District of Columbia
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
KDY Crew Member Sentenced to 16 Years in Prison for Violent Crime Spree Involving Multiple Carjackings and Armed RobberiesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Azriel Ethan Echavarria, 22, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 192 months in prison for committing a string of armed carjackings and violent armed robberies with two co-defendants in the District and Suburban Maryland during 2022.
The sentencing was announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police (MPD); ATF Special Agent in Charge Craig Kailimai of the Washington Division, Special Agent in Charge David J. Scott of the FBI Washington Field Office's Criminal and Cyber Division, DEA Special Agent in Charge Jarod Forget, of the Washington Division, Chief Malik Aziz of the Prince George’s County, Md., Police Department, and Chief Marcus G. Jones, of the Montgomery County, Md., Police Department.
Echavarria pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court on January 26, 2024, to conspiracy to interfere with interstate commerce, also known as a Hobbs Act robbery; conspiracy to commit carjacking; and armed robbery. In addition to the 16-year prison term, the Honorable Beryl A. Howell, ordered Echavarria to serve 60 months of supervised release.
According to court documents, Echavarria admitted to personally participating in the armed robberies of six individuals, five businesses and/or their employees, and two armed carjackings during the first three months of 2022.
One of Echavarria’s co-conspirators, Tyrell Jordan Stewart, 26, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced to 15 years in prison on January 12, 2024, after pleading guilty in the same spree of carjackings and violent armed robberies.
According to the government’s evidence, Echavarria and his co-defendants are members of the Kennedy Street Crew or KDY, a violent street gang that operates in the Kennedy Street neighborhood in Northwest Washington, D.C. KDY is among the largest crews in the District based on both territory and its vast membership.
The prosecutions of Echavarria and his co-conspirators are part of an ongoing coordinated law enforcement investigation into the Kennedy Street Crew, also known as “KDY.” The multi-year investigation reflects the efforts of nearly every federal law enforcement agency in the District of Columbia, along with the Metropolitan Police Department’s Violent Crime Suppression Division.
The above efforts are part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
The case is being investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office, the Metropolitan Police Department, the Montgomery County, Md., Police Department and the Prince George’s County, Md., Police Department, and ATF’s Washington Field Division.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew W. Kinskey and Sitara Witanachchi and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Coley of the Violence Reduction and Trafficking Offenses Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. Valuable assistance was also provided by former Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Lynch.
FBI Arrest Maryland Man Following Indictment on Charges of Distribution of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Joseph Ruben Baer, 20, of Silver Spring, Maryland, was taken into custody today following an indictment charging him with distribution of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, FBI Special Agent in Charge David J. Scott, of the Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Division, and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
According to the indictment, unsealed today, on April 18, 2024, Baer distributed video files depicting the sexual exploitation of minor boys via a social media communication application.
In early 2024, a member of the FBI–MPD Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force was monitoring an online application in an undercover capacity. Law enforcement has come to learn that the application is used by some individuals who have a sexual interest in children. The undercover agent encountered Baer, who sent a message believing he was communicating with a pedophile. Baer expressed an interest in the sexual exploitation of prepubescent boys and later sent the undercover agent two video files via a social media communication application. Those video files depicted Baer masturbating while watching child pornography on a laptop computer. On April 25, 2024, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Baer with one count of distribution of child pornography. The case is assigned to the Honorable Loren L. AliKhan.
Earlier today, law enforcement executed a search warrant at two residences connected to Baer in Silver Spring, Maryland, and arrested him in the District of Columbia. Baer made his initial appearance in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia and has been ordered held without bond pending trial.
Distribution of child pornography carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years’ imprisonment and a statutory maximum of 20 years’ imprisonment. The statutory sentences for federal offenses are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes. Any sentence will be determined by the Court based on the advisory Sentencing Guideline and other statutory factors.
The case is being investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office and MPD’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland and the U.S. Marshals Service. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul V. Courtney of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Jury Finds District Man Guilty of First-Degree Sexual Abuse of a 13-Year-OldRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON –Damion Brown, 33, of Washington, D.C., has been found guilty by a jury on ten felony charges, including first-degree sexual abuse and first-degree child sexual abuse, for sexually abusing the 13-year-old daughter of his long-time girlfriend in February of 2023, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
The verdict was returned on May 7, 2024, following a trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The Honorable Anthony Epstein scheduled sentencing for July 12, 2024. Brown faces a maximum sentence 36 years in prison for the crimes.
According to the government’s evidence, on February 24, 2023, the 13-year-old victim was home alone with the defendant, who was the victim’s mother’s live-in boyfriend. While the victim was changing clothes, the defendant came into her room and began hugging and kissing her and pushed her onto her bed. The defendant performed a number of sexual acts on the child, then left the room laughing. The victim immediately left the apartment and reported to her aunt, who called the police. The defendant was still in the apartment when police arrived.
Subsequent DNA testing determined that the defendant could not be excluded from the positive results of DNA found on the victim after the abuse.
This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department.
This case was prosecuted by the Assistant U.S. Attorney’s Sarah Folse and Robert Platt.
Member of Southeast DC Crew Sentenced to 90 Months for Distributing Fentanyl and Possessing a Machine GunRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Earl Isaac III, of Washington D.C., was sentenced today to 90 months in prison in connection with possessing a Glock firearm with a machine gun conversion device, narcotics trafficking, and related counts, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves, Special Agent in Charge Craig Kailimai of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Washington Field Division, and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Isaac, 21, also known as “Frontline,” pleaded guilty on January 9, 2024, before U.S. District Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly to four counts: (1) unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon; (2) unlawful possession with intent to distribute marijuana; (3) unlawful possession with intent to distribute fentanyl; and (4) using, carrying, and possessing a firearm during a drug trafficking offense. In addition to the prison term, Judge Kollar-Kotelly ordered Isaac to serve five years of supervised release.
According to the government’s evidence, police executed a search warrant at a residence on Stanton Road SE on June 1, 2023. Under a bathroom sink, police found a .40 caliber Glock firearm, outfitted with a machine gun conversion device, and loaded with a high-capacity magazine that contained 21 rounds of ammunition. Police also found more than 100 small, round, blue pills inscribed with “M30” throughout the premises that were determined to contain fentanyl; 2.68 kilos of marijuana; and $2,020 in cash in the front left pocket of Isaac’s jeans.
Isaac previously was convicted in 2022 for carrying a pistol without a license and sentenced to a 14-month suspended prison term under the Youth Rehabilitation Act with a one-year probationary term in D.C. Superior Court, which was later revoked.
Isaac’s social media account showed that Isaac advertised marijuana for sale, sold marijuana and fentanyl, and posed with marijuana and the money he had earned from drug sales.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) with valuable assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration. It is being handled by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Coley and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Sellinger. Valuable assistance was provided by former Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jordan Leiter and Assistant U.S. Attorney Sitara Witanachchi.
Maryland Career Offender Sentenced to 14 Years for Leading Fentanyl Distribution Ring and Using Stolen Identities to Fleece State Unemployment Insurance ProgramsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Collin Edwards, 29, of Largo, Maryland, was sentenced today to 168 months in prison for leading a group involved in manufacturing counterfeit oxycodone pills mixed with fentanyl and for using stolen personal identifying information (PII) to file fraudulent unemployment insurance claims that netted more than $250,000, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, FBI Special Agent in Charge David J. Scott of the FBI Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Division; and Special Agent in Charge of the National Capital Region Troy W. Springer, of the U.S. Department of Labor - Office of Inspector General.
Edwards, also known as “Chills,” pleaded guilty on November 9, 2023, in U.S. District Court in the District of Columbia to a felony charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 400 or more grams of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl and a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine. Edwards admitted that he, and the members of his conspiracy, were accountable for producing and distributing at least 1.2 kilograms of a mixture containing a detectable amount of fentanyl. Edwards also pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft.
In addition to the 14-year in prison term, U.S. District Judge Amit P. Mehta ordered Edwards to serve five years of supervised release. Edwards previously agreed to forfeit $100,000.
According to court documents, this case began with the June 21, 2021, discovery of a make-shift drug lab in in Laurel, Maryland. In August 2021, law enforcement began investigating Edwards and others and learned that the group was running a fentanyl pill pressing operation in and around Washington, D.C., and Maryland, renting apartments with stolen identities, for the purpose of manufacturing and distributing these counterfeit pills. Edwards and six others were identified as participants in the drug trafficking operation.
Law enforcement identified another apartment Edwards and the group were renting in a fictitious identify, this time, a high-end luxury apartment located in the Navy Yard area of Washington, D.C. On Mar. 29, 2022, the FBI executed a search warrant at the apartment with Edwards present and seized baggies of pills and loose powder, together amounting to more than 516 pills and more than 76 grams of a mixture and substance containing fentanyl.
During the search of the apartment, authorities seized Edwards’ cellphone. The phone contained countless text message conversations with other drug traffickers discussing pill sales in the hundreds and thousands. On May 15, 2020, for example, Edwards wrote to an unknown contact, “I’m over here counting out 5000 pills bro. Hold on.” Edwards wrote co-conspirators on a regular basis to discuss the strength of the pills, the supply, and pricing. He also openly discussed moving an industrial pill press from the Laurel apartment to his girlfriend’s father’s home in Annapolis, Maryland following the discovery of the drug processing lab in Laurel.
The FBI also located troves of text messages between Edwards and others laying out a scheme to commit wire fraud involving unemployment insurance fraud. Edwards obtained database documents containing personal identifying information (PII) for hundreds of victims. The documents contained birthdates, social security numbers, home addresses, e-mail addresses, and past phone numbers. Edwards used this stolen PII to apply online for unemployment insurance benefits in victims’ names. Edwards caused pre-loaded debit cards in victim names to be sent to the homes of his associates and family members. He then retrieved the cards and withdrew funds at ATM locations around the DMV area. Edwards admitted that he and other co-conspirators illegally netted at least $250,000 through the scheme. Most victims had no knowledge that their identity had been used to apply for unemployment benefits.
Edwards was arrested in downtown Baltimore on October 20, 2022, a month after evading capture following a high-speed car chase.
Edwards has multiple prior convictions for drug offenses and armed robbery. According to court documents, one prior conviction stemmed from a gun-point robbery where Edwards and a co-conspirator threatened to blow a victim’s head off in his own apartment. Edwards was on supervision for that offense while committing the crimes in this case.
Edwards is the last defendant to be sentenced in this investigation.
- On June 23, 2023, Chase Cole was sentenced to twelve months and one day of incarceration
- On October 13, 2023, Garnell Lucas was sentenced to 72 months of incarceration.
- On December 15, 2023, Tyron Waters was sentenced to 70 months of incarceration.
- On January 12, 2024, Laura Garvin was sentenced to 24 months of incarceration.
This case was investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office and the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of the Inspector General. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Rosenberg of the Fraud, Public Corruption, and Civil Rights Section with the assistance of former Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah J. Rasalam and Marnee Rand of the Violence Reduction and Trafficking Offenses Section.
District Man Sentenced to Prison for Hardware Store Break-inRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Earl Britt, 60, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 36 months in prison for burglarizing the W.S. Jenks & Sons Hardware store on February 12, 2024. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). Britt pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree burglary in March 7, 2024, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.
According to the government’s evidence, on February 12, 2024, at approximately 9:05 p.m., MPD officers responded to the report of a burglary at the W.S. Jenks & Sons Hardware store located at 910 Bladensburg Rd, NE. When officers arrived, they observed that the front glass window pane of the store had been shattered. A man walking his dog in the area at the time of the break-in reported seeing a man break the window to the store and gave a description of the man to the officers. The store manager, who had received an alert on his phone when Britt broke into the store, was able to provide footage from the surveillance video to law enforcement. Surveillance video from the store showed a man, matching Britt’s description, destroying the store’s glass windowpane with a cinder block and crawling inside of the broken window into the store. The video further captured the defendant jump behind the counter where the register is located and begin to open and search the register drawers for cash. A short time later, Britt is seen leaving the store through the same broken window where he entered and fled on foot along Bladensburg Rd NE.
