Sex Abuse Defendant Placed in New Beginnings

By D.C. Witness Staff - September 29, 2020
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

On Sept. 29, a DC Superior Court judge transferred a child sex abuse defendant to a residential treatment facility. 

The 18 year-old defendant is charged with first-degree child sex abuse for allegedly using force to make a 10 year-old victim engage in a sexual act with him.

Defense attorney Jeffery Stein argued that, based on a psycho-evaluation, his client is better served going through a modified program at New Beginnings Youth Development Center. Stein asked Judge Juliet McKenna to allow the defendant to be placed in the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services’ (DYRS) custody so that he could participate in this modified program. 

Stein also said his client’s current confinement with the Youth Services Center (YSC) rates him at the highest level of behavioral cooperation. 

Stein said the defendant had been abused by family members and effectively left homeless, but had been doing well at YSC. 

The prosecution opposed the transfer arguing that this move seemingly puts the defendant on a path towards release. Because the defendant is charged with a violent felony involving the sexual abuse of a young child, the prosecutor argued that placement in the New Beginnings program would not be appropriate. 

She noted that New Beginnings programs usually last between six and 12 months. The modified program would see the defendant only spending three months with New Beginnings. 

Judge Juliet McKenna ruled that, while she did not want to release the defendant, she did agree with Stein that New Beginnings is a beneficial opportunity for the defendant. However, she did order the DYRS to give the court and parties at least 72 hours notice if the defendant’s detention status changes. 

Towards the end of the hearing, the defendant formally rejected a plea deal offered by the prosecution. The defendant’s next hearing is scheduled for Dec. 9.