A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a hearing for a defendant charged with carrying a pistol without a license and assault with a dangerous weapon.
Amadee Blakney, 26, is accused of firing shots at a member of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) who made contact with him on May 31 on the 4400 block of Livingston Road, SE.
Judge Danya Dayson scheduled his preliminary hearing for Aug. 20 to determine if the case has enough evidence to go to trial.
On July 31, a DC Superior Court judge held a defendant who allegedly violated his pretrial release conditions.
Mark Anthony, who is also known as Huber Frescas, is charged with stalking, unlawful entry onto private property and destruction of property less than $1,000. He is accused of breaking into a victim’s home on the 4900 block of 1st Street, NW in the early morning hours of June 20 after having stalked her since May 9.
Anthony, 39, was arrested again and detained in DC Jail for this case since July 16.
The defendant allegedly violated a stay away order by appearing outside the victim’s window, expressing anger with her for his arrest.
Defense attorney Gregg Baron argued for his client’s release, saying that the defendant has a place to stay in Maryland and is relatively confident he can gain employment at a construction company. He also argued that Anthony’s time in detention helped him understand the consequences of his actions.
However, Judge Jonathan Pittman denied Baron’s request.
“In this case, a stay away is absolutely critical and he just ignored it,” Judge Pittman said.
Anthony’s next court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 1.
On July 31, a defendant charged with carrying a pistol without a license entered into a Deferred Sentencing Agreement with the prosecution.
Alexander Alvarez, 31, was initially charged with carrying a pistol without a license outside of his home or business for having a pistol in his vehicle near the White House on Jan. 4, 2019.
Alvarez pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of attempting to carry a pistol without a license. In return, the prosecution agreed to dismiss any remaining or outstanding charges associated with the case.
If Alvarez complies with conditions outlined in the agreement, his guilty plea will be withdrawn and his case dismissed.
Alvarez has six months to complete the requirements of the agreement, which include complying with a stay away order from the White House and completing 48 hours of community service. He is permitted to do his community service in Texas, where he currently lives.
Alvarez must not pick up any new charges.
Judge Judith Smith facilitated the proceedings and scheduled a sentencing hearing for Jan. 29, 2021. Alvarez’s attorney, Justin Okezie, said that both parties have agreed to waive Alvarez’s presence at the sentencing hearing if he successfully completes the terms of the agreement.
A DC Superior Court judge issued a bench warrant for the arrest of a defendant who is a loss of contact and did not show up to his July 31 hearing.
Tyree Stanley, 26, is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers say they found a handgun wedged in the steering wheel of a car when they pulled the defendant over on June 3 on the 900 block of Ingraham Street, NW.
Stanley also failed to appear in court on July 27. During that hearing, Judge Julie Becker denied the prosecution’s request for a bench warrant and continued the case to allow him another opportunity to appear.
Anthony Smith, Stanley’s attorney, told Judge Becker he did not know where his client was. Smith said he had made several attempts to contact him, including appearing at his family’s home, to no avail.
On July 29, DC Superior Court Judge Judith Smith issued a bench warrant for the arrest of a defendant who has been a loss of contact since June.
Tavante Robinson pleaded guilty to unauthorized use of a vehicle and fleeing a law enforcement officer on April 2, 2019. He was given two concurrent sentences of one year of incarceration, which were suspended. He also received three years of supervised release, which were all suspended. The defendant will have to serve one year of probation. His sentence was passed under the guidelines of the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA.)
A report filed in December of 2019 indicated that Robinson was in full compliance with the conditions of his probation. However, he has received two notices of noncompliance since May.
A Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) representative said Robinson’s violations include a recent arrest. CSOSA has not been in contact with Robinson since June.
Stephany Reeves, who was standing in for Robinson’s attorney Lillian Fabela Miller, was also unaware of the defendant’s whereabouts.
A DC Superior Court judge issued a bench warrant for the arrest of a defendant after his attorney said he could not bring him to court any other way.
Melvin Rivera, 47, was supposed to appear in court on July 31. He is charged with unlawful entry onto private property, simple assault, possession of an open container of alcohol and bail violation in four cases. In two of his cases, he was found at a location from which he was previously barred by the court.
Rivera successfully completed a substance abuse treatment program in May. Afterwards, he became a loss of contact with the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA.)