Britt was apprehended a short time later, after officers were able to match his description with the surveillance video and eyewitness account.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Smith commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anthony Cocuzza and Lindsey Miller, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
Two Teens Charged with Assault with Intent to Kill After Opening Fire Near High SchoolRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Saki Frost, 17, of Washington, D.C., was charged by complaint yesterday as an adult in D.C. Superior Court on the charges of assault with intent to murder while armed and assault with intent to kill while armed, stemming from a shooting that occurred on May 3, 2024, near Dunbar High School. Frost’s codefendant, Azhari Graves, 18, was charged on May 4, 2024, with assault with intent to kill while armed and assault with a dangerous weapon. Both defendants have also been charged with possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. The charges were announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela A. Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department. Both defendants are held without bond pending a preliminary hearing scheduled for May 28, 2024.
According to the government’s evidence, on May 3, 2024, at approximately 9:53 am, Graves and Frost opened fire on a sedan that was driving down Kirby Street NW, near Dunbar High School. A witness to the shooting reported hearing machine gun fire. Surveillance video captures Frost and Graves running down an alleyway holding firearms prior to the shooting. Surveillance video also captures the shooting, in which an individual appearing to be Frost fires a gun toward the sedan. Surveillance footage also captures Graves after the shooting holding a firearm with the slide locked to the rear of the weapon, indicating that the weapon had been fired. Graves and Frost then fled the area in a vehicle. Later that day, MPD officers located the defendants’ vehicle and arrested Graves and Frost. Investigators recovered a total of 29 shell casings from the scene of the shooting and numerous fragments from the exterior of Dunbar High School as well as classrooms inside the school. Investigators also observed at least six bullet strikes to the N Street side of Dunbar. During the shooting, one Dunbar student suffered a graze wound to the head from the gunfire.
This case is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Helfand of the Major Crimes Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
A complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Jury Finds District Man Guilty in Killing of Ex’s New Romantic PartnerRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON –Marcus Walker, 23, of Washington, D.C., has been found guilty by a jury of second-degree murder while armed and other charges in the shooting of Erik King in the early hours of October 11, 2022, inside an apartment in Northeast Washington, D.C. announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Walker was also found guilty of two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon of an adult female and six-year-old child who were in the room with Mr. King during the shooting, as well as second degree cruelty to children, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device. The verdict was returned on May 7, 2024, following a trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The Honorable Robert Okun scheduled sentencing for July 19, 2024.
According to the government’s evidence, Walker was living in the living room of his ex-girlfriend’s apartment. Early in the morning of October 11, 2022, the defendant became upset that his ex-girlfriend and her new boyfriend, Erik King, were engaged in sexual relations in the bedroom of the apartment. Walker sent his ex-girlfriend aggressive text messages about the subject for approximately an hour. He then burst in through the locked bedroom door and told the two to stop having sex. When they did not, the defendant shot Mr. King twice—once in the chest and another in the scrotum. Mr. King died on scene. A six-year-old child was also present in the bedroom when the shots were fired.
This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Lauren Galloway and Alec Levy.
District Man Sentenced for Possessing Firearms While Trafficking Cocaine and NarcoticsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Ronald Hinkle, 46, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 72 months in prison for possessing multiple illegal firearms as he distributed cocaine, cocaine base, and heroin in the District. The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, FBI Special Agent in Charge David J. Scott of the FBI Washington Field Office, DEA Special Agent in Charge Jarod A. Forget of the Washington Division of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and Chief Pamela A. Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department.
Hinkle, aka “Ronald Archer,” pleaded guilty on August 2, 2023, before U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly to one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. In sentencing Hinkle, Judge Kollar-Kotelly also ordered five years of supervised release and community service.
According to court documents, law enforcement officers arrested Hinkle on February 21, 2018, on the 2500 block of R Street SE after Hinkle entered a rental car. The agents recovered 84 grams of crack cocaine in plastic bags from Hinkle’s waistband and an additional eight grams of cocaine and 30 grams of heroin from the car. Agents obtained a warrant and searched Hinkle’s nearby one-bedroom apartment where they recovered several kilograms of cocaine, hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of contraband, and three firearms. The firearms, which included two pistols – a Ruger and a Glock – were later tested at FBI forensic labs and found to be linked to Hinkle through his DNA.
This investigation was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
This case was investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office, the DEA, and MPD’s Violent Crime Suppression Division. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cameron Tepfer and Thomas Strong.
Convicted Felon Sentenced for Possessing a Glock Pistol That Police Discovered After He Crashed a Stolen Car on I-295Read the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Jordan Tyler Alexander, 20, of Washington D.C., was sentenced today to 46 months in prison for illegally possessing a firearm that was discovered after he fled from police in a stolen car and crashed it following a high-speed chase. The sentencing was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves; ATF Special Agent in Charge Craig Kailimai of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Chief Malik Aziz of the Prince George’s County Police Department, and Chief Pamela A. Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Alexander pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in the District of Columbia on February 13 to a count of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a person convicted of a felony. Alexander is also facing trial for armed robbery and weapons counts in Prince George’s County, Maryland.
In addition to the 46-month prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Richard J. Leon ordered Alexander to serve three years of supervised release.
According to court documents, a Prince George’s County police officer was on patrol at 2 a.m. on August 9, 2023, when he watched a white Honda Accord pull into the parking lot of a convenience store in Suitland, MD, and then immediately leave. The officer suspected that the vehicle drove away after spotting his marked police cruiser. The police officer later saw the Honda pull into the parking lot of a tobacco store. The officer ran the vehicle’s license plate number and learned the car had been stolen in an armed robbery on July 24, 2023, in Southeast Washington, D.C.
The officer followed the Honda and witnessed it run a red light. The officer switched on his flashers and siren. The Honda sped off. The officer received authorization to pursue the Honda and followed it into the District at speeds that reached 100 m.p.h. before it crashed into a guardrail at I-295 Northbound near the exit for Minnesota Ave., NE.
Alexander jumped out of the driver’s side door and ran down I-295 as cars drove past him. An unidentified individual jumped out of the front passenger side of the vehicle. A law enforcement officer caught up to the fleeing Alexander and maneuvered in front of him. Alexander subsequently surrendered.
Inside the crashed white Honda investigators discovered a Glock 27, 40 caliber handgun with an extended magazine on the driver’s side floorboard. Next to the firearm was a cell phone. On the front passenger seat, there was an additional black Glock 22, 47 caliber pistol. The Glock on the floorboard was loaded with 17 bullets and had one in the chamber.
This case was investigated by the Prince George’s County Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Washington Field Division, and the Metropolitan Police Department as part of Project Safe Neighborhood
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shehzad Akhtar with valuable help provided by paralegal Karla Nunez.
Jury Returns Guilty Verdicts Against District Man Who Threatened to Shoot People at an Auto Repair ShopRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Rashaud Williams, 30, of Washington, D.C., was found guilty by a Superior Court jury of assault with a dangerous weapon (firearm) and related charges following a trial before the Honorable Errol Arthur, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
The jury also found Williams guilty of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and threatening to injure or kidnap a person. The verdict was returned on May 3, 2024. Judge Arthur scheduled sentencing for June 28, 2024. Williams faces a five-year mandatory minimum term of incarceration for these crimes.
According to the government’s evidence, Williams brought his car into a Petworth area auto shop for repairs on August 1, 2023. Later in the day, the shop owner called the defendant’s mother to tell her that the car would not be ready until the next day, after they obtained a needed part. A short time later, Williams went to the auto shop and threatened to “shoot up” the entire establishment. The repairman’s girlfriend was there and tried to calm Williams down. Williams then turned the gun on her and threatened to shoot her, then pointed the gun at the owner before leaving.
This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney’s Emmanuel Hampton, Erica Rudolf, and Kathryn Bartz.
Man Gets 25-Year Prison Sentence for Murder Committed in November 2023Read the Press Release
WASHINGTON - Andre Hicks, 40, of Capitol Heights, Maryland, was sentenced today for the murder of Daniel Adams in November 2023 in Northeast Washington, D.C. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo sentenced Hicks to 25 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release.
According to the government’s evidence, around 9:10 p.m. on November 25, 2023, Hicks approached 1705 Benning Road Northeast, Washington, D.C., on foot. Several people were standing inside and immediately out front of that address. The victim, Daniel Adams, was one of the people standing out front. After walking up to the address and going up its front stairs, the defendant stood for a moment by the front door, looking back in the direction of Mr. Adams. The defendant then pulled a gun out of his pants and held it to his side, away from and out of view of the victim. With the gun out, the defendant started to slowly walk back down the steps in front of that building toward where the victim was standing. Once the defendant had come within a few feet of the victim, he drew his gun up, pointed it at the victim, and started firing repeatedly. Hicks continued to fire at Mr. Adams as Mr. Adams ran away. Hicks then fled the scene. Mr. Adams was taken to a nearby hospital where he succumbed to his gunshot wounds and died the next day.
In announcing the sentence U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Smith commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Homicide Branch of the Metropolitan Police Department. They also commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Alec Levy.
District Man Sentenced to Seven-Year Prison Term for Armed Robbery and Shooting in Northwest WashingtonRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Lawrance Arnold, 33, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 84 months in prison for shooting a civilian in the Logan Circle Area of Northwest Washington DC, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). Mr. Arnold pleaded guilty to Armed Robbery in January 2024, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia before the Honorable Michael Ryan.
According to the government’s evidence, on the morning of November 25, 2023, Arnold broke into the victim’s apartment in the 14th & U Street area of Northwest Washington DC. The victim woke at approximately 7:20 am and found Arnold in his apartment, taking his clothing. The victim confronted Arnold and tried to take back his property. During that altercation, which spilled into the hallway outside the apartment, Arnold pulled a gun, shot the victim in the neck, and ran.
Bleeding from the neck, the victim walked to the corner of 14th an V Street Northwest, and flagged down a police officer. Arnold was able to provide a detailed description of his assailant, which police used to apprehend Arnold several blocks away. The victim subsequently identified Arnold as his assailant. Investigators also linked the firearm used in this case to another case, in which Arnold was captured by surveillance footage after discharging a firearm.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Smith commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialist Crystal Waddy.
Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Emmanuel Hampton, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
District Man Pleads Guilty to Two Counts of Armed RobberyRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON –Isaiah Green, 19, of Washington D.C., pleaded guilty yesterday in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, to two counts of robbery while armed, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
On May 2, 2024, Isaiah Green pleaded guilty before the Honorable Lynn Leibovitz. Judge Leibovitz scheduled sentencing for July 5, 2024.
According to the evidence, with which the defendant agreed, he robbed two victims, D.H. on August 19, 2023, and E.C. on December 3, 2023 at gunpoint.
In the days leading up to the August 19, 2023, robbery, D.H. had seen a Stihl brand saw advertised for sale on Facebook Marketplace. D.H. contacted the purported seller and arranged to meet him in the 5100 block of B Street SE to buy the saw. When D.H. arrived, Green and an accomplice immediately grabbed D.H. and robbed him at gunpoint, taking his cell phone, wallet, credit and debit cards, and checks totaling $1500. A citizen came to D.H.’s aide after the robbery and called 911.
In the days leading up to the December 3, 2023, robbery, E.C. had also seen an item advertised on Facebook Marketplace, a Hilti Laser, and contacted the purported seller to arrange to buy it. E.C. agreed to meet the seller in the 3600 block of Highwood Drive SE. E.C. drove with his wife to that location, where a man then got out of his car with a box E.C. believed contained the laser. As E.C. got of his car to inspect the laser, two assailants approached him, held him at gunpoint, and robbed him of his wallet, containing cash and bank cards, and an iPhone 13. The gunmen then pointed their guns at E.C.’s wife and rifled through the center console of the car, taking additional cash and a card. All three men then drove off together.
Working in tandem with Prince George’s County Police, MPD Detectives obtained evidence from Facebook about the accounts used to set up these and other crimes, and used that information to identify Green. Police obtained a search warrant for his residence, which they executed on December 21, 2023. During that search, police found a phone on Green’s bed that was linked to the Facebook account used in the robbery of D.H, E.C.’s wallet, credit cards and identification card on a dresser in the same room, and the Hilti laser and box used to lure E.C. from his car.
This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department and has been prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Iris McCranie and Elizabeth Van Haasteren.
District Man Indicted on Enhanced Second-Degree Theft for Theft from CVS in SouthwestRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – On Wednesday, May 1, 2024, Calvin Miler, 25, of Washington, D.C., was indicted by a grand jury in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia on one count of felony second-degree theft stemming from events occurring on February 2, 2024, U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced.
