Marquis Harrod, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He died on the scene.

On June 17, 24-year-old Micah Bidgell, a resident of Northeast, DC, was charged with second-degree murder while armed.

Bigdell is awaiting his initial hearing at the DC Superior Courthouse.

[documentcloud url=”http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6950370-6-17-20-Arrest-Made-in-a-Homicide-1300-Block-of.html” responsive=true]

Judge Sentences Defendant for Weapons Charge

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a defendant who pleaded guilty to carrying a pistol without a license outside of a home or business.

Judge Rainey Brandt sentenced Matthew Hooper to 12 months in confinement with all of the time suspended. He also received three years of supervised release and one year of probation.

As conditions of his probation, Hooper must receive mental health treatment as deemed necessary by the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA), participate in the Community Engagement and Achievement Center (CEAC) program, maintain employment and pay $100 to the Victims of Violent Crime Act fund.

Defendant Cannot Appear for Hearing

A defendant could not appear for her hearing June 17 due to technical difficulties and understaffing at the DC Jail.

Dwanna Cobbs is 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.

According to court documents, Cobbs felony charge of robbery occurred after she was barred from a McDonalds on the 1200 block of New York Avenue, NW. Cobbs allegedly stole cash from a person who was in line at the McDonalds. She also allegedly threatened a police officer.

Another hearing has been scheduled for June 24.

Crime Alerts: June 16-17

The Metropolitan Police Department sent out three crime alerts during the morning of June 17 and the evening on June 16.

Two alerts were sent out for shootings on the 3000 block of 30th Street, SE at 4:30 a.m. and on the 1300 block of Half Street, SW at 10:54 p.m. on June 16.

An alert for a robbery was also sent out at 1:15 a.m. on June 17. The incident occurred on the 600 block of 19 Street, NE.

Police do not have any descriptions available of potential suspects or the three crimes.

Judge Releases 7 Defendants During Initial Hearing

District of Columbia Superior Court Judge Sean Staples released seven out of 11 defendants during their initial hearings on June 16.

The prosecution dismissed two defendants’ cases, and both were ordered to be released.

Judge Staples only held two defendants.

Deangelo Johnson is charged with unarmed carjacking.

The judge held Johnson on the presumption of dangerousness due to the fact that he is being charged for a crime while on release for another case. He is being charged with simple assault in the other case.

Johnson is scheduled for a felony status conference on Aug. 7.

Carl Jones was the only other defendant who was held. He is charged with destruction of property of less than $1,000 in a domestic violence case and one count of contempt.

Jones has another domestic violence case currently open and has a record of attempted kidnapping from 2005 and unlawful possession of a firearm from 2009.

Judge Staples listed these former instances as the reason for holding Jones as he said that he does find Jones to be a danger to the public.

Jones has a status hearing scheduled for Aug. 7.

One defendant, charged with armed robbery, was released with a stay away order from the 3900 block of S Capitol St. SE.

The man had never been arrested before and has no prior convictions. He even turned himself in to the police with his mother and godfather by his side.

The defendant’s attorney noted that he has a very supportive family and graduated from high school in 2019 and holds a job.

Another man, charged with contempt and assault in a domestic violence case while violating his stay away order, was released by the judge with an order that he could only go back to the house to collect his belongings with a police escort.

Another man, charged with contempt and civil protection order violation, was released with a stay away order and an order to get mental health screening.

A woman was charged with cruelty to children and released with no stay away order. The judge ordered here to not have any abusive behavior to a 14-year old child in her life and to not use physical discipline with respect to the child.

Finally, two other men were charged with assault in domestic violence cases and both were released with stay away orders.

Crime Alerts: June 16

Between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. on June 16, the Metropolitan Police Department send out one crime alert in reference to a shooting.

At 3:41 p.m., the police sent out an alert for a shooting that occurred on the 3800 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE at 3:16 p.m. Police are looking for a blue vehicle.

Anyone with information on this shooting should call 911.

Defendant Enters Plea Deal

A defendant pleaded guilty to unlawful entry, bail violation and attempted threats to do bodily harm on June 16.

As part of the plea agreement, Teela Lott’s charges for simple assault and possession of an open container of alcohol were dismissed.

DC Superior Court Judge John McCabe sentenced Lott, 35, to nearly four months at the DC Jail. She has been held since March 3.

Judge McCabe also ordered Lott to pay $150 towards the Victims of Violent Crime Fund.

Judge McCabe deemed it unnecessary to put Lott on probation. He said it will be easier for Lott to adjust with fewer people to report to.

Lott has had a total of 25 cases before the court, 12 of which have occurred within the past two years. Much of her criminal history has stemmed from use of PCP, a hallucinatory drug, according to DC Courts.

Judge Finds Probable Cause for Unlawful Possession of Contraband in Prison

A DC Superior Court judge ruled June 16 that there was probable cause to charge a defendant with unlawful possession of contraband in a prison.

On Nov. 18, a correctional supervisor discovered a homemade shank made of steel and a cellphone under Martrel Reeves’ mattress. According to court documents, the phone contained evidence that it had likely been used by Reeves, including pictures of a Navy Federal Credit Union account under his name and a video of him holding, talking to and playing with a baby.

Reeves expressed reservations about his appearance in court. He said he did not want to be presented via telephone and was unaware of his court-appointed lawyer.

Judge Danya Dayson also set a $200 cash bail.

Reeves, 29, is also known as the DC-based rapper named Fat Trel.

He is scheduled to return to court on Aug. 6 for a felony status conference.

Search