Defense attorney Damon Catacalos did not know the location of his client, who is homeless.
Judge Julie Becker asked Catacalos if he thought he could potentially get in touch with his client and compel him to come to court without the need for a bench warrant.
“In all honesty, no,” he said.
Judge Becker issued a bench warrant in all four of Rivera’s cases.
A DC Superior Court Judge determined that a defendant was in compliance with his pretrial release conditions.
Deare Benny, 32, is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm after Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers found a firearm among his belongings on June 12. Police say Benny fled after they approached him for suspicion of operating a prohibited vehicle in a public space on the 2500 block of Alabama Avenue, SE. After the defendant was stopped, officers found a firearm in a fanny pack that he had discarded during the chase.
Benny was released on June 31. However, he failed to get in touch with the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA.)
Benny’s attorney, Charles Murdter, said the defendant’s lack of contact has since been addressed. Murdter told Judge Julie Becker that he initially received an incorrect number for his client, but after getting in touch with him, Benny contacted the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA.)
Benny did not show up to the July 31 hearing, but Murdter said this was due to his own miscommunication with his client.
He said Benny is currently in Tennessee with his family because their conversation had led him to believe that his presence in court was not necessary.
In addition to continuing the pretrial show cause hearing, Judge Becker also told Murdter to compel his client to take care of an outstanding warrant from Prince George County, Md. The warrant is in relation to a first-degree assault charge from June 10.
Benny’s next court hearing is scheduled for Aug. 25.
On July 31, DC Superior Court Judge James Crowell released 21 defendants and held two defendants in DC Jail.
Of those released, two did not have charges filed against them by the prosecution and one was given a citation and released.
Judge Crowell held a defendant who was charged with assault on a police officer.
Michael Cole allegedly wrestled, pushed and said “f*** you” to Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers while they were attempting to settle a dispute at David’s Tent, which is located on the National Mall, on July 30.
Cole said he would not be willing to follow Judge Crowell’s order to stay away from David’s Tent. “That is a church and they are on federal property,” he said. Cole then suggested the judge was trying to kick him out of DC.
Judge Crowell ordered that the defendant receive an inpatient mental health screening due to his behavior in the courtroom.
Another defendant, who was charged with unlawful entry, destruction of property, second-degree theft and contempt in a domestic violence case, was also held.
Judge Crowell cited the defendant’s three pending cases, two of which involved domestic violence with the same victim, as reason to hold him. Judge Crowell also said the defendant will not follow court orders, as indicated by two bench warrants that were executed for his arrest earlier this year and his violation of a stay away order.
There were eight additional domestic violence cases. Six defendants were released with either stay-away or no harassment, assaultive, threatening or stalking (HATS) orders towards the victims. One of the defendants was released into the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) and served with a Temporary Protective Order (TPO).
One defendant was charged with being a fugitive from justice. She is wanted in Maryland for assault. Judge Crowell released her with orders to turn herself in to Maryland authorities immediately.
Four felony cases were presented before the judge involving unlawful distribution of a hallucinatory drug known as PCP, possession of PCP, second-degree burglary and armed robbery.
Two of the defendants were released with orders to report to the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA), while the two charged with the robbery and burglary crimes were both released with a GPS monitoring device and given stay-away orders.
Five additional misdemeanor cases were heard by Judge Crowell. Three of the defendants have charges involving assault while the other two have multiple charges. Four defendants were given stay-away orders.
A defendant, charged with second-degree theft, was still in the hospital, so Judge Crowell moved his hearing to Aug. 1. The defendants presentment hearings have been pushed back since July 23.
DC Superior Court Judge John McCabe revoked a defendant’s pretrial release in three domestic violence misdemeanor cases due to noncompliance reports and a felony arrest.
The defendant has been held since July 16 after he was arrested, while on pretrial release, for assault with a dangerous weapon.
The July 29 hearing was held to address his alleged violation reports with pretrial release, which were filed on June 9, July 2 and July 10.
The defendant, 43, is charged with destruction of property less than $1,000, assault with a dangerous weapon, violation of a Civil Protection Order (CPO) and violation of a Temporary Protection Order (TPO).
“He is somebody who is in need of multiple visits a week with mental health services,” said defense attorney Sean Coleman. “Jail will not get him better.”