Miler will be arraigned on May 20, 2024 before a Superior Court judge.
According to the government’s evidence, on February 2, 2024, Miler went inside the CVS store located in Southwest Washington D.C. and took store merchandise for sale from the shelves. He then walked out of the CVS store without paying for the items. Miler was arrested after investigation by members of the Metropolitan Police Department.
Miler has two or more prior theft convictions, though not from the same occasion, and therefore is subject to enhanced penalties for his alleged theft, including a mandatory minimum sentence of one year in jail for each count of theft for which he is indicted.
Since September 1, 2023, including the aforementioned case, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia has indicted 42 cases involving a felony second-degree theft charge based on a defendant’s two or more prior theft convictions, not from the same occasion.
This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. It is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Yee Yee Myint.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of criminal laws and every defendant is presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty.
miler_indictment_redacted.pdfDistrict Man Indicted on Enhanced Second-Degree Theft for Theft from CVS in SouthwestRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – On Wednesday, May 1, 2024, Ernest McEachin, 39, of Washington, D.C., was indicted by a grand jury in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia on onecount of felony second-degree theft stemming from events occurring on February 23, 2024, U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced.
McEachin will be arraigned on May 20, 2024 before a Superior Court judge.
According to the government’s evidence, on February 23, 2024, McEachin went inside the CVS store located in Southwest Washington D.C. and took store merchandise for sale from the shelves. McEachin then walked out of the CVS store without paying for the items. McEachin was arrested after investigation by members of the Metropolitan Police Department.
McEachin has two or more prior theft convictions, though not from the same occasion, and therefore is subject to enhanced penalties for his alleged theft, including a mandatory minimum sentence of one year in jail for each count of theft for which he is indicted.
Since September 1, 2023, including the aforementioned case, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia has indicted 42 cases involving a felony second-degree theft charge based on a defendant’s two or more prior theft convictions, not from the same occasion.
This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. It is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Erika Norman.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of criminal laws and every defendant is presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty.
mceachin_indictment_redacted.pdf18-Year Prison Sentence Handed Down for District Man for Second-Degree Murder of Ex-Girlfriend in Northwest WashingtonRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON - Carson Posey, 24, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 18 years in prison for second degree murder while armed related to the fatal shooting of 28-year-old Shantal Hill, on April 15, 2020, in front of the Tyler House Apartments on the south side of 1200 North Capitol Street, Northwest. The sentencing was announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela A. Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Posey pleaded guilty, on September 29, 2023, to one count of second-degree murder while armed. Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe also ordered Posey to serve five years of supervised release.
According to court documents, on April 15, 2020, Posey and Hill walked out of the front of the apartment building following what appeared to be a heated argument involving a third person. Posey shot Hill, his ex-girlfriend, nine times in the legs, buttocks, and chest and fled the area. Hill identified her assailant to responding police officers while aid was being provided on the scene. Hill also stated, “I [am] a single mother and I can’t die.” She died shortly after midnight on April 16, 2020.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Smith commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Criminal Investigations Division, Homicide Branch, of the Metropolitan Police Department.
They also commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney John Interrante, who prosecuted the case.
Two District Men Sentenced to Decades in Prison for January 2021 Murder in Southeast WashingtonRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Delonta Stevenson, 29, and Vorreze Thomas Jr., 26, both of Washington, D.C., were sentenced today for the murder of Terrance Allen, 32, in Southeast Washington, D.C. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Delonta Stevenson was sentenced to 85 years in prison by D.C. Superior Court Judge Marisa J. Demeo after being found guilty on February 1, 2024 of conspiracy to commit a crime of violence, first-degree murder while armed, two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, and related firearms offenses.
Vorreze Thomas Jr. was sentenced to 53 years in prison by D.C. Superior Court Judge Marisa J. Demeo after being found guilty on February 1, 2024 of conspiracy to commit a crime of violence, first-degree murder while armed, two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, and related firearms offenses. Thomas was found guilty under an aiding and abetting theory.
According to the government’s evidence presented at trial, on the morning of January 18, 2021, Stevenson and Thomas’ vehicle intercepted a vehicle driven by Mr. Allen as it was leaving the Stanton Glen Apartments. Stevenson fired thirty-four shots with a rifle, while sitting in the front passenger’s seat, into the back of Mr. Allen’s vehicle. As a result, the victim was killed and two other passengers in Mr. Allen’s car were wounded. Mr. Allen was not the intended target; rather, Stevenson and Thomas were attempting to kill one of the other men in the car with Mr. Allen with whom they had a dispute.
Following the shooting, Stevenson and Thomas attempted to flee the scene in Thomas’ vehicle. A nearby MPD officer heard the shooting, observed the men fleeing the scene and was given authorization to pursue. Stevenson and Thomas eventually crashed their vehicle at the intersection of 29th and Erie Street SE and successfully fled on foot. Both men were arrested on February 17, 2021.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Smith commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department Homicide Branch. They also expressed appreciation for the assistance provided by the U.S. Marshals Service and the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force. They acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Supervisory Paralegal Specialist Tasha Harris, Lead Paralegal Specialist Meridith McGarrity, Paralegal Specialists Mabry Johnson, Lashone Samuels, and Stephanie Gilbert, Investigative Analyst Zach McMenamin, Supervisory IT Specialist Leif Hickling, IT Specialist Charlie Bruce, Supervisory Victim-Witness Services Coordinator Katina Adams-Washington, Victim/Witness Services Coordinators Shanika McCullough and Maenylie Watson, Victim Assistance Specialist Christina Bloodworth, Supervisory Security Specialist Lesley Slade, and Security Specialist Robert Cephas.
Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Jack Korba who investigated and indicted the case and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Miles Janssen and Zach Horton who prosecuted the case.
Jury Finds District Man Guilty of Firearm Offenses, Fleeing Law Enforcement, Reckless DrivingRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Frederick Powell, 29, of Washington, D.C., was found guilty by a jury of unlawful possession of a firearm (prior conviction) and other charges after attempting to hide his pistol inside the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission building following a Friday-night vehicular flight from police through the H-Street corridor on September 15, 2023, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Powell also was found guilty of carrying a pistol without a license, possession of an unregistered firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, as well as felony fleeing from law enforcement and reckless driving. The verdict was returned on April 30, 2024, following a trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The Honorable Andrea Hertzfeld scheduled sentencing for July 12, 2024. Powell faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
According to the government’s evidence, on September 15, 2023, at approximately 9:40 p.m., Powell was driving an unregistered vehicle in the 800 block of K Street. When MPD officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop, Powell fled at high speed, running red lights and stop signs, even though traffic was heavy and many pedestrians, enjoying the district’s night life, were around.
An MPD officer later spotted Powell’s vehicle parked outside the entrance to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission building. As officers approached, Powell entered the building, and once out of view of officers, took a .45 caliber pistol from his waistband and discreetly placed it on the floor. The firearm was loaded with one round in the chamber and nine rounds in the magazine. The serial number on the firearm had been obliterated, making it difficult to trace. Luckily, Powell’s actions were captured on the building’s surveillance system.
Powell had previously been convicted of two counts of robbery and one count of conspiracy in 2017 and was on supervision for a 2021 conviction for unlawful possession of a firearm (prior conviction).
This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department. It was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
Hahn Air Lines Agrees to Pay $26.8M to Resolve False Claims Act Liability for Its Alleged Failure to Pay Travel Fees Collected from PassengersRead the Press Release
Hahn Air Lines GmbH, a privately owned company based in Germany, and its Minneapolis-based subsidiary Hahn Air USA Inc. (collectively Hahn Air) have agreed to pay $26.8 million to resolve allegations that Hahn Air violated the False Claims Act by knowingly failing to remit to the United States certain travel fees that Hahn Air collected from commercial airline passengers flying into or within the United States.
Hahn Air Lines GmbH operates as a commercial travel company whose primary business includes offering an electronic ticketing database that allows travel agencies worldwide to issue airline passenger tickets for travel on airlines based on agreements that Hahn Air Lines GmbH has with numerous commercial airlines located around the world. Pursuant to its business model, Hahn Air Lines GmbH collects certain mandatory travel fees, including certain passenger fees that are owed to the United States.
The settlement resolves allegations that, from 2012 to 2018, Hahn Air allegedly knowingly and improperly avoided paying to the United States certain travel fees that Hahn Air had collected from airline passengers purchasing Hahn Air tickets. These included Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Agricultural Quarantine and Inspection User Fees owed to the Department of Agriculture (USDA); Customs User Fees and Immigration User Fees owed to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Passenger Civil Aviation Security Service Fees owed to the Transportation Security Administration.
“Companies that benefit from air travel in the United States must pay their fair share of the costs associated with that such travel,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “Today’s settlement demonstrates that we will protect the taxpayers by ensuring that those who are obligated to pay money to the United States, whether in the form of travel fees or other types of payments, are held accountable for what they owe.”
“Companies cannot pocket, for their own benefit, government taxes and fees that they collect from their customers,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia. “This settlement shows that companies that intentionally do so will face stiff penalties.”
“I appreciate the continued partnership with the Justice Department’s Civil Division and our other law enforcement partners,” said Inspector General Joseph V. Cuffari of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). “Today’s multimillion dollar settlement is a result of our collective efforts and demonstrates that the United States holds corporations accountable when they fail to comply with the law.”
“Participation in Government travel business programs is a privilege and should not involve actors who seek to circumvent paying travel costs to the U.S. Government,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Charmeka Parker of the USDA Office of the Inspector General (OIG). “Thanks to the hard work and tireless efforts of the investigative team, the interests and integrity of the United States and the business process throughout Government continue to be protected. The USDA Office of Inspector General appreciates the commitment of the Department of Justice and the cooperative efforts of our law enforcement partners. Our resources are well utilized when we work together to investigate those who intend to defraud the U.S. Government. This resolution demonstrates that we are committed to holding businesses accountable when they choose to abuse the integrity of vital government programs.”
The settlement resolved a lawsuit filed under the qui tam or whistleblower provision of the False Claims Act, which permits private parties to file suit on behalf of the United States for false claims and share in a portion of the government’s recovery. The qui tam case is captioned U.S. ex rel. MGSNOVA Advisory, LLC v. Hahn Air, Inc. et al, No. 1:15‐cv‐02184 (D.D.C.). As part of today’s resolution, the whistleblower will receive a total of approximately $4.8 million.
The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, with assistance from the Offices of Inspector General for the DHS and USDA.
Trial Attorney Richard W. Hagner of the Civil Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Darrell Valdez for the District of Columbia handled the matter.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only. There has been no determination of liability.
SettlementHahn Air Lines Agrees to Pay $26.8 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Liability for Its Alleged Failure to Pay Travel Fees Collected from PassengersRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Hahn Air Lines GmbH, a privately owned company based in Germany, and its Minneapolis-based subsidiary Hahn Air USA, Inc. (collectively, “Hahn Air”) have agreed to pay $26.8 million to resolve allegations that Hahn Air violated the False Claims Act by knowingly failing to remit to the United States certain travel fees that Hahn Air collected from commercial airline passengers flying into or within the United States.
The settlement was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Inspector General Joseph V. Cuffari for the Department of Homeland Security, and Acting Special Agent in Charge Charmeka Parker for USDA Office of the Inspector General (OIG).
Hahn Air Lines GmbH operates as a commercial travel company whose primary business includes offering an electronic ticketing database that allows travel agencies worldwide to issue airline passenger tickets for travel on airlines based on agreements that Hahn Air Lines GmbH has with numerous commercial airlines located around the world. Pursuant to its business model, Hahn Air Lines GmbH collects certain mandatory travel fees, including certain passenger fees that are owed to the United States.
The settlement resolves allegations that, from 2012 to 2018, Hahn Air allegedly knowingly and improperly avoided paying to the United States certain travel fees that Hahn Air had collected from airline passengers purchasing Hahn Air tickets. These included Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Agricultural Quarantine and Inspection User Fees owed to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA); Customs User Fees and Immigration User Fees owed to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP); and Passenger Civil Aviation Security Service Fees owed to the Transportation Security Administration.
“Companies cannot pocket, for their own benefit, government taxes and fees that they collect from their customers,” said U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Matthew M. Graves. “This settlement shows that companies that intentionally do so will face stiff penalties.”
