Post-COVID, Data Shows Plea Offer Acceptances Increased by 92 Percent in 2024

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D.C. Witness data shows that plea agreements accepted between Jan. 1 and Oct. 12 this year as the pandemic receded, increased by 92 percent, in comparison to Jan. 1 through Oct. 18, 2023.

From Jan. 1 to Oct. 18, 146 plea deals were accepted — including 28 for homicide cases and 48 for non-fatal shooting cases — and 71 were rejected. Of the rejected plea offers, 21 were in relation to homicide cases and 22 were in non-fatal shooting cases.

That’s compared to the 2023 timeline where 76 plea deals were accepted — including 26 for homicide cases and 13 for non-fatal shooting cases — and 20 were rejected. Of the rejected plea offers, five were in connection to homicide cases and six were in non-fatal shooting cases.

This indicates a 92 percent increase in all plea agreement acceptances and a 308 percent increase in plea agreement acceptances in non-fatal shooting cases. Homicide plea agreement acceptances only increased by seven percent between 2023 and 2024.

The increase may in part be the result of resolving a pandemic-related case backlog.

“While the data indicates an overall post-COVID-19 return to normal criminal justice operations in
the District, it is crucial to consider the lingering effects of COVID-19,” according to an April report by the DC Sentencing Commission.

Notable examples of plea deal negotiations in 2023 and 2024 include:

On Feb. 7, Chanel Clinton, 28, accepted a deal to plead guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon for her involvement in a non-fatal shooting on Jan. 18, outside of a 7-Eleven on the 4800 block of Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenue, NE. One individual sustained injuries.

By pleading guilty, her other charge, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, was dismissed.

On April 22, DC Superior Court Judge Erik Christian sentenced Clinton to 5 years, with two years suspended, followed by a five year probation. In addition, she is required to serve three years of supervised release, undergo mental health evaluation and treatment and stay away from the victim.

On May 3, Tyree Sanders, 24, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed for his involvement in the fatal shooting of 34-year-old Michael McKinney on Sept. 17, 2023, on the 1200 block of Brentwood Road, NE.

Sanders was originally charged with first-degree murder.

DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein sentenced Sanders to 15 years in prison, with five years of supervised release on Oct. 9.

On May 14, Jaykell Mason, 22, rejected a second plea offer which would have reduced his charges to two counts of second-degree murder while armed and felony assault on a police officer while armed.

Mason is being charged with first-degree murder while armed and assault on a police officer while armed for his alleged involvement in the death of 29-year-old Terrance Dantzler on Feb. 13, 2020 on the 700 block of 8th Street, NW. Mason was taken into custody after an exchange of gunfire with MPD officers.

He is scheduled to go to trial in September of 2025.

On July 7, 2023, Delonta Stevenson, 28, and Vorreze Thomas, 26, rejected a plea deal that would require them to plead guilty to one count of second-degree murder while armed and two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon. If they accepted the plea, Stevenson would have to serve 27 years and Thomas would have to serve 15.

Both were convicted of conspiracy, first-degree murder while armed, two counts of assault with intent to kill, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, for their involvement in the fatal shooting of 32-year-old Terrance Allen. The incident occurred on Jan. 18, 2021, on the 3000 block of Stanton Road, SE, and left two other individuals suffering from gunshot wounds.

Stevenson was additionally convicted of two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm by a prior convict during offenses committed during release. Thomas was additionally convicted of carrying a rifle outside a home or business.

DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo sentenced Stevenson to 85 years in prison and Thomas to 53 years in prison.

On Sept. 6, 2023, Basil Thomas, 20, accepted a deal to plead guilty to one count of armed carjacking, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, robbery, and unlawful possession of a firearm. Thomas was originally charged with two counts of armed carjacking, one count of assault with a dangerous weapon, five counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and one count of carrying a pistol without a license for his involvement in two incidents, including a shooting on March 3 on the 4400 block of 8th Street, NE, and the 4800 block of North Capitol Street, NE.

DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo sentenced Thomas to 18 years on March 25, 2024.

On November 19, 2023, Demetrius Void, 36, was sentenced to six years of incarceration after accepting an agreement to plead guilty to one count of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.

Void was originally charged with first-degree murder while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon while armed, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm, and armed carjacking, for his involvement in fatal shooting of 24-year-old Anthony Lawson, on Sept. 25, 2018, on the 6200 block of Eastern Avenue, NE.