Coleman said prior to the pandemic, the defendant met with a caseworker three times a week to discuss his mental health issues.
The prosecution requested that the defendant’s release be terminated, citing his long criminal history.
“To my count he has 15 priors, many of which are violent,” said the prosecution.
A Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) officer said the defendant violated a stay away order for three minutes on July 1 and four hours on July 3.
The prosecution read a victim impact statement, which said “the stress of not knowing whether or not [the defendant] will show up at her doorstep has deteriorated her health conditions.”
Coleman said there is no evidence that his client had any contact with the victim. He said the defendant, who was only in the area to take a bus near his house, did not realize he was violating the stay away order.
The officer said the defendant was “verbally abusive” and “extremely aggressive” during a meeting to discuss his stay away violations.
The defendant apologized for his actions towards the officer. He said that, while not an excuse, he only acted out because he was concerned about getting to his first day of work on time.
The officer also said that the defendant got his GPS monitor installed on June 18, which is 13 days later than he was supposed to.
On July 15, someone called 911 because they were concerned about the defendant, who had been lying unconscious on the ground.
A D.C. Fire and Emergency Services dispatcher arrived to treat the defendant on the 4200 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE. However, when he became alert, he said “get the f*** off of me,” flipped out a knife and chased the dispatcher around with it.
According to court documents, the defendant appeared to be under the influence of a mind-altering substance during the offense.
The defendant’s next hearing is scheduled for Aug. 18.
The Metropolitan Police Department announced several arrests in recent robbery cases in DC.
A 14-year-old juvenile male and a 15-year-old juvenile male were arrested on July 28 for a robbery (force and violence) that occurred on July 6 on the 100 block of Uhland Terrace, NE.
A 15-year-old juvenile male was arrested on July 29 for a robbery (fear) that occurred on July 27 on the 100 block of U Street, NE.
36-year-old Tashima Barnes was arrested on July 27 for a robbery (force and violence) on the 1300 block of Fairmont Street, NW.
19-year-old Avante Greene was arrested on July 29 for a robbery snatch that occurred on June 11 on the 3800 block of Georgia Avenue, NW.
A 16-year-old juvenile male was arrested on July 29 for an assault with intent to commit robbery that occurred on June 10 on the 1300 block of Upshur Street, NW.
A 15-year-old juvenile male was arrested on July 29 and charged with five offenses that all occurred on July 25 and July 27. The first offense, armed robbery of an establishment, occurred on the 3400 block of 14th Street, NW.
The second offense, armed robbery (gun), occurred on the 7400 block of 7th Street, NW. The third offense, armed robbery (gun), occurred on the 6600 block of Piney Branch Road, NW.
The fourth offense, armed carjacking (knife), occurred on the 600 block of Columbia Road, NW. The fifth offense, armed robbery (knife), occurred on the 600 block of Irving Street, NW.
A 17-year-old juvenile male of Maryland was arrested for an assault with intent to rob while armed offense that occurred on the 1300 block of Brentwood Road, NE on July 24.
Two 15-year-old juvenile males and a 16-year-old juvenile male were arrested for a robbery (force and violence) on the 600 block of Edgewood Street, NE on July 27.
22-year-old Kevonte Randall was arrested for armed robbery (gun) that occurred on July 21 on the 200 block of Newcomb Street, SE.
[documentcloud url=”http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/7012669-7-31-20-Arrests-Made-in-Robbery-Offenses.html” responsive=true]
Between 9 p.m. on July 30 and 9 a.m. on July 31, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out two crime alerts.
The most recent alert was sent at 4:32 a.m. for a shooting that occurred at 3:55 a.m. on the 4100 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE. Police are looking for a Black male wearing a ski mask and a Hispanic male wearing a ski mask.
The second alert was sent at 3:38 a.m. for a confirmed shooting that occurred on the 2400 block of Alabama Avenue, SE. Police are looking for two males wearing ski masks.
If anyone has information about these shootings, please call 911.
The Metropolitan Police Department sent out one crime alert during the day on July 30.
At 2:52 p.m., the police department sent out an alert for a shooting on the 5100 block of Banks Place, NE. Police are looking for a black male who is wearing a white shirt, blue jeans and white shoes. The suspect was last seen occupying a black crossover SUV with a silver grill.