“Companies that benefit from air travel in the United States must pay their fair share of the costs associated with that such travel,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “Today’s settlement demonstrates that we will protect the taxpayers by ensuring that those who are obligated to pay money to the United States, whether in the form of travel fees or other types of payments, are held accountable for what they owe."
“I appreciate the continued partnership with the Justice Department’s Civil Division and our other law enforcement partners,” said Inspector General Joseph V. Cuffari for the Department of Homeland Security. “Today’s multimillion dollar settlement is a result of our collective efforts and demonstrates that the United States holds corporations accountable when they fail to comply with the law.”
“Participation in Government travel business programs is a privilege and should not involve actors who seek to circumvent paying travel costs to the U.S. Government,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Charmeka Parker for USDA Office of the Inspector General (OIG). “Thanks to the hard work and tireless efforts of the investigative team, the interests and integrity of the United States and the business process throughout Government continue to be protected. The USDA Office of Inspector General appreciates the commitment of the Department of Justice and the cooperative efforts of our law enforcement partners. Our resources are well utilized when we work together to investigate those who intend to defraud the U.S. Government. This resolution demonstrates that we are committed to holding businesses accountable when they choose to abuse the integrity of vital government programs.”
The settlement resolved a lawsuit filed under the qui tam or whistleblower provision of the False Claims Act, which permits private parties to file suit on behalf of the United States for false claims and share in a portion of the government’s recovery. The qui tam case is captioned U.S. ex rel. MGSNOVA Advisory, LLC v. Hahn Air, Inc. et al, No. 1:15‐cv‐02184 (D.D.C.). As part of today’s resolution, the whistleblower will receive a total of approximately $4.8 million.
The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, with assistance from the Offices of Inspector General for the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Agriculture.
The matter was handled by Trial Attorney Richard W. Hagner of the Civil Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Darrell Valdez for the District of Columbia.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only. There has been no determination of liability.
District Man Indicted on Enhanced Second-Degree Theft for Theft from CVS Retail Store in SoutheastRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – On Wednesday, May 1, 2024, Kenneth Collins, 37, of Washington, D.C., was indicted by a grand jury in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia on one count of felony second-degree theft stemming from events occurring on January 17, 2024, U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced.
Collins is to be arraigned on May 22 2024, at a hearing before a Superior Court judge.
According to the government’s evidence, on January 17, 2024, Collins took merchandise without paying from the CVS store in Southeast, Washington, D.C. He was located and arrested after investigation by the Metropolitan Police Department.
Collins has two or more prior theft convictions, though not from the same occasion, and therefore is subject to enhanced penalties for his alleged theft, including a mandatory minimum sentence of one year in jail for each count of theft for which he is indicted.
Since September 1, 2023, including the aforementioned case, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia has indicted 42 cases involving a felony second-degree theft charge based on a defendant’s two or more prior theft convictions, not from the same occasion.
This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anne Cotter.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of criminal laws and every defendant is presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty.
District Man Found Guilty of First-Degree Murder While Armed for July 2021 ShootingRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Eric Davis, 60, of Washington, D.C., was found guilty today by a jury of first-degree murder while armed for the July 2021 shooting of Theodore “Bino” Riley, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
The Honorable Michael O’Keefe scheduled sentencing for August 2, 2024.
Davis was found guilty following a jury trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, of first-degree murder while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence or dangerous offense.
According to evidence presented during the trial, on July 19, 2021, around 7:33 p.m., Davis was captured on surveillance walking with the victim, Theodore Riley, to an alley adjacent to 1608 Gales Street Northeast. Once in the alley, Davis shot Mr. Riley once in the head. The defendant then quickly walked out of the south end of the alley and fled while attempting to change his outward appearance by putting on a long-sleeved shirt over the short-sleeved shirt he had been wearing. Mr. Riley was found in the alley face-down with a single .45 caliber casing at his feet.
Davis was arrested on September 22, 2021. Judge O’Keefe ordered that the defendant remain held pending sentencing.
This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department. It was prosecuted and tried by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kathleen Gibbons and Saman Danai of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
Violent Felon Sentenced for Possession of an Illegal RifleRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Travis Wicks, 48, of Washington D.C., was sentenced today to 57 months in prison for possessing a Sig Sauer P-365 handgun that had been converted into a rifle and equipped with a drum magazine loaded with forty-rounds of ammunition, along with a laser sight.
The sentencing was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves; Special Agent in Charge Craig Kailimai, of the Washington Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); and Chief Pamela A. Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Wicks pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a person convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year. The plea represents his fourth gun charge. In addition to the 57-month prison sentence, U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Kelly, ordered Wicks to serve three years of supervised release.
According to court documents, on May 1, 2023, MPD officers executed a search warrant at the Southeast Washington D.C. apartment where Wicks was known to stay. The search recovered one round of 9mm ammunition in a kitchen cabinet, a black firearm laser sight on a living room coffee table, nine loose 9mm rounds inside a bedroom closet, a drum-style magazine containing 40 rounds of 9mm ammunition in the bedroom closet, and a Sig Sauer P-365 semi-automatic handgun with an obliterated serial number inserted into a rifle conversion kit, also found on the bedroom closet floor. Subsequent DNA analysis linked Wicks to the weapon.
According to the sentencing memo, Wicks has a long and varied history of violent behavior that now includes four gun charges. In October 2005, Wicks was convicted in D.C. Superior Court of voluntary manslaughter while armed for stabbing an unarmed man 20 times in a restaurant.
This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Yasmine Emrani and Cameron Tepfer.
sentencing_memorandum_travis_wicks.pdf modified_sig_sauer.pdfUnited States Files Forfeiture Action Against $1.55 Million Aircraft Landing GearRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON - The Department of Justice today announced the filing of a forfeiture complaint against a set of aircraft landing gear for a Boeing 737-800 that was detained in September 2023 at Miami International Airport by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol. The gear was purchased for the benefit of a Kyrgyz Republic-based transhipper of dual-use items servicing the Russian Federation, in violation of U.S. economic sanctions.
The pleas were announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Assistant Attorney General for National Security Matthew G. Olsen Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Ryan L Spradlin of the Denver Field Office, and Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Enforcement Matthew S. Axelrod with the Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security.
According to court documents, the landing gear had been sold in June 2023 by a Florida-based aircraft parts overhauler and reseller for $1.55 million to an intermediary in Istanbul, Turkiye, GQ Solution Electronic Ekipman Limited.
“This Office continues to use every tool it has to stop illegal transactions with Russian businesses,” said U.S. Attorney Graves. “Today’s complaint stops an attempted illegal transfer to the Russian Federations of parts for airplanes and seeks to permanently deprive both the Russian Federation and the company that tried to sell them of these goods.”
Concurrent with today’s action, the State Department announced new sanctions against entities engaged in Russia’s technology sector, including GQ Solution Elektronik Limited in connection with the company’s supplying of electronic components to Russia-based companies.
In July 2023, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated LLC RM Design and Development (RMDD) as a Specially Designated National (SDN) for operating in the electronics sector of the Russian Federation economy. According to OFAC, RMDD was established in March 2022, less than one month following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. OFAC has described RMDD as a “prolific shipper of dual-use goods to Russia, including to firms that have supplied electronics to Russia-based defense companies.” As a result of RMDD’s designation as an SDN, all property and interests in property of RMDD that are in the United States are blocked.
On July 25, 2023, five days after being designated as an SDN by OFAC, RMDD sent an email asking HML Aviation to “switch [the purchase] fully to our partners GQ Solution.” After the email, all mentions of RMDD were scrubbed from invoices for the landing gear.
On August 29, 2023, GQ Solution completed HML Aviation’s End Use/End User Certification form. Among the items included in the form are statements that GQ Solution “will not export or re-export U.S. products, technology or software… to any restricted country unless otherwise authorized by the United States Government.”
On September 1, 2023, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) alerted the shipper that it had detained the landing gear shipment at the airport in Miami.
This forfeiture action is a product of the U.S. government’s coordinated effort to enforce U.S. sanctions and export controls against the Russian Federation following the invasion of Ukraine. The forfeiture complaint detailed here is merely an allegation. The burden to prove forfeitability in a forfeiture proceeding is upon the government.
The Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Colorado Springs Field Office and the Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security are leading the larger investigation into Russian Federation attempts to avoid U.S. sanctions and export controls.
This case is being litigated by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Conor Mulroe and Rick Blaylock Jr., with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, and Trial Attorney Sean Heiden of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.
This case was coordinated through the Justice Department’s Task Force KleptoCapture, an interagency law enforcement task force dedicated to enforcing the sweeping sanctions, export controls, and economic countermeasures that the United States, along with its foreign allies and partners, has imposed in response to Russia’s unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine. Announced by the Attorney General on March 2, 2022, and under the leadership of the Office of the Deputy Attorney General, the task force will continue to leverage all of the department’s tools and authorities to combat efforts to evade or undermine the collective actions taken by the U.S. government in response to Russian military aggression.
Scheme to Transfer Money to Iran Results in Guilty PleasRead the Press Release
Muzzamil Zaidi, 40, and Asim Mujtaba Naqvi, 40, both of Houston, Texas, pleaded guilty today for their roles in an illicit scheme to collect tens of thousands of dollars from the United States to Iran, including in the name of Ayatollah Ali Husseini Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and arrange for the money to be exported to Iran without the required licenses from the Offices of Foreign Assets Control.
According to court documents, in December 2018, Zaidi received permission to collect khums – a religious tax on wealth – on behalf of several Imams. Between December 2018 and December 2019, Zaidi and Naqvi collected payments of this tax, as well as donations purportedly to help victims of the ongoing civil war in Yemen, from individuals in the United States.
Zaidi and Naqvi arranged for the funds to be exported from the United States to Iran and to be received by the Office of the Supreme Leader of Iran. Zaidi and Naqvi enlisted friends, family members, and other associates to carry the cash out of the United States, in amounts less than $10,000 in order to avoid law enforcement scrutiny. One transfer of dollars to Iran involved a group of 25 travelers going on a religious pilgrimage in Iraq, and the subsequent transport of U.S. dollars hand-carried by those travelers to Iran. Both Zaidi and Naqvi were arrested in Houston on Aug. 18, 2020, as a result of this scheme.
The transfer of money was illegal because the United States has imposed economic sanctions on Iran since 1995. Every year since 1984, the U.S. State Department has named Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism. And on June 24, 2019, the President imposed additional sanctions on the Supreme Leader of Iran that prohibit the provision of funds to, or for the benefit of, the Supreme Leader of Iran.
Zaidi and Naqvi both pleaded guilty to conspiracy and violations of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) before U.S. District Judge Tanya S. Chutkan, who scheduled sentencing for Zaidi on Aug. 13 and for Naqvi on Oct. 1.
The FBI Washington Field Office and the FBI Houston Counterterrorism team are investigating the case. FBI Field Offices in Dallas, Chicago, and Detroit provided valuable assistance.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jolie Zimmerman, Erik Kenerson, and Maeghan Mikorski for the District of Columbia, and Trial Attorneys Adam Small and Derek Shugert of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section and Jennifer Levy of the Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the case.
Scheme to Transfer Money to Iran Results in Guilty PleasRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Muzzamil Zaidi, 40, and Asim Mujtaba Naqvi, 40, both of Houston, Texas, pleaded guilty today for their roles in an illicit scheme to collect tens of thousands of dollars from the United States to Iran, including in the name of Ayatollah Ali Husseini Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and arrange for the money to be exported to Iran without the required licenses from the Offices of Foreign Assets Control.
The guilty pleas were announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Assistant Attorney General for National Security Matthew G. Olsen, FBI Special Agent in Charge Douglas A. Williams Jr. of the Houston Field Office, and FBI Assistant Director in Charge David Sundberg of the Washington Field Office.
Zaidi and Naqvi both pleaded guilty to conspiracy and violations of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) before U.S. District Judge Tanya S. Chutkan, who scheduled sentencing for Zaidi on August 13, 2024, and for Naqvi on October 1, 2024.
According to court documents, in December 2018, Zaidi received permission to collect khums – a religious tax on wealth – on behalf of several Imams. Between December 2018 and December 2019, Zaidi and Naqvi collected payments of this tax, as well as donations purportedly to help victims of the ongoing civil war in Yemen, from individuals in the United States.
