Sex Abuse Defendant Released After Prosecutor Delays Trial

By D.C. Witness Staff - November 9, 2022
Court | Daily Stories | Sex Abuse | Sexual Assault | Suspects | Victims |

With the delay of a sex abuse trial previously set for later in the month, DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee ordered the defendant be released under the high intensity supervision program (HISP) during a Nov. 8 hearing.

The 41-year-old defendant is charged with assault with intent to commit first-degree sexual abuse and assault with a dangerous weapon in relation to an incident on Aug. 18 on the 2300 block of of 4th Street, NE. According to court documents, the complainant and the defendant were with a group of friends smoking and drinking, at the complainant’s apartment, when they got in an argument and the defendant threatened her with a knife. He then tried to remove her underwear and told her to “sit on this dick.”

The case was scheduled for a jury trial on Nov. 28. However, the prosecutor informed Judge Lee that he would not be ready for trial and needed to hear from his office before moving forward.

He also said the defendant rejected a plea offer for one count of assault with a dangerous weapon, three counts of simple assault, and one count of misdemeanor assault on a police officer.The defendant allegedly resisted arrest and spat on one arresting officer, according to court documents.

 The plea agreement didn’t include any sexual offenses and would have guaranteed that no other charges would be brought against the defendant in relation to the Aug. 18 incident.

“We probably have to change his conditions of release,” the prosecutor said, asking for the defendant to be released from the DC Jail and put in HISP with an ankle monitor.

Defense attorney Donna Beasley said the defendant “is actually amenable to HISP.” The defense accepted the monitor and three stay-away orders, one for each of the two complainants and one for the location of the incident.

Judge Lee reminded the defendant that with the ankle monitor tracking his location, authorities would know right away if he were to violate the stay-away order for the incident location. 

He then vacated the trial date and set a felony status conference for next month.

The parties are scheduled to reconvene on Dec. 8.