“The defendants smuggled cash out of the United States for the purpose of illegally delivering it to Iran, a country that sponsors terrorism across the globe,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves. “This Office and our law enforcement partners will find and prosecute those seeking to unlawfully fund this regime.”
“For over 40 years, Iran has financed terror organizations that export fear, violence, and death across the globe,” said FBI Houston Special Agent in Charge Douglas Williams. “Zaidi and Naqvi financially supported Iran’s dispersion of terror through a system of subterfuge and deception. Thanks to the work of FBI counterterrorism agents, their system has been neutralized and Iran’s rabid campaign of state-sponsored terrorism has been impaired.”
“The FBI remains steadfast in preventing U.S. currency from reaching the most prolific state sponsor of terrorism in the world,” Assistant Director in Charge Sundberg said. “Today's hearing should be a warning to others that the FBI is committed to finding those who willfully circumvent U.S. sanctions and bring them to justice.”
Zaidi and Naqvi arranged for the funds to be exported from the United States to Iran and to be received by the Office of the Supreme Leader of Iran. Zaidi and Naqvi enlisted friends, family members, and other associates to carry the cash out of the United States, in amounts less than $10,000 in order to avoid law enforcement scrutiny. One transfer of dollars to Iran involved a group of 25 travelers going on a religious pilgrimage in Iraq, and the subsequent transport of U.S. dollars hand-carried by those travelers to Iran. Both Zaidi and Naqvi were arrested in Houston on August 18, 2020, as a result of this scheme.
The transfer of money was illegal because the U.S. has imposed economic sanctions on Iran since 1995. Every year since 1984, the U.S. State Department has named Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism. And on June 24, 2019, the President imposed additional sanctions on the Supreme Leader of Iran that prohibits the provision of funds to, or for the benefit of, the Supreme Leader of Iran.
This case was investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office and the FBI Houston Counterterrorism investigative team. The FBI’s offices in Dallas, Chicago, and Detroit all provided valuable assistance.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jolie Zimmerman, Erik Kenerson, and Maeghan Mikorski of the National Security Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, along with Trial Attorneys Adam Small and Derek Shugert of the Counterintelligence and Export Control Section and Jennifer Levy of the Counterterrorism Section of the National Security Division of the Department of Justice.
District Man Pleads Guilty to Daylight Armed Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Ronald Lamont Jenkins, 35, of Washington D.C., pleaded guilty today to the daylight armed robbery of a Northeast Washington D.C bank branch in June 2022, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, FBI Special Agent in Charge David J. Scott of the FBI Washington Field Office, and Chief Pamela A. Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department.
Jenkins pleaded guilty today to a charge of bank robbery before U.S. District Judge Randolph D. Moss, who scheduled sentencing for August 21, 2024.
According to court documents, Jenkins entered the bank branch on 900 block of Rhode Island Avenue on June 13, 2022. Jenkins approached the counter, stated “open the drawer,” and lifted the front of his shirt to reveal the handle of a black-and-gold handgun tucked into his waistband. As the teller opened the register, Jenkins reached over the counter and grabbed a large amount of cash before quickly leaving the bank. FBI Agents traced Jenkins’ flight path and recovered a pair of neon yellow gloves, a black hooded sweatshirt, a pair of brown shoes, a pair of sweatpants, and a black face mask – all of which matched the clothing worn during the robbery. A subsequent laboratory review discovered Jenkins’ DNA on that clothing, and he was arrested on November 15, 2023. Jenkins has been detained since his arrest.
This case was investigated by the FBI’s Violent Crimes Task Force with assistance from the Metropolitan Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney James B. Nelson.
District Man Found Guilty of Gun and Drug Paraphernalia-Related ChargesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON - Demann Shelton, 31, of Washington, D.C., was found guilty today by a jury of charges related to a December 2019 incident in which he possessed an illegal firearm in NW Washington D.C., announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department.
The Honorable Lynn Leibovitz scheduled sentencing for July 12, 2024.
Shelton was found guilty following a jury trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, of unlawful possession of a firearm, carrying a pistol without a license, possession of an unregistered firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.
According to evidence presented during the trial, on December 18, 2019, Shelton and two other men were inside an illegally parked car, near 90 L Street NW, when Metropolitan Police Department (“MPD”) officers drove into the parking lot. Officers ordered Shelton, the sole backseat passenger, to get out of the car. During the ensuing search of the car, officers located a large black jacket on the backseat near where Shelton had been sitting moments earlier. Inside the jacket, officers found a loaded .40 caliber Glock 23 handgun, with an affixed laser light and an inserted extended magazine containing 15 rounds of ammunition, along with a digital scale with white powder residue, Shelton’s photo ID, a credit card with a picture of Shelton on it, and mail with Shelton’s name on it. Officers also located $2,443 in cash in Shelton’s pants pocket.
Judge Leibovitz ordered that the defendant remain held pending sentencing.
This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department. It was prosecuted and tried by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Luke Albi and Leah Paisner of the General Crimes Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
Two Men Sentenced to 10 Years for Trafficking Mass Quantities of Fentanyl from Southern California to the DistrictRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Mario Ernesto Benitez, 29, and Diamante Markell Hall, 29, both of Washington D.C., were sentenced today to 120 months in prison for their roles in a large-scale narcotics conspiracy that trafficked kilogram quantities of fentanyl and additional amounts of cocaine from Southern California to the metropolitan region.
The sentences were announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, FBI Special Agent in Charge David J. Scott of the FBI Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Division, DEA Special Agent in Charge Jarod A. Forget of the Washington Division of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Inspector in Charge Damon Wood, of the United States Postal Inspection Service Washington Division, and Colonel Gary T. Settle, Superintendent of the Virginia State Police.
Benitez, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine on January 11, 2024, was sentenced to 10 years in prison by U.S. District Judge Dabney L. Friedrich, who also ordered Benitez to serve five of supervised release on completion of the prison term.
Hall, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, was sentenced to 10 years in prison by Judge Friedrich, who also ordered Hall to serve five years of supervised release.
According to court documents, Benitez admitted to trafficking more than three kilograms of a mixture of substance containing fentanyl and 217 grams of cocaine from December 2022 until his arrest in May 2023. Hall admitted to trafficking nearly six kilograms of fentanyl to the metro area in the span of a few months.
Authorities learned that on December 13, 2022, two packages were shipped at the same time from a facility in Monterrey Park, California, to the Washington, D.C. area. Both packages were addressed to “Martes Benito,” on the 700 block of Congress Street, S.E. The shipper opened the first package pursuant to their own policies as the package was deemed suspicious by its employees. Virginia State Police and the DEA recovered approximately 700 grams of fentanyl pills and 200 grams of cocaine from the first package.
On December 17, 2022, the shipper informed law enforcement that a second package addressed to “Martes Benito” at the Congress Street address had been intercepted. Law enforcement obtained a state court warrant for the package. It was found to contain approximately one kilogram of fentanyl pills. Video from the shipping facility in Monterrey Park confirmed that Benitez mailed both packages at the same time on December 13, 2023, and the video footage shows the distinctive tattoos on Benitez’s left hand and left wrist.
Agents also learned that beginning in June 2022, approximately twice a month, Benitez made short trips, flying to Los Angeles, California and then returning to the Washington D.C. area. One of those trips took place from December 12 to December 13, 2023, which coincided with the date that both packages were shipped from the facility near Los Angeles in Monterrey Park. Hall often accompanied him on those trips and helped to ship packages of fentanyl to the Washington metro area.
On May 3, 2023, agents arrested Benitez in the District. Upon his arrest, agents executed a search warrant at his residence where they seized six grams of cocaine and 150 grams of fentanyl pills, a DPMS AR-style rifle and a Glock Model 19 handgun, $57,226 in cash, and implements used to ship the narcotics. The magazine in the AR-style rifle was loaded.
Hall addressed his packages to the 500 block of Rittenhouse Street, NW. On September 18, 2023, law enforcement arrested Hall in Maryland. In searching Hall’s residence, agents found 28 grams of suspected cocaine, a loaded Glock Model 30 handgun with an obliterated serial number, additional ammunition of different calibers, a money counter, a digital scale, and $1,500 in cash which Hall admitted was proceeds from his drug sales.
This investigation was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
This case was investigated by the FBI, the DEA, U.S. Postal Inspection Service Washington Division, and Virginia State Police. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nihar Mohanty of the Violent Crime and Narcotics Trafficking Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Alicia Long.
Maryland Man Pleads Guilty to a String of Armed Robberies and Attempted Robberies of Northwest Commercial BusinessesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Roberto McBean, 30, of Hyattsville, MD, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court on Friday to a string of 10 armed robberies and attempted robberies in the District between August 22, 2023, and January 8, 2024, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, FBI Special Agent in Charge David J. Scott of the FBI Washington Field Office, and Chief Pamela A. Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department.
McBean admitted to committing all 10 robberies. He pleaded guilty to four counts of interference with interstate commerce by robbery, aka Hobbs Act robbery, on April 26, 2024, before U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly, who scheduled sentencing for September 5, 2024.
According to court documents, McBean used a small hammer to rob a Sunoco gas station on the 2400 block of Wisconsin Ave., NW, on August 22, 2023. On August 31, McBean used a small vegetable knife to rob the Georgetown Wine and Spirits on the 2700 block of P street, NW of cash and a bottle of red wine. On September 18, 2023, McBean was stymied when he brandished a knife at the Universal Wine and Spirits on the 2000 block of Florida Ave.-- a customer saw what was happening and barked “Not today, Get out!” and McBean left without taking any money. On November 23, 2023, McBean entered the Glover Park Market on the 2400 block of 37th Street, NW, with a black firearm and robbed the market of cash. On December 8, 2023, McBean gained entry to an Exxon gas station in Georgetown, on the 1600 block of Wisconsin Ave., NW, produced a gun and left with a small amount of cash. On December 8, 2023, McBean returned to the Sunoco gas station on Wisconsin Ave., produced his firearm, and ordered the employee to empty the register in a bag. On December 16, 2023, McBean returned to the Glover Park Market, went behind the counter, and opened the cash register. McBean took the cash from the register, multiple lottery tickets, and a plastic bag.
On December 20, 2023, McBean went back to the Georgetown Wine and Spirits shop and ordered an employee to empty the register. The employee told McBean that he didn’t have a key to the register and McBean pulled out a firearm and again demanded money. The employee picked up the entire register and handed it to McBean. McBean fumbled with the machine before handing it back. Unsuccessful, McBean left the store. On January 4, 2024, McBean entered Sara’s Market and Dry Cleaners on the 3000 block of Q Street NW. McBean picked up a bottle of wine, set it on the counter, and demanded cash. The employee said the market did not accept cash and only accepted electronic payments. McBean left the store with only a bottle of wine. On January 5, 2024, McBean again returned to the Glover Park Market armed with a handgun and ordered an employee to fill a bag with cash. In addition to the money, McBean took lottery tickets and two packs of cigarettes with him. On January 8, 2024, McBean returned to the Glover Park Market for the fourth time. The store employee recognized McBean as the same man who had robbed her in December and a few days before.
Agents with the FBI’s Washington Field Office arrested McBean on January 26, 2024.
Because each of the six stores that McBean robbed bought and sold goods in interstate commerce, McBean’s actions in each of the robberies delayed, obstructed, or affected interstate commerce.
This case was investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office Violent Crimes Task Force and the Metropolitan Police Department. It was prosecuted by Ryan Lipes and Omeed A. Assefi.
New York Woman Sentenced for Defacing Degas Sculpture Exhibit at the National Gallery of ArtRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Joanna Smith, 54, of Brooklyn, New York, was sentenced today to 60 days in prison for the April 2023 defacement of an exhibit at the National Gallery of Art that displayed a wax sculpture, Little Dancer Aged Fourteen, created by Edgar Degas, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and FBI Special Agent in Charge David J. Scott, of the FBI’s Washington Field Office’s Criminal and Cyber Division.
Smith pleaded guilty on December 15, 2023, before U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson to one count of causing injury to a National Gallery of Art exhibit. In addition to the prison term, Judge Berman Jackson ordered Smith to serve 24 months of supervised release, serve 150 hours of community service, of which 10 hours must involve cleaning graffiti, and pay restitution for the damage to the Degas exhibit. Smith is also barred from entering the District of Columbia and all museums and monuments for two years.
According to the government’s evidence, Smith, along with other co-conspirators, traveled to Washington D.C., on April 27, 2023, to smear red and black paint on the National Gallery of Art permanent exhibition of the Little Dancer Aged Fourteen created by Degas from 1878 to1881. Smith and a co-conspirator previously had conducted research on the piece and specifically targeted it. Before entering the National Gallery, the duo recorded video statements explaining their intent. Smith and the co-conspirator passed through security undetected with paint secreted inside water bottles.
The duo approached the exhibit, removed the bottles from their bags, and began smearing paint on the case and base surrounding the sculpture. Smith delivered statements telling onlookers why she was undertaking the action as paint dripped from the exhibit onto the surrounding floor.
Following the action, the National Gallery was required to remove the sculpture from public display for 10 days while it assessed the sculpture for damage and made repairs to the case. Gallery officials said it cost over $4,000 to repair the damage.
The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office, specifically the FBI’s Art Crime Team, with assistance from National Gallery of Art Police, and U.S. Park Police. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron A. Tepfer of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
District Man Sentenced to 28 Months in Prison for Robbery and Firearms Related ChargesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Ralph Butler, 19, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 28 months in prison for robbery and assault with a deadly weapon (felony) of two men on September 22, 2023, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela A. Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Butler pleaded guilty on February 7, 2024, to robbery and assault with a dangerous weapon in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia before the Honorable Lynn Leibovitz.
According to the government’s evidence, with which Butler agreed, on September 22, 2023, at around 5:45 a.m., Butler and another individual approached two men in the 2200 block of Shannon Place SE, produced handguns, and robbed them of their phones, car keys, currency, and, ultimately, their vehicles, which were parked nearby. Butler drove off in one victim’s car, while his accomplice drove off in the other victim’s SUV. Both vehicles were later recovered in Butler’s neighborhood in Southeast Washington D.C.
Surveillance footage captured both Butler and his accomplice in the area surrounding the crime scene, as well as Butler and his accomplice each driving the stolen vehicles. MPD officers arrested Butler on October 19, 2023.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief. Smith commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They acknowledged the efforts of those working on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Assistant U.S. Attorney John Parron.
Out-of-State Gunmen Indicted for July Shooting That Injured TwoRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Daquawn Lubin, 29, of Maryland, and Jonathan Young, 34, of Virginia, are charged in a 14-count indictment, filed today in Superior Court, with conspiring to shoot and kill a victim in Southeast D.C., in July of 2023, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela A. Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department.
The indictment charges Lubin and Young with conspiracy, two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm, and other related offenses. According to the Government’s evidence, in the evening of July 24, 2023, Lubin and Young had a confrontation with A.A. at an apartment building in the 4600 block of Benning Road, Southeast. Afterward, the two defendants hid in the apartment building’s parking lot, armed with firearms and hidden by dark hooded sweatshirts and masks, lying in wait for the victim. As A.A. walked the dimly lit pedestrian walkway to his car, Lubin and Young burst out of hiding and fired off more than 20 gunshots, striking the victim eight times and twice striking a second victim, who was with A.A. Lubin and Young then fled the scene. Both victims survived.
This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony Cocuzza.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of criminal laws and every defendant is presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty.
Eight Year Sentence Handed Down for Carjacking and Robbery of a Delivery DriverRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Daquan Skipper, 27, of Alexandria, Virginia was sentenced to eight years in prison for carjacking an Uber Eats delivery driver of his motorized scooter in July 2023, and for robbing him of his cell phone, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department. Skipper pleaded guilty to both charges on January 31, 2024. Superior Court Judge Jason Park, who sentenced Skipper on April 12, 2024, also ordered three years of supervised release.
According to the government’s evidence, with which Skipper agreed, on July 29, 2023 outside of a Pizza Hut located at 1501 Maryland Avenue NE, the defendant and two others approached the delivery driver who had just picked up an order. The victim was putting his cell phone into a holder on the handlebars when the defendant and his accomplices ran up to and surrounded him. The defendant threated the victim by telling him he had a gun while gesturing to his waistband as if he did have a gun. The victim believed that the defendant was armed. The defendant grabbed the victim’s phone and the keys to the scooter. The defendant tried to start the scooter several times, but when he failed, he and one of his accomplices dragged the scooter toward the Bladensburg Road NE intersection.
The victim followed the defendant until he saw and flagged down MPD police officers. The defendant dropped the scooter and ran when an MPD police officer tried to arrest him. Police eventually apprehended him and recovered the victim’s phone.
This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica Ans and Rashmika Nedungadi.
District Woman Sentenced for Attempted Assault with a Dangerous Weapon for Attacking Law Enforcement While ShopliftingRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Jamilla Haskins, 33, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced to 14 months in prison for attempting to stab a detective and pepper spraying him after he confronted her about stealing from the store, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). Haskins pleaded guilty on February 21, 2024 to assault with a dangerous weapon.
According to the government’s evidence, on January 23, 2024, at the CVS located at 128 Kennedy Street NW, Haskins concealed 30 items, including hair clips, shaving cream, and body oil, belonging to CVS, inside of her bag. She then passed all points of sale and attempted to leave the store without paying for the items. An MPD detective who was checking on the retail thefts at local stores, saw Haskins attempting to steal items, stopped her, and confronted her about the property she had taken. Haskins responded by pepper spraying the Detective in the face. The detective then attempted to detain the defendant inside the CVS. Haskins began pushing the detective away and was actively trying to get away from him. Haskins still had merchandise in her possession. The struggle worked its way from the exit doors through the vestibule to the front outside entrance of the store. During the struggle, Haskins pointed a black pocketknife at the detective and threatened to stab him. The detective – with pepper spray in his eyes – disarmed her. Haskins continued to try to make her escape. The detective and MPD officers responding to his call were able stop Haskins at the corner of 2nd St NW on Kennedy St NW and recover her knife.
This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rashmika Nedungadi.
Virginia Woman Pleads Guilty to Distributing Child Pornography in Plot to Molest a Young GirlRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Eleanor Hunton Hoppe, 46, of Charlottesville, Va., today pleaded guilty to distributing child pornography in a plot to molest a young girl. The plea agreement was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves of the District of Columbia and FBI Special Agent in Charge David J. Scott of the Washington Field Office, and Chief Pamela A. Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department.
Hoppe pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of child pornography before U.S. District Judge Rudolph Contreras, who scheduled sentencing for September 23, 2024. The terms of Hoppe’s plea agreement call for her to serve 135 months in prison and 10 years of supervised release. In addition, she will have to register as a sex offender for a minimum period of 25 years.
According to court documents, in late February 2023, an undercover law enforcement officer encountered Hoppe on a social media site where individuals discuss their sexual interest in children and child sexual abuse material. Hoppe distributed three images of child pornography to the undercover officer and repeatedly expressed an interest in sexually abusing his purported 8-year-old daughter. On March 16, 2023, P Hoppe arranged to have the undercover officer bring his daughter from D.C. to a hotel in Warrenton, Va., where she would meet them to sexually abuse the child. Police arrested Hoppe when she arrived at the hotel.
This case was investigated by detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Youth and Family Services Division, Internet Crimes Against Children Unit, and the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force.
It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Caroline Burrell and Rachel Forman.
Repeat Offender Sentenced for Firearms Offense and Possessing Crack Cocaine Near a SchoolRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – DeAngelo Wayne McNeil, 37, of Washington D.C, was sentenced today to 36 months for unlawfully possessing a firearm and, while near a school, possessing cocaine base with the intent to sell it. The sentence, in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves.
McNeil pleaded guilty January 24, 2024, to a count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession with the intent to distribute cocaine base near schools. In addition to the three-year prison term, Chief U.S. District Judge James E. Boasberg ordered McNeil to serve six years of supervised release.
According to court documents, when he was arrested on September 21, 2023, McNeil was on release in the Superior Court for the District of Columbia for similar conduct: unlawfully possessing a gun and possessing cocaine. He also had a 2018 conviction for possessing a gun and possessing cocaine with the intent to sell it.
Police took McNeil into custody near 1919 I Street, Northeast, which is about 850 feet from Phelps High School, located at 704 26th Street Northeast. Officers recovered a set of vehicle keys in McNeil’s hand. In addition, police found McNeil was carrying nearly 20 grams of a rock-like substance that field tested positive as crack cocaine. In his front left pocket, McNeil was carrying $545.25 in cash and a small digital scale.
McNeil’s car was located nearby. Police searched the vehicle and recovered $4960 in cash and a Glock model 30 .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol from the locked glovebox. The gunwas loaded with one round in the chamber and 12 rounds of ammunition in the magazine.
This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ryan Lipes and Jared English.
MPD Officer and a Maryland Accountant Plead Guilty to COVID Emergency Loan FraudRead the Press Release
Owen M. Grigsby, 44, of Waldorf, Maryland, and Himmeh Kuawogai, 46, of Ellicott City, Maryland, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in connection with filing false and misleading information in order to fraudulently obtain over $95,000.00 in Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, FBI Special Agent in Charge David J. Scott of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, and Chief Pamela A. Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department.
Grigsby is a patrol officer with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) who is currently on administrative leave with pay. Kuawogai is an accountant and owner of HAK Accounting Services. Both men both pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud by engaging in a scheme to defraud and obtain money and property by means of materially false and fraudulent pretenses, representations, and promises, which carries a potential penalty of five years in prison. The Honorable Randolph D. Moss presided over the guilty pleas and scheduled sentencing for September 10, 2024.
According to court documents, Kuawogai helped Grigsby establish Owen Grigsby Associates (OAG) in Maryland in July 2020. At the time, Grigsby was employed by the MPD. Although Grigsby was required to report any outside business venture to MPD pursuant to MPD policies, Grigsby failed to do so. OGA allegedly had no legitimate purpose and was created only to obtain EIDL and PPP loans.
In October 2020, Grigsby filed an EIDL application on behalf of OGA containing materially false statements to the Small Business Administration (SBA). Grigsby was approved for that loan and fraudulently obtained $53,600.00. In December 2021, Grigsby filed an application containing materially false statements on behalf of OGA to the SBA seeking to modify his original EIDL in the amount of $214,500.00. Grigsby was denied that loan modification. Grigsby applied for the EIDLs despite never intending to use loan funds for a legitimate business purpose.
In April 2021, Grigsby submitted his first PPP loan application on behalf of OGA containing materially false statements to Harvest Small Business Finance, LLC (HSBF), an FDIC-insured financial institution. In April 2021, Grigsby submitted his second PPP loan application on behalf of OGA containing materially false statements to HSBF. As a result of Grigsby’s first fraudulent and misleading PPP loan application, HSBF approved Grigsby’s loan application for OGA for $20,833.00 causing HSBF to disburse $20,833.00 into OGA’s bank account. As a result of Grigsby’s second fraudulent and misleading PPP loan application, HSBF approved Grigsby’s “Second Draw” loan application causing HSBF to disburse $20,833.00 into OGA’s bank account. Grigsby applied for the two PPP loans despite never intending to use loan funds for a legitimate business purpose. In August 2021, Grigsby filed two PPP loan forgiveness applications containing materially false statements. As a result of these fraudulent loan applications, HSBF forgave OGA’s first and second PPP loans.
For each fraudulent loan and forgiveness application Grigsby submitted on behalf of OGA, Kuawogai assisted Grigsby by providing him with amended and fake documents and explaining the loan application process to him via messaging applications, the phone, and email.
This case was investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office, the Metropolitan Police Department, Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
The case is being prosecuted by U.S. Attorney Rebecca G. Ross
District Woman Pleads Guilty to Defrauding the STAY DC Tenant Assistance ProgramRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Khin Phoo Ngon, 27, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty yesterday in Superior Court to six felony counts arising from her defrauding a Covid-19 tenant assistance program of more than $245,000, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia, FBI Special Agent in Charge David J. Scott of the Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Division, and D.C. Inspector General Daniel W. Lucas.
According to the government’s evidence, to which Ngon admitted in her plea, in 2021 Ngon submitted seven fraudulent applications to the Stronger Together by Assisting You (STAY DC) program, a DC government program established in 2021 to help cover unpaid rent and utilities for renters suffering hardship from the Covid-19 pandemic. At the time she submitted all seven applications, Ngon was the sole tenant of an apartment at 1111 New Jersey Ave SE in the District. Two of her fraudulent applications listed her actual address and stated accurate information about unpaid rent she owed, but falsely stated that her 2020 income was $17,270 and that her projected 2021 income was $12,000. In 2020, however, Ngon had actually received income well in excess of $57,650, the STAY DC program’s minimum qualifying threshold for a household of one, and was on pace to exceed that threshold for 2021 when she submitted both applications.
Ngon also submitted two applications in which she listed her residence as 3210 ½ O Street NW, an apartment she had moved out of in the summer of 2020 with her rent paid in full. Ngon attached a fictitious lease to that application and falsely stated in her application that she was residing at the O Street address and owed 19 months of unpaid rent. Based on that fraudulent application, Ngon received $37,000 from the program.
In her guilty plea, Ngon also admitted to submitting two STAY DC applications in her stepfather’s name without his knowledge or permission. Ngon falsely stated in those applications that her stepfather lived at 3632 N Street NW in the District and owed tens of thousands of dollars in back rent. In fact, Ngon’s stepfather lived in Virginia, and had never lived at that address. Ngon admitted that she attached stolen and doctored documents to both applications, including her stepfather’s expired driver’s license and federal and DC tax return documents. Ngon fraudulently obtained $82,800 from these two applications.
Finally, Ngon admitted to submitting a seventh STAY DC application, on behalf of an associate of hers. Ngon created a fraudulent lease document for an apartment at 450 Massachusetts Avenue NW, falsifying the lease term and monthly rent due. Based on those and other fraudulent representations, the STAY DC program issued Ngon’s associate a check for $78,200. Through a series of transactions involving other individuals, Ngon received at least $38,500 of those funds.
Ngon pled guilty to two counts of First-Degree Felony Fraud, two counts of First-Degree Felony Theft, and two counts of First-Degree Identity Theft. Her plea included the admission that, in total, she defrauded the DC government out of approximately $246,020.
The Honorable Jason Park accepted Ngon’s guilty plea and scheduled sentencing for August 9, 2024.
This case was investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office and the District of Columbia Office of Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Micah Bluming, on detail from the DC Office of the Attorney General to prosecute matters involving fraud and public corruption.
Repeat Offender Sentenced for Narcotics Trafficking and Possession of a Machinegun in a NightclubRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Bryan Rice, 35, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 120 months in prison for trafficking fentanyl and cocaine base in an open-air drug market in Northwest and being in possession of a firearm at a District nightclub, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, FBI Special Agent in Charge David J. Scott of the Washington Field Office’s Criminal and Cyber Division, and Chief Pamela A. Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Rice is one of 20 defendants charged in connection with a wide-ranging investigation centered on drug trafficking in the area of 7th and O Streets Northwest. Rice pleaded guilty January 5, 2024, to conspiracy to distribute narcotics and unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a person convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year. In addition to the 10-year prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Reggie B. Walton ordered Rice to serve four years of supervised release.
According to court documents, Rice, aka “Ice,” sold both fentanyl and cocaine base, including distribution quantities of each, to undercover officers on five occasions between October 20, 2021, and March 24, 2022. When he was arrested on April 25, 2022, Rice was at the Rosebar Lounge, a nightclub on Connecticut Avenue. During an altercation, he was observed by police with a firearm in his waistband. The weapon, a 9mm Glock 17 with 17 rounds in the magazine, had been outfitted with a machine gun conversion device, which is designed to allow the gun to be fired as a fully automatic weapon.
Rice has six prior adult convictions. His first, in 2006, came after he was involved in an armed robbery. His second came less than three years later, after he sold drugs to an undercover officer. Two years after that, he was convicted of possession of a firearm. He was convicted in 2014 and 2019 of additional robbery and theft-related offenses; in one instance, he tried to snatch someone’s phone, and in the other, he was caught trying to steal merchandise from department stores. In April 2022—the same month he was arrested for unlawful possession of a firearm in the instant case—he was convicted of possession of cocaine after he apparently sold someone drugs and was also found to be in possession of drugs for the purpose of distribution.
This case stems from a collaborative investigation by the Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) of MPD’s Violent Crime Suppression Division, the FBI Washington Field Office’s Cross Border Safe Streets Task Force, the Washington Division of the DEA, and the U.S. Park Police. The Cross Border Safe Streets Task Force targets the most egregious and violent street crews operating in the District of Columbia.
The investigation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Solomon Eppel of the Violence Reduction and Trafficking Offenses Section, with valuable assistance provided by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Steven Wasserman and Kevin Rosenberg and former Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Shaunik Panse.
District Man Sentenced to 8 1/2 Years in Prison for ManslaughterRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Eugene Williams, 18, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced yesterday for the February 8, 2022, shooting death of 16-year-old DeShaun Francis, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela A. Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). Williams was sentenced by the Honorable Maribeth Raffinan of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.
Williams previously pleaded guilty on December 6, 2023, to voluntary manslaughter while armed with a firearm. According to the D.C. Voluntary Sentencing Guidelines, Williams faced a sentencing range of seven-and-a-half to 15 years in prison. The U.S. Attorney’s Office requested 15 years in prison. The Court sentenced Williams under the Youth Rehabilitation Act and ordered him to serve eight-and-a-half years of a 10 year sentence, suspending 18 months of prison time. Williams must also serve 18 months of supervised probation, upon release.
According to the government’s evidence, on February 8, 2022, Williams arranged to buy marijuana from a family member of DeShaun Francis. The family member, who was also planning to visit his father after making the sale, asked Mr. Francis if he wanted to ride along. Mr. Francis agreed to come along and was seated in the front passenger seat of the car when Williams came out to inspect the marijuana. Williams initially walked to the driver’s side of the car, briefly interacted with the occupants, and then re-entered an apartment building. A short time later Williams returned to the car with his codefendant, Anthony Greene. Greene approached the driver’s side of the car and Williams then walked to the passenger side of the car, armed with a firearm, and fired one shot into the car, striking DeShaun Francis, who was unarmed, in the head. Thereafter, as Greene and Williams fled the scene, there was an exchange of gunfire between Mr. Francis’ family member and Greene and Williams. Mr. Francis was hospitalized in critical condition until February 11, 2022, when he succumbed to his injuries.
In announcing the sentencing, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Smith commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They also commended the work of former Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Rickard and Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrea Antonelli, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
District Man Pleads Guilty to 2023 Robbery SpreeRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Stephon Lee, 22, of the District of Columbia, pleaded guilty April 19, 2024, to committing a string of six robberies that targeted local businesses, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela A Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Lee pleaded guilty before the Honorable Judge Robert Salerno in Superior Court to two counts of armed robbery, two counts of robbery, one count of attempted armed robbery, and one count of second-degree theft. Lee remains held without bond pending sentencing, which is scheduled for June 28, 2024.
According to the government’s evidence, beginning in April 2023 and ending with his arrest in July 2023, Lee robbed a a dry cleaner, fast-food restaurants, a pharmacy, and two local convenience stores. Lee targeted stores throughout the city, striking when there were few or no customers. In each instance, Lee attempted to steal money from the cash register. But when he could not easily take the money, Lee fought his victims. On two occasions, Lee was armed with a knife, and one occasion he grabbed a nearby pair of scissors.
On April 5, 2023, Lee went to a dry cleaner on Alabama Avenue SE under the auspices of drycleaning his jacket. As Lee asked the victim how much the drycleaning would cost, he suddenly walked behind the counter, grabbed the victim by the back of the neck, and demanded that she open the register. When the victim did not comply quickly enough, the two struggled. Lee grabbed a pair of scissors from under the counter, put them to the victim’s neck, and threatened to stab her if she refused to open the register. She opened the register and Lee took cash before fleeing.
On June 18, 2023, Lee ordered a sandwich at a fast-food franchise on Riggs Road NE, and then left abruptly, saying that he would come back to pay. About 30 minutes later, Lee returned and stood behind a customer who was checking out. Once the employee opened the register to give the customer change, Lee lunged across the counter, grabbed the money tray, and fled the store.
On June 23, 2023, Lee was armed with a knife when he entered a pharmacy on Ingraham Street NE. When the victim, a store employee, was alone, Lee went behind the counter, pulled out a knife, and demanded money from the register. When the victim could not open the register quickly enough, Lee pressed his knife against the victim’s side. The victim opened the register, and Lee took the cash and ran out of the store.
On June 26, 2023, Lee went to a convenience store on First Street NW. As the cashier stood at the register, Lee walked behind the counter, opened the register, took the cash, and fled.
On July 10, 2023, Lee entered a food market on Fourth Street NW. He took an item and attempted to leave the store when a store employee pepper sprayed him. Lee threw the item at the victim, pulled out a knife, and waived it at her. He then grabbed the cash register from the counter and, while still holding the knife, repeatedly slammed the register on the ground until it opened. He took cash from the register and fled.
On July 10, 2023, Lee went to a fast-food restaurant on Marion Barry Avenue SE and milled around as other customers ordered. One customer, with her infant in a stroller next to her, ordered a meal and started to pay with cash. When the restaurant cashier opened the register to give the customer change, Lee lunged across the counter and grabbed cash from the register before fleeing.
This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren Miller and Will Lawrence.
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Armed Special Police Officer Sentenced for Shooting Woman in Northeast WashingtonRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Chanel Clinton, 27, of Alexandria, Virginia, was sentenced today to 36 months in prison, plus an additional 24 months of suspended jail time, for the January 2024 shooting of a woman at a convenience store in Northeast Washington D.C., announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela A. Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Clinton pleaded guilty to one count of assault with a dangerous weapon on February 7, 2024. In addition to the prison term, Superior Court Judge Erik Christian ordered Clinton to serve five years of probation.
According to court documents, on January 18, 2024, Clinton was working as an armed Special Police Officer assigned to the 7-Eleven at 4854 Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenue NE. She and the victim, a former acquaintance of Clinton’s, got into an argument when the victim videoed Clinton in a taunting manner. The two continued their verbal altercation in the parking lot. An off-duty MPD Sergeant happened to be paying for his purchases inside the 7-Eleven when he heard the argument in the parking lot. The sergeant, who was in full uniform, walked outside as Clinton grabbed the victim in the face, and Clinton and the victim began to fight. The sergeant briefly separated the two women. Suddenly, Clinton pulled out her service weapon and fired once, hitting the victim in the shoulder just above the collarbone. The sergeant, who had ordered Clinton to drop her weapon before she fired, immediately placed Clinton under arrest. The victim was treated for minor injuries at a local hospital. Investigators recovered a 9 mm Glock 17 pistol at the scene.
In announcing the verdict, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Smith commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Will Lawrence, who prosecuted the case.
Man Who Stole Rideshare Vehicle Sentenced to Seven Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Derrick Teeter, 23, of Oxon Hill, MD, was sentenced today to 84 months in prison for a carjacking robbery committed in Southeast Washington, D.C., last year, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Jessica M.E. Taylor, of the U.S. Park Police.
Pursuant to a plea agreement, on February 7, 2024, Teeter pleaded guilty in Superior Court to robbery and unlawful use of a vehicle. Today, Superior Court Judge Erik Christian sentenced the defendant to 60 months in prison for robbery, and a consecutive 24 months in prison for unlawful use of a vehicle. The court also denied the defendant’s request for sentencing under the Youth Rehabilitation Act.
According to the government’s evidence, on June 2, 2022, shortly after 11:30AM, the defendant requested a Lyft ride for pick up in the 3800 block of South Capitol Street SE to take him to the 600 block 46th Street SE. Teeter entered the rideshare vehicle and sat in the back seat on the passenger side. While riding in the vehicle, the defendant pretended to feel sick and asked the victim to pull to the side of the road. The victim pulled over to a grassy area, where the defendant exited the vehicle. The defendant requested water and some tissue from the victim. After the victim retrieved these items from his vehicle and returned to attend to the defendant, Teeter pushed the victim to the ground, immediately jumped into the driver’s seat, and took off in the victim’s vehicle. While lying on the ground, the victim grabbed the passenger’s door of his vehicle, yelling for the defendant to “stop”, who kept driving and dragged the victim for a short distance. The victim let go and managed to get up and flag down assistance from other drivers passing by. One of those drivers called 911, and police and emergency personnel arrived on the scene and provided aid to the victim on the scene for his injuries. The vehicle was recovered the next day.
This case was investigated by the United States Park Police Major Crimes Unit with valuable assistance from the Metropolitan Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn Bartz.
Four District Men Indicted on 76 Federal Counts for Armed Carjacking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – A 76-count superseding indictment was unsealed in U.S. District Court today charging four District men with conspiring to commit a total of 33 carjackings in Washington D.C. and Maryland between December 2022, and June 2023. The charges build on a previous superseding indictment that had charged three of the men with 33-counts covering a total of 11 carjackings. The most recent superseding indictment charges Cedae Hardy, 19, and newly added defendant Keyonte Rice, 19, with an attempted carjacking resulting in death where, during a failed January 4, 2023, carjacking, a 39-year-old man was shot and killed in the parking lot of an apartment complex in the 2600 block of Kirkwood Place in Hyattsville, Maryland. The suspect vehicle allegedly used in this homicide, which was taken in another armed carjacking on January 3, 2023 also allegedly committed by Hardy and Rice, was set on fire a few hours after the homicide.
Additional charges include conspiracy to commit carjacking; carjacking; attempted carjacking resulting in serious bodily injury; brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence; conspiracy to commit arson; aiding and abetting; interstate transportation of a stolen vehicle; and possession, sale, or receipt of a stolen vehicle.
The indictment was announced today by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, FBI Assistant Director in Charge David Sundberg of the Washington Field Office, and Chief Pamela A. Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department.
According to the indictment, between December 2022 and June 2023, Cedae Hardy, 19, Landrell Jordan III, 19, Malik Norman, 20, and Keyonte Rice, 19, and other uncharged co‑conspirators, conspired to carjack victims of their vehicles at gunpoint around the District of Columbia and Maryland and to sell the carjacked vehicles for profit or use them in future carjackings.
All four of the defendants are charged with conspiracy to commit carjacking. Hardy, aka “Peso,” is charged, alone and with various members of the conspiracy, in 24 of the carjacking counts. In addition to the January 4, 2023, attempted carjacking resulting in death, alleged to have been committed by Hardy and Rice, Hardy is further charged with attempted carjacking resulting in serious bodily injury for an April 18, 2023, carjacking in Hyattsville, Maryland, in which Hardy allegedly shot a rideshare driver multiple times at close range.
LEAD CHARGES AS OF APRIL 19, 2024
Defendant
Charges
Cedae Hardy
- Conspiracy to Commit Carjacking (1 count)
- Carjacking (20 counts)
- Attempted Carjacking Resulting in Death (1 count)
- Attempted Carjacking Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury (1 count)
- Attempted Carjacking (2 counts)
- Brandishing a Firearm During a Crime of Violence (20 counts)
- 9 Additional Carjackings or Attempted Carjackings Charged as Overt Acts in the Conspiracy
- Conspiracy to Commit Arson (1 count)
Landrell Jordan III
- Conspiracy to Commit Carjacking (1 count)
- Carjacking (3 counts)
- Brandishing a Firearm During a Crime of Violence (3 counts)
- 1 Additional Carjacking Charged as an Overt Act in the Conspiracy
Malik Norman
- Conspiracy to Commit Carjacking (1 count)
- Carjacking (5 counts)
- Brandishing a Firearm During a Crime of Violence (4 counts)
- 1 Additional Carjackings Charged as an Overt Act in the Conspiracy
Keyonte Rice
- Conspiracy to Commit Carjacking (1 count)
- Carjacking (5 counts)
- Attempted Carjacking Resulting in Death (1 count)
- Brandishing a Firearm During a Crime of Violence (5 counts)
- 4 Additional Carjackings or Attempted Carjackings Charged as Overt Acts in the Conspiracy
- Conspiracy to Commit Arson (1 count)
All four defendants are in custody.
Attempted carjacking resulting in death, as charged in this superseding indictment, carries a statutory maximum of life. Attempted carjacking resulting in serious bodily injury carries a statutory maximum of 25 years in prison. Carjacking carries a statutory maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. Brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence carries a mandatory minimum term of seven years in prison. Interstate transportation of a stolen vehicle and sale or receipt of a stolen vehicle each carry a statutory maximum of ten years in prison. Conspiracy to commit carjacking carries a statutory maximum sentence of five years in prison. The charges also carry potential financial penalties. The maximum statutory sentence for federal offenses is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only. The sentence imposed will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
This case is being investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office Violent Crimes Task Force and the Metropolitan Police Department Carjacking Task Force. Valuable assistance was provided by the Prince George’s County, Montgomery County, Takoma Park, and Hyattsville, Maryland, Police Departments.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Meredith Mayer-Dempsey and Paul V. Courtney, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Toth, of the Federal Major Crimes Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Final Defendant Sentenced in Bribery Scheme Involving District Tax OfficialRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Arman Amirshahi, 46, was sentenced today to three years of probation and 200 hours of community service for paying bribes to a District tax official to evade his tax obligations. The sentencing was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, FBI Special Agent in Charge David J. Scott of the Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Division, D.C. Inspector General Daniel W. Lucas, and the D.C. Chief Financial Officer Glen Lee.
Amirshahi was part of one of the several sophisticated and long-term bribery schemes helmed by co-conspirators Anthony Merritt, of Capitol Heights, Maryland, and Vincent Slater, former manager in the D.C. Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR). In furtherance of the schemes, four business owners—including Amirshahi, Charles Zhou, Andre De Moya, and Davoud Jafari – paid cash bribes, through Merritt as middleman, to Slater, to evade their business taxes.
A former employee of the D.C. Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, Merritt held himself out as a permit and licensing expediter and introduced the business owners to the scheme. For a cut of the bribe payments, Merritt handled communications with the business owners. Merritt ferried their cash bribe payments to Slater, and allowed Slater to maintain apparent distance from them as he fraudulently reduced their liabilities or intervened on their behalf within OTR. Slater resigned from OTR in December 2017, concluding the schemes, each of which had lasted over five years. Through their actions, the co-conspirators deprived the District of Columbia of approximately $3 million.
Each of the defendants was convicted for their roles in this conduct. Amirshahi and Zhou pleaded guilty to bribery in January 2019 and February 2019, respectively. In 2019, Slater, De Moya, and Merritt were charged in one indictment, and Slater, Jafari, and Merritt were charged in a second indictment. Slater pleaded guilty post-indictment in June 2020.
In June 2023, a jury convicted De Moya and Merritt of conspiracy, bribery, and wire fraud. In September 2023, Merritt pleaded guilty to the second indictment in which he was charged. In October 2023, the jury convicted Jafari of conspiracy, bribery, and wire fraud.
Merritt was sentenced to 110 months in prison for his central role in facilitating the separate conspiracies. For their respective roles, De Moya received a sentence of 30 months; Slater received a sentence of 27 months; and Jafari received a sentence of 24 months. Zhou, the first co-conspirator to cooperate with the government, was sentenced to five years of probation. Each defendant also was ordered to pay restitution and forfeit their ill-gotten gains, where applicable.
The businesses that benefited from the scheme included the concert venue Echostage as well as downtown bars and nightclubs such as Eyebar (later renamed Eden), Ultrabar, L8 Lounge, Barcode, Café Asia, Umaya, Zeba Bar, and Muse Lounge.
In addition to the probation and community service, Amirshahi was ordered to serve the first year of the sentence under home confinement except for employment, religious ceremony, treatment programs or medical appointments, or emergencies with notification to the probation office.
U.S. Attorney Graves commended the work of the agencies who investigated the case, including the FBI’s Washington Field Office and the District of Columbia Office of the Inspector General. He also credited the substantial assistance from the District of Columbia Office of the Chief Financial Officer, Office of Integrity and Oversight. In addition, U.S. Attorney Graves expressed appreciation for the efforts of Paralegal Specialists Liliana Villamizar, Amanda Rhode, and Mariela Andrade, and former Paralegal Specialists Aisha Keys and Michon Tart.
Finally, Graves acknowledged the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christine Macey, Emily Miller, and Timothy Visser, who prosecuted these cases through trial, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Molly Gaston and former AUSA Amanda Vaughn, who participated in the underlying investigations and earlier court proceedings.
18cr0335
Maryland Man Sentenced to 140 Months in Prison for Attempting to Arrange Sex with a 14-Year-Old ChildRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Jose Eduardo Valasquez, 62, of Solomons Island, Maryland, was sentenced today to 140 months in prison for attempting to meet up with an underaged child in Washington D.C. for sex.
The sentence, in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, FBI Special Agent in Charge David J. Scott of the Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Division, and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Valasquez pleaded guilty to a count of coercion and enticement on December 15, 2023, before U.S. District Judge Tanya S. Chutkan. In addition to the prison term, Judge Chutkan ordered Valasquez to serve 15 years of supervised release and register as a sex offender.
According to court documents, Valasquez began communicating on social media with a person he believed to be a 14-year-old girl on November 16, 2020. In reality, the girl was an undercover officer working with FBI/MPD Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. Valasquez, using an account bearing the username “Jose E V,” initiated a conversation with the undercover officer by sending a message to the effect of “I really like you” in Spanish. Valasquez eventually offered $200 to “be with [her] in bed.”
Valasquez then arranged a November 17 meet-up in Northwest, Washington, D.C, after he got off work at 5 p.m. He sent amorous messages and exchanged text messages about being a 9th grader in high school. On the way to a motel for his expected tryst, Valasquez got a flat tire on I-395 and had to reschedule. Valasquez canceled another planned assignation after he was scared off by police.
On December 14, 2020, Valasquez asked if he could pick up her at 2:30 that day to have sex. At approximately 2:26 p.m., Valasquez asked his correspondent to walk up to 19th and C Street Northeast. Members of law enforcement located Valasquez near the corner of 19th and C Streets Northeast, operating a Toyota Corolla. Police arrested Valasquez at 15th and C Streets Northeast.
Valasquez admitted that he drove from Maryland to the District to have sex with someone he believed was a 14-year-old girl, on the date of December 14, 2020. He arrived at the arranged meet location for the sexual act, only to be confronted by law enforcement and learn that the 14-year-old girl with whom he had been communicating was actually a law enforcement agent. He also admitted that his efforts to entice the person to meet him at locations outside of the District of Columbia were for the purpose of engaging in unlawful sexual activity with a 14-year-old girl.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation/Metropolitan Police Department Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force
It was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Arco and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jocelyn Bond, as well as former Assistant U.S. Attorney Angela Buckner.
23cr223
District Man Indicted on Murder, Assault, and Other Related Charges in July 9, 2023 Slaying of Charles SullivanRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Antwain Ulmer, 19, of Washington, D.C., was indicted yesterday on one count of first degree murder while armed, one count of assault with intent to kill while armed, and other related charges stemming from a July 9, 2023 shooting inside of a convenience store that resulted in the death of 30-year-old Charles Sullivan, U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela A. Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced.
Ulmer was indicted on April 17, 2024, by a grand jury in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia on multiple charges including first-degree murder while armed (premeditated), assault with intent to kill while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license. In addition to indicting Ulmer on first degree murder while armed for firing the shots that killed Charles Sullivan, the grand jury also indicted him for firing a shot that came within inches of striking and injuring or killing an uninvolved shopper that was in the zone of harm created by Ulmer’s conduct.
Ulmer is to be arraigned on April 19, 2024, at a hearing before the Honorable Robert Okun. If convicted, he faces a maximum of ninety years in prison.
This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of criminal laws and every defendant is presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty.
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District Man Indicted on Murder and Assault ChargesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Benjamin Robertson, 33, of Washington, D.C., was indicted yesterday by a grand jury in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia on second degree murder of a senior citizen, assault with a dangerous weapon committed against a minor, fleeing a law enforcement officer, tampering with physical evidence, and destroying property stemming from an event occurring on July 12, 2023, U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Jessica M. E. Taylor, of the United States Park Police (USPP) announced.
Robertson is to be arraigned on April 29, 2024, at a hearing before a Superior Court judge.
According to the government’s evidence, on July 12, 2023, Robertson fled a traffic stop striking and killing Bing Wong and injuring a minor victim. Robertson was located and arrested after investigation by the United States Park Police.
This case was investigated by the United States Park Police and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamie Carter.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of criminal laws and every defendant is presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty.