District of Columbia

WASHINGTON – Thaniyyah Veney, 33, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today by the Honorable Jason Park to 96 months in prison for driving a car into a five-year-old girl who was waiting for a bus with her father in July 2023. The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

            Veney pleaded guilty on December 19, 2023, to aggravated assault while armed with a deadly weapon in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. According to the government’s evidence, with which Veney agreed, on the afternoon of Saturday July 8, 2023, the five-year-old victim was standing with her father on the sidewalk in the 3200 block of Fourth Street, SE in Washington, D.C. At around 1:00 pm, Veney drove her car into the child and her father, and continued traveling until she struck the front steps of a home. When the vehicle stopped, Veney got out and walked to a nearby alley, leaving the child trapped beneath her car. When firefighters arrived, the child was still trapped under the vehicle. Firefighters had to use a ladder as a lever to enable them to raise the car enough to extract the child. The child was then airlifted to the hospital suffering life-threatening injuries.

            Witnesses pointed Veney out to police, who located and arrested Veney hours after the incident,.Veney’s breath was tested and found to contain an alcohol concentration above the per se threshold for intoxication.

            In addition to the prison term, Judge Park ordered Veney to serve five years of supervised release and pay $100 to the Superior Court’s Crime Victims Compensation Fund.

            This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ronald Chester of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, with valuable assistance from Victim/Witness Advocate Jennifer Clark.

WASHINGTON – On April 3, 2024, Darryl Robinson, 37, of Washington, D.C., was indicted by a grand jury in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia on three counts of second-degree theft (felony) and GPS tampering stemming from events occurring between February 4, 2024, and March 10, 2024, U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced.

           Robinson is to be arraigned on April 11, 2024, at a hearing before a Superior Court judge.

            According to the government’s evidence, on February 4, 2024, Robinson went into a CVS in Northwest Washington, D.C., took merchandise from the store shelves, and walked out of the store past all points of sale without paying. He then returned on February 9, 2024 to the same CVS and again took merchandise from the store shelves and walked out of the store past all points of sale. On March 5, 2024, Robinson was seen on ring camera taking a package off the front porch of a residence on 10th Street SE, Washington DC. Robinson was arrested on March 10, 2024, with a failed GPS tampering device. All of the offenses were committed while the defendant was on release in another Superior court case.

            Robinson 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 the 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 37 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 Assistant U.S. Attorney Rana Wahdan.

            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.

WASHINGTON – Michael Alan Hines, 36, of Washington, D.C., was ordered to be detained pending trial today, after the Honorable Heide Hermann found probable cause supported the carjacking and armed robbery charges, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela A. Smith.

           According to the government’s evidence at the preliminary hearing, Hines approached the first victim’s car on March 27, 2024, while she was at the pump of a gas station on Rhode Island Avenue in Northeast Washington, D.C. The defendant first tried to get into her car and, when he found the door locked, he asked the victim for money. She indicated she had none. Due to the victim’s proximity to her car, the doors unlocked automatically, and the defendant got in the driver’s seat. The victim jumped into the passenger seat and tried to stop the defendant, but he began to choke her. While choking the victim, the defendant put the car in reverse and took the victim’s phone from her hands. The victim freed herself and got out of her car. The defendant then abandoned his effort to take the car when he couldn’t drive it.

           An MPD detective responding to that complaint recognized the defendant as the suspect in an armed robbery at the same gas station several days earlier. In that case, the defendant had also walked up to a driver at a gas pump and asked for money before robbing him. The defendant grabbed that victim’s debit card from the pump and, when that victim struggled with the defendant over the card, the defendant threatened the victim with a knife.

           This case is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacqueline Yarbro of the Major Crimes Unit 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.

WASHINGTON – Michael Daniels, 37, of Washington D.C., was sentenced today to 110 months in prison for a series of six armed robberies that struck a dry cleaner, a vape shop, a liquor store, and mobile phone stores in the District during early 2022.

            The sentencing was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Special Agent in Charge Craig Kailimai of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

            Daniels pleaded guilty on December 12, 2023, before U.S. District Judge Rudolph Contreras to a charge of interference with interstate commerce by robbery (also known as a Hobbs Act robbery) In addition to the 110 month prison term, Judge Contreras ordered Daniels to serve three years of supervised release and pay restitution of $1,539. 

            According to court documents, Daniels targeted a variety of commercial businesses between January 28, 2022, and February 13, 2022. Disguised in a mask, Daniels robbed the following businesses at gunpoint:

• January 28, 2022, Capitol Hill Cleaning Emporium, 1100 block of E. Capitol Street, SE

• January 30, 2022, Serv U Liquors, 1900 block of 9th St., NW

• January 31, 2022, Boost Mobile, 1700 block of Columbia Rd., NW

• February 7, 2022, Simple Mobile, 3100 block of Mt. Pleasant St., NW

• February 10, 2022, Havana Tobacco and Vape, 600 block Pennsylvania Ave., SE

• February 13, 2022, Boost Mobile, 3720 Georgia Ave., NW

            Daniels was arrested April 4, 2023, in Washington D.C. His prior convictions include multiple robberies, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a BB gun, an assault while he was incarcerated, and most recently, the second-degree rape of a 12-year-old girl in Maryland for which he is currently serving an 18-year sentence.

            This case was investigated by the MPD and the ATF. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nihar Mohanty and Madhu Chugh.

22cr253

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia expanded its social media reach, launching an account on Instagram.  You can follow us at USAO_DC.

            “Social media continues to dominate our communications channels,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves. “We are hopeful this expansion will help us reach more people in our community - to educate them about who we are as well as about the important work we do.”

            The office Instagram account features photos: related to cases, marking important events, illustrating our work in the community, as well as video messages from the U.S. Attorney and other members of the office. This account is the latest effort to keep the public informed of our work and engaged with us:

• Instagram: @usao_dc (https://www.instagram.com/usao_dc/) 
• X (formerly known as Twitter): @USAO_DC (https://twitter.com/USAO_DC) 
• YouTube: @USAO_DC (https://www.youtube.com/@USAO_DC) 
• Facebook: USAODC (https://www.facebook.com/usaodc/) 

WASHINGTON – Gregory Patterson, 40, of Washington, D.C., was ordered held pending trial following a preliminary hearing today for an armed carjacking and armed robbery that occurred on June 11, 2023. Patterson’s codefendant, Jimmy Johnson, 43, was arrested on March 28, 2024. The charges were announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela A. Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department.

            According to the government’s evidence at the preliminary hearing, on June 11, 2023, the victim was trying to pull into the Kenilworth Market and had driven into an adjacent alley when he saw the driveway block. The alley also had a sign blocking the victim’s path, prompting him to get out to move the obstruction. At that point, Patterson started speaking with the victim, and then punched the victim twice and pushed him to the ground. Patterson then entered the victim’s car and rummaged through it before calling over the three other men who robbed the victim of personal property and tried to take his car. The victim fought off his attackers and they ultimately retreated. The victim subsequently identified Patterson and a second man, Jimmy Johnson, as two of the four attackers.

            Patterson was arrested on February 28, 2024. Today, Magistrate Judge Heide Herrmann ordered Patterson held pending trial and set a status conference for April 9, 2024. Johnson is scheduled to appear for a detention and probable cause hearing on April 9, 2024.

            This case is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory Gimenez of the Major Crimes Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.

WASHINGTON – Karlos Kinney, 24, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty on April 2, 2024, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, to voluntary manslaughter while armed in the April 2020 shooting death of 25-year old Resha Blount and also to assault with significant bodily injury for the November 2022 attack on inmate Jordan Jones while detained at the DC Jail, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela A. Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein scheduled a sentencing hearing for June 21, 2024.

             According to the government’s evidence, just prior to the homicide, Resha Blount, of Washington, D.C., had invited Kinney to her home for the purpose of purchasing marijuana from him. They had known each other from previous such occasions. During this meeting in her home, a dispute arose over the quality and price of the marijuana. When the argument escalated and Ms. Blount demanded that the defendant take his belongings and leave, Kinney pulled out a gun and shot Ms. Blount. Ms. Blount suffered four gunshot wounds and died on the floor of her apartment. 

             While detained at the DC Jail and awaiting trial on the homicide case, Kinney attacked inmate Jordan Jones with a sharp object, wounding him in the upper torso area. Mr. Jones had to be transported to Howard University Hospital and treated there due to the severity of his wounds.

            In announcing the plea, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Smith commended the work of those who investigated the homicide and assault cases from the Metropolitan Police Department and the D.C. Department of Corrections. They also commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rachel Forman, Sara Hanson, and Jin Park, who investigated and prosecuted the homicide case, as well as Assistant U.S. Attorneys  Sabena Auyeung, who indicted the assault case, and Katrenia Shelly, who prepared the assault case for trial.

WASHINGTON – Harold Johnson, 41, of Temple Hills, Maryland, was sentenced today to 84 months in prison for trafficking more than one kilogram of PCP, a dangerous hallucinogenic drug, within Washington, D.C.

            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 Criminal and Cyber Division, Special Agent in Charge Jarod A. Forget of the Washington Division of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and Chief Pamela A. Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department.

            Johnson, aka “Hump,” pleaded guilty on December 15, 2023, before U.S. District Judge Jia M. Cobb to seven counts of distribution of phencyclidine (PCP). In sentencing Johnson, Judge Cobb also ordered five years of supervised release on completion of his prison term.

            According to court documents, Johnson primarily operated on the 2600 block of 14th Street, NE, in the District’s Park Morton area. Between September 2022 and February 2023, law enforcement conducted seven undercover purchases from Johnson, buying a total of approximately 50 ounces (over 1 kilogram) of PCP and 15 grams of fentanyl from him.

            On August 25, 2023, law enforcement agents arrested Johnson in his Maryland home. Federal and state law enforcement executed a search warrant at his residence where they seized $4,840 in cash, three bottles of an unknown liquid, a SIG Sauer P365 handgun with 9 mm ammunition with one round in the chamber and a Taurus 9mm handgun that was found under a mattress in a bedroom.

            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 Division, the DEA, and MPD's Violent Crime Suppression Division. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alicia Long and Shehzad Akhtar.

WASHINGTON – Charles Clark, 67, of Waldorf, Maryland, was sentenced today to life in prison for sexually abusing a young girl entrusted to his care.

            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).

            Clark pleaded guilty on October 11, 2022, to a federal count of coercion and enticement of a minor.  In addition to the life prison sentence, U.S. District Court Judge Carl J. Nichols ordered Clark to serve a lifetime of supervised release and to register as a sex offender.

            In a related case, on March 30, 2023, Clark pled guilty Charles County, Maryland, to one count of sexual abuse a minor/continuing conduct, and one count of sexual abuse of a minor. On December 7, 2023, the defendant was sentenced in Charles County, Maryland, to a term of 45 years in prison.

            According to court documents, in June of 2017, Clark targeted a child under the age of 17 beginning in June 2017, subjecting the girl to repeated rape and sexual abuse for five years. Despite being a “father-figure” to this girl, and despite having helped raise the victim from early childhood, Clark sexually abused the girl between 170 and 200 times. The sexual abuse occurred both at the victim’s residence as well as Clark’s residence in Maryland.

            While the abuse was ongoing, the Clark and the girl would communicate via Instagram direct messaging and the internet. Starting in 2020, the defendant ordered the girl to send sexually explicit images of herself to him, which she did on at least two occasions. Eventually, the girl disclosed the ongoing abuse to her mother, who immediately reported to law enforcement. Law enforcement, with the girl’s permission, then took over her Instagram account and began messaging with Clark. Clark openly acknowledged that he and the girl had been together for five years and that she “gave [him] the most precious thing a woman can give a man.” When asked what that was, Clark responded that the girl gave him her “virginity.” When asked if he was happy he was her “first” at the age of 13, Clark said, “Hell yeah….”  Clark was arrested on April 2, 2021. He has been in custody since.

            This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department’s Youth Division with assistance from the FBI Washington Field Office’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. The task force is composed of FBI agents, along with other federal agents and detectives from northern Virginia and the District of Columbia. The task force is charged with investigating and bringing federal charges against individuals engaged in the exploitation of children and those engaged in human trafficking.

            It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Janani Iyengar, Jocelyn Bond and Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Angela Buckner.

            This case was brought as part of the Department of Justice's Project Safe Childhood initiative. In February 2006, the Attorney General created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorney's Offices, 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 identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

WASHINGTON - A Superior Court jury issued the District of Columbia’s first strangulation trial conviction finding Jeffrey Strange, 29­­, of Washington, D.C., guilty of the offense and other charges related to a domestic dispute.  The incident took place inside an apartment building in Southeast Washington on Labor Day weekend of 2023, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

             On March 29, 2024, a jury found Strange guilty of unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of a prohibited weapon (a “ghost gun”), and destruction of property. Superior Court Judge Jason Park will schedule a sentencing hearing at a later date. Strange faces a mandatory minimum of three years for unlawfully possessing the firearm with a maximum sentence of 15, and up to five years in prison for strangulation. The sentence will be determined by the court after considering all factors.

             According to the government’s evidence, at approximately 11 p.m. on Sep. 3, 2023, Strange began incessantly calling the victim, his former girlfriend, to determine her whereabouts. On Sep. 4, 2023, at approximately 1:30 a.m., Strange met the victim outside of their shared residence and began arguing with her until both entered the elevator of their apartment building, where an altercation ensued. The victim was able to get out of the elevator and into the lobby of the building. Strange followed her, continued to strike her, breaking her glasses, and strangling her by putting his hand on her throat and squeezing. The attack left visible injuries to the victim’s lip and face.

            The defendant fled the scene after a bystander security guard intervened and the victim called 911. Less than an hour later, he returned to the victim’s residence, assaulted her again, and attempted to discard a firearm in her bedroom closet. Police officers from the Metropolitan Police Department returned to the scene and recovered the firearm. Strange was placed under arrest and has been held in custody since. 

            The security guard provided surveillance video, that captured a portion of the assault including Strange strangling the victim. The government’s evidence also included DNA evidence linking Strange to the recovered firearm.

            This trial marks the first jury trial for felony strangulation since the D.C. Council passed the “Prioritizing Public Safety Emergency Amendment Act of 2023,” designating strangulation as a felony offense.*

            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. Attorneys Monisha Rao and Richard Kelley, of the Domestic Violence Unit.

            *Strangulation is widely recognized as one of the most lethal forms of domestic violence. A major strangulation study in San Diego, which is frequently cited, found: “Many victims suffer internal injuries, including permanent brain damage. Signs and symptoms do exist and can be documented even without visible injury… Most abusers do not strangle to kill. They strangle to show they can kill. Victims often suffer major long-term emotional and physical impacts. Surviving victims are much more likely to die later if their abuser has strangled them.” The study also noted that “…..the odds of becoming a victim of attempted homicide increased by 700%, and the odds of becoming a homicide victim increased by 800%, among women who had been strangled by their partner.”

            * Strangulation is widely recognized as one of the most lethal forms of domestic violence. A major strangulation study in San Diego, which is frequently cited, found: “Many victims suffer internal injuries, including permanent brain damage. Signs and symptoms do exist and can be documented even without visible injury… Most abusers do not strangle to kill. They strangle to show they can kill. Victims often suffer major long-term emotional and physical impacts. Surviving victims are much more likely to die later if their abuser has strangled them.” The study also noted that “…..the odds of becoming a victim of attempted homicide increased by 700%, and the odds of becoming a homicide victim increased by 800%, among women who had been strangled by their partner.”

WASHINGTON – Kyle Blanco, 21, of Orlando, Florida, was sentenced today to 71 months in prison for possessing over 1,000 child pornography files and using his iPhone to surreptitiously record women as they used bathroom stalls at American University, 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 Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

            Blanco pleaded guilty on August 17, 2023, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, to a two-count Information, charging him with possession of child pornography and voyeurism. He was sentenced by the Honorable Reggie B. Walton. Following his prison term, Blanco will serve 10 years of supervised release. In addition, Judge Walton ordered Blanco to pay $5,000 in restitution to an identified victim in one of the child pornography files.

            According to court documents, on March 30, 2022, an American University student caught Blanco surreptitiously recording her from an adjacent stall in a gender-neutral bathroom. The victim reported the offense to the American University Police Department, which obtained and executed a search warrant for Blanco’s dorm room. The police seized Blanco’s iPhone and laptop computer pursuant to that warrant. Before law enforcement could search Blanco’s iPhone, however, he remotely wiped it in an effort to obstruct the government’s investigation. Law enforcement was able to search Blanco’s laptop, which contained evidence of additional voyeurism offenses at American University.  It also contained over 1,000 media files constituting child pornography, some of which depict adult men raping prepubescent girls.

One week after his initial appearance in this case, Blanco violated his release conditions by downloading an application frequently used to access child pornography anonymously and by clearing the web history on his phone. Judge Walton revoked Blanco’s release conditions, and Blanco self-surrendered to U.S. Marshals in Orlando, Florida, on June 9, 2023. He has remained in custody ever since.

            The case was investigated by the FBI–MPD Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force with valuable assistance from the American University Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul V. Courtney and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy E. Larson.

WASHINGTON – Marquis Derby, 19, of Washington, D.C., was arrested yesterday and charged by complaint with armed carjacking and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela A. Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). On April 2, 2024, Magistrate Judge Eric Glover found probable cause for these offenses and ordered that Derby remain held pending a preliminary hearing on April 5, 2024.

            According to the arrest warrant, on January 12, 2024, Derby and an unidentified individual carjacked a construction worker at gunpoint when the victim, who was working on a job site in Northeast Washington, D.C., went to retrieve equipment from his truck. As the victim reached into his truck, Derby pressed a firearm into the victim’s back and took the victim’s phone out of his pocket. Derby then demanded that the victim unlock his phone. As he was doing so, a second, unidentified accomplice punched the victim several times in the face and took the victim’s keys. Derby took the victim’s phone and got into an SUV as the unidentified accomplice got into the victim’s truck. When the accomplice was unable to start the victim’s truck, he got into the SUV with Derby, and the two men drove off together.

            This case is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department’s Carjacking Taskforce.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Will Lawrence.

            A complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

WASHINGTON – Elijah Montgomery, 19, of Washington, D.C., was arraigned today on an indictment charging him with armed carjacking and other charges arising out of an October 12, 2023 incident near the corner of Galloway Street and Sargent Road NE, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela A. Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).  

            A Superior Court grand jury returned the eight-count indictment charging Montgomery with armed carjacking, armed robbery, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle during a crime of violence, fleeing, destruction of property, and first-degree theft.  The Honorable Judge Di Toro denied the government’s request that Montgomery be held pending trial, and ordered him released to home confinement pending trial. 

            According to court documents, on October 12, 2023, Montgomery was driving a stolen Kia Rio with a punched ignition when he pulled up next to and blocked in the victim, who was seated in the driver’s seat of his parked vehicle. Two passengers exited the Kia Rio, one of whom pointed a handgun at the victim, and demanded the victim’s cell phone and car keys. The unarmed assailant returned to the Kia Rio and the gunman entered the victim’s car, before fleeing together in the same direction. The vehicles were quickly identified 15 minutes later by the MPD’s Violent Crime Robbery Suppression Unit’s police cruisers and overhead helicopter. Montgomery, who was driving the stolen Kia Rio, fled from police, crashing it in the 2500 block of Benning Road NE. He was apprehended after a brief foot chase. The carjacked vehicle was stopped in Maryland shortly thereafter. At the time the vehicle was stopped, it was being operated by a 13-year-old juvenile.

            This case is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory Gimenez.

WASHINGTON – Auzsa Beatty, 28, of Washington, D.C., was arrested and charged with a carjacking that occurred on the evening of March 11, 2024, in Northeast D.C., announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves.

            Beatty made her initial appearance before Superior Court Magistrate Judge Renee Raymond, on March 21, 2024, where Judge Raymond found probable cause that Beatty committed the offense of carjacking and ordered that Beatty be held without bond pending trial. The United States is still investigating Beatty’s armed accomplice. 

            According to court documents, Beatty was a passenger in a car driven by her male accomplice. After her accomplice ran a stop sign and struck the victim’s vehicle, Beatty got out of the car. When the victim got out of his car, Beatty’s accomplice displayed a firearm, causing the victim to retreat from his door. Beatty then got in the driver’s seat of the victim’s vehicle and drove off. Police later recovered the car parked near Beatty’s home.

            This case is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department and prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.

            Charges are merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

WASHINGTON – Basil Thomas, 21, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced to 10 years in prison for a carjacking and robbery that he committed in Northeast Washington D.C. last year, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela A. Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department.

            On September 6, 2023, Thomas pleaded guilty in Superior Court to carjacking, robbery, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm. On March 25, 2024, Superior Court Judge Erik Christian sentenced the defendant to 84 months in prison for carjacking, consecutive to 36 months in prison for robbery; with concurrent sentences of 60 months in prison for possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and 36 months in prison for unlawful possession of a firearm, pursuant to the parties’ plea agreement

            According to the government’s evidence, with which the defendant agreed at his plea hearing, on March 3, 2023, at approximately 5:35 p.m., the defendant approached his first victim, put a gun to his neck, and demanded his car keys.  The victim reluctantly handed Thomas the keys to his Lexus SUV. Thomas drove that Lexus a short distance away before parking it so he could attempt a second armed carjacking. At approximately, 5:45 p.m., Thomas approached a Toyota SUV that was parked and running in a parking lot near where Thomas parked the Lexus.  The second victim was sitting in the passenger seat of his Toyota when Thomas pointed a gun at him through the driver’s side window.  Thomas then got in the Toyota, put the gun against the second victim’s head and demanded he get out. When the victim refused, a struggle ensued over the gun and Thomas was shot in the leg.

            Thomas fled after being shot, but police were able to identify him and link him to both offenses after he went to a nearby hospital for treatment for his wound. Although the first victim could not identify his assailant, the second victim was able to positively identify him. Police also located the first victim’s Lexus near the second carjacking location. And after the second victim reported the attempted carjacking, police recovered Thomas’s gun and surveillance footage that showed his attempt to carjack the second victim.

            This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department.  It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Emily Kubo and Alec Levy.

WASHINGTON – Donte Mintz, 30, of Southeast Washington D.C., was sentenced today to 72 months in prison for receiving numerous images and videos of child pornography, some of which depicted the rape and torture of real children as young as toddlers.

            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).

            Mintz pleaded guilty to attempted receipt of child pornography on June 14, 2023, before U.S. District Judge Jia M. Cobb. Judge Cobb accepted the guilty plea on April 2, 2024. In addition to the prison term, Judge Cobb ordered Mintz to serve 10 years of supervised release and register as a sex offender. Restitution to Mintz’s victims is to be determined at a later date.

            According to court documents, Mintz possessed, received, and distributed child pornography. Specifically, in October 2020, an employee from Dropbox reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) that there was suspected child sex abuse material (CSAM) found uploaded to Dropbox servers from Mintz’s account. On November 11, 2020, an employee working for the messaging application, KIK, reported to NCMEC that suspected CSAM had been found on its servers as well. KIK reported the user of two KIK accounts – both utilized by Mintz – sent the CSAM to other users through the chat feature of the application at the end of 2020.

            On Thursday, July 8, 2021, law enforcement executed a federal search warrant at Mintz’s apartment in Southeast Washington, D.C. During an interview on this same date, Mintz admitted to sharing, uploading, and viewing child sex abuse material. A review of Mintz’s cellular phones and laptop revealed thousands of files containing CSAM, including more than 230 known and identified victims. Mintz was a member of many online communities where he exchanged and discussed sexual abuse material. He then saved his child sexual abuse material to a Dropbox account and to electronic devices that he could access anywhere.

            This case was investigated by detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Youth and Family Services Division, Internet Crimes Against Children Unit, the Northern Virginia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the FBI’s Washington Field Office.

            It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rachel Forman and Jocelyn Bond, as well as former Assistant U.S. Attorney Angela Buckner.

WASHINGTON – A criminal complaint was unsealed today in the District of Columbia charging Ifediora Oli with conspiring with others to defraud the District of money, property, and the honest services of one of its employees. The charges were announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, FBI Special Agent in Charge David J. Scott of the Washington Field Office, Acting Inspector General Kevin B. Muhlendorf of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Office of Inspector General, and Daniel W. Lucas, Inspector General for the District of Columbia.         

            Ifediora Oli, 41, was arrested this morning at his home in Silver Spring, MD. According to court documents, in addition to maintaining employment with the federal government, Oli is the Principal for Highbury Global Group, Inc. Oli has a long-term relationship with a person identified as Co-conspirator No. 1., who works at the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). Beginning in 2018, Co-conspirator No. 1 used his position at WMATA to steer business opportunities to Oli and Highbury. Another person, referred to in the affidavit as Co-conspirator No. 2, worked at WMATA from 2016 to January 2019, as a contract administrator. While they both worked at WMATA, Co-conspirator No. 1 introduced Co-conspirator No. 2 to Oli. Co-conspirator 2 later moved to the District’s Office of Contracting and Procurement (OCP). At OCP, Co-conspirator 2 helped manage District government contracting activities such as advertising, negotiation, price analysis, bid selection, and contract implementation. 

            In January 2021, OCP began the process of helping the District of Columbia’s Department of Forensic Sciences (DFS) hire a vendor to provide DFS with COVID-19 testing supplies. On January 14, 2021, Co-conspirator No. 2 wrote to potential vendors, including Oli, and invited them to bid on the contract, which was ultimately awarded to Oli and Highbury. 

            The COVID-19 testing supplies contract with Highbury on behalf of DFS was fully executed on February 4, 2021. The total contract amount was $659,099.22. The District of Columbia government ultimately paid Highbury over $630,000 on the COVID-19 testing supplies contract. As the contract was being implemented and ultimately closed out, Oli wired over $140,000 to Co-conspirator No. 1’s personal bank account. Of those amounts, Co-conspirator No. 1 kicked back $15,000 to Co-conspirator 2 in two cash installments, at Oli’s direction.

            The investigation into this matter was conducted by the FBI’s Washington Field Office, with the WMATA Office of the Inspector General and District of Columbia Office of the Inspector General.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Visser of the Fraud, Public Corruption, and Civil Rights Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.

            A criminal complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

WASHINGTON – Stephon Harrigan, 30, and Tavarus Thompson, 30, pleaded guilty this week to their roles in a 2022 spree of approximately three dozen armed robberies and attempted robberies of various commercial establishments, including gas stations, convenience stores, fast-food restaurants, checking cashing businesses, and liquor stores in the District and suburban Maryland.

            The pleas were announced today by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, FBI Special Agent in Charge David J. Scott of the FBI Washington Field Office, and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department.

            Harrigan pleaded guilty on Monday, March 25, 2024, and Thompson pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to interfere with interstate commerce by robbery (also known as Hobbs Act robbery) and possession of a firearm during and in furtherance of a crime of violence before U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton in Washington D.C. Judge Walton scheduled Harrigan’s sentencing for August 1, 2024, and Thompson’s for June 19, 2024.

            Harrigan’s brother, Aaron Harrigan, 28, pleaded guilty on October 3, 2023, to a charge of conspiracy to interfere with interstate commerce by robbery for his participation in four of the robberies. Aaron Harrigan was sentenced to 87 months in prison on September 25, 2023.

            According to court documents, the spree began on January 12, 2022, with the gunpoint robbery of a gas station on 18th Street, NE, Washington, D.C. It ended on March 6, 2022, when law enforcement stopped a stolen car at the intersection of 1st Street and Gallatin Street, NW, and its occupants fled on foot. Stephon Harrigan forced his way into a woman’s vehicle and ordered her to drive him away, but the car collided with an unmarked MPD vehicle. Law enforcement then arrested him.

            In the interim, Stephon Harrigan and/or Tavarus Thompson, along with, at times, other individuals, entered an additional 34 establishments while armed with at least one firearm. In general, they brandished at least one firearm and demanded money. They generally obtained money or other property of the establishments, as well as, at times, property belonging to individuals in the establishments.

­­­­            On March 6, 2022, police captured Stephon Harrigan. Tavarus Thompson was arrested in South Carolina on March 18, 2022, and Aaron Harrigan was arrested on March 29, 2022.

            This case was investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office’s Violent Crime Task Force and the Metropolitan Police Department’s Carjacking Task Force. Valuable assistance was provided by the FBI’s Columbia, South Carolina Field Office, and the Mount Rainier, Maryland; Prince George’s County, Maryland; and Montgomery County, Maryland Police Departments.

            The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Solomon Eppel of the Violence Reduction and Trafficking Offenses section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. Valuable assistance was provided by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew Kinskey and Andrea Duvall, and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel Fletcher.

WASHINGTON – Eddie Tibbs, 34, of Washington, DC, was sentenced today to 73 months in prison for stalking, felony threats, felony destruction of property, misdemeanor destruction of property, and a civil protection order violation, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

            In addition to the prison sentence, Superior Court Judge Erik Christian ordered Tibbs to serve three years of supervised release and a $500 payment to the fund established by the Victims of Violent Crime Compensation Act.

            Tibbs pleaded guilty on January 30, 2024.

            According to the government’s evidence, Tibbs and the victim are former romantic partners, whose relationship ended in 2020. For over a year, the defendant proceeded to stalk, threaten, and intimidate the victim after their relationship broke up. From 2021 until early 2023, the defendant engaged in criminal conduct which included calling the victim’s phone several times and leaving voicemails insisting on speaking with her. Tibbs also threw rocks through the victim’s bedroom window, vandalized her car, showed up at her job unannounced, and threatened her and her family’s life, through phone calls and texts messages from real and fake phone numbers and emails. Tibbs’ dangerous conduct persisted, even after the victim obtained a civil protection order and was forced to move from her residence.

            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 also expressed appreciation for the efforts of all of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Assistant U.S. Attorneys Molly K. Smith and Richard Kelley of the Domestic Violence Unit, who investigated and prosecuted the case.

WASHINGTON – Jamal Matthews, Darnell Savoy, and Stefon Freshley, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty to the December 28, 2018 shooting of a father and son in the Clay Terrace neighborhood of Northeast, Washington, D.C., announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Pamela Smith, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department, and FBI Special Agent in Charge David J. Scott of the Washington Field Office.  The Honorable Michael O’Keefe scheduled sentencing for June 23, 2024.  

            According to the government’s evidence, the victims were in their SUV standing along the curb in the 200 block of 54th Street, Northeast, waiting for a friend to arrive so they could leave to attend a WWE wrestling event. As the victims waited, Matthews saw the SUV and mistook it for the same vehicle that shot at him and his cousin three days earlier. Matthews emerged from the Christmas Day shooting physically unharmed, but his cousin was killed. 

            Upon seeing the victims’ SUV, defendant Matthews immediately called another individual, who then called Freshley. Moments after speaking with that individual, Freshley and Savoy, who were a few blocks away, entered Savoy’s Nissan Altima and drove towards Matthews. Savoy was driving and Freshley was in the front passenger seat when they picked up Matthews at the corner of 54th and Clay Streets Northeast. Matthews got into the back seat of the Nissan Altima. Savoy drove into the 200 block of 54th Street Northeast. As they drove towards and past the victims’ vehicle, Matthews fired approximately 30 shots at the SUV. The minor victim was shot nine times, including in the head, abdomen, chest, and back. The adult victim sustained gunshot wounds to his leg and hand. 

            This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department, FBI and the United States Attorney’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Kimberley Nielsen and Sharon Donovan. 

WASHINGTON – Dayvon Baker, 34, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 12 months and one day in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release for one count of felony second-degree theft. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

            On February 9, 2024, Baker pleaded guilty to one count of felony second-degree theft. At today’s sentencing, Superior Court Judge Lynn Leibovitz sentenced Baker to 12 months and one day in prison.

            According to the government’s evidence, on November 17, 2023, the defendant went up to residences in Northwest Washington, D.C. and stole packages that been delivered to residents’ front doors. Baker was indicted on December 20, 2023, on three counts of felony second degree theft. Baker had multiple prior theft convictions, not from the same occasion, and was therefore subject to enhanced penalties for his alleged theft, including a mandatory minimum sentence of one year in prison.

            In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Smith commended the work of those investigating 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. Attorney Lauren Gaskin, who investigated and prosecuted the case.

WASHINGTON – Joseph Melton, 55, of Washington, DC, pleaded guilty on March 25, 2024, to second degree murder while armed and assault with a dangerous weapon (knife) for stabbing a man, on January 14, 2020, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).  Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe scheduled a sentencing hearing for June 14, 2024. 

            According to the government’s evidence, around 9:10 a.m. on January 14, 2020, Melton approached his first victim in the 1800 block of Connecticut Ave. NW. The victim was approached by Melton, on foot, whom he recognized from college, thirty years ago, but did not know the defendant’s name. As they encountered each other, Melton stated, “do you want me to kill you in a church,” to which the victim asked who he was, and at which point, the defendant pulled out a knife from his pants pocket and attempted to stab him. He was able to escape that attack and Melton fled the scene.

            Later that same day, at approximately 12:33 p.m., another victim encountered Melton in the 800 block of Vermont Ave., NW. This time Melton stabbed the victim in a vicious attack. When officers arrived at the scene, the victim was able to provide the name of his attacker before he lost consciousness. He was transported to a local hospital and has since recovered from his injuries.

            At 2:33 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 2400 block of Virginia Ave., NW, where a man, the same victim who had been attacked by Melton earlier this day, was found suffering from multiple stab wounds to his body. The victim was transported to the hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

            This case was investigated by the Homicide Branch of the Metropolitan Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Liebman.

WASHINGTON – Ahmad Robertson, 32, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 66 months in prison for possession of an illegal “ghost gun” in furtherance of drug trafficking. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Special Agent in Charge Derek W. Gordon, of Homeland Security Investigations -Washington Field Office (HSI-DC), Acting Inspector in Charge Ajay Lall of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service - Washington Division (USPIS), and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

            Robertson pleaded guilty on November 7, 2023, to one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. In addition to the 66 month prison sentence, U.S. District Court Judge Carl J. Nichols ordered Robertson to serve 48 months of supervised release. Robertson has been in custody since June 1, 2023.

            According to court documents, on June 1, 2023, officers from the U.S. Marshals Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force (CARFTF), HSI, USPIS, MPD, and other law enforcement agencies executed a search warrant on Robertson’s home and vehicle on the 100 block of Xenia Street, SE.  Officers ordered the occupants to come out of the residence. After 15 minutes, Robertson exited the premises and police took him into custody. Officers searched Robertson and discovered two baggies of white powder in his pants pockets, which was later determined to be cocaine. Officers then searched Robertson’s vehicle and discovered a digital scale and a “ghost gun,” a privately manufactured AR-style pistol with no serial number, loaded with 28 rounds of 5.56 caliber ammunition.

            When officers searched Robertson’s home, they recovered two additional firearms, extended magazines, assorted rounds of ammunition of various calibers, drug paraphernalia including additional digital scales, a blender with fentanyl residue, and fentanyl.

            This investigation is 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 HSI, USPIS, and MPD. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Will Hart of the Violence Reduction and Trafficking Offenses Section and Trial Attorney Gaelin Bernstein of the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division. Valuable assistance was provided by former Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jordan Leiter.

WASHINGTON – Brian Allison, 54, and Angel Hall, 23, both of Washington, D.C., were charged today by indictment, filed in U.S. District Court, with kidnapping, carjacking, and transportation of a stolen vehicle, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, FBI Special Agent in Charge David J. Scott of the Washington Field Office, and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

            According to the indictment, on February 1, 2024, the pair carjacked the victim, kidnapped the victim, and transported the victim across the state line in the victim’s 2021 Chevrolet Malibu. According to documents filed in D.C. Superior Court, just after midnight on February 2, 2024, the victim reported the incident telling police that just over an hour earlier, the defendants approached as the victim was walking through the parking lot of the Subway food store at 4518 Benning Road, SE.  Defendant Allison had a gun and demanded the victim’s keys. After the victim complied, Allison demanded the victim’s wallet and phone, and then ordered the victim into the car. The defendants drove the victim to a tobacco store in Capitol Heights, Maryland where they used the victim’s bank card to withdraw $500. The defendants drove around for approximately 10 minutes before parking the car in the 5700 block of Southern Avenue Southeast. Before exiting the vehicle, defendant Allison wiped down the interior of the car and the keys, then left the victim in the car and walked away. The defendants are in custody.

            This case is being investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office's Violent Crimes Task Force and the Metropolitan Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Emory Cole and David Lawrence.

            An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

WASHINGTON – The Honorable Errol Arthur sentenced Eric Vaughn, 21, of Washington, D.C., to nine years in prison in connection with an armed robbery in Northwest Washington, D.C., an armed carjacking in Northeast Washington, D.C., and a robbery that occurred in Southeast Washington, D.C. The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

            In February of 2024, Vaughn pleaded guilty in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia to robbery, carjacking, and attempted robbery. According to the government’s evidence, on November 13, 2023, at approximately 3:57 p.m., Vaughn and three other suspects followed the victim from the Shaw Metro station to the 1700 block of 7th Street, Northwest. Vaughn, and the three other suspects, all of whom were wearing masks, approached the victim and demanded the victim’s shoes, while one or more of the suspects pointed a firearm at the victim.  After the victim complied and his shoes were taken, Vaughn and the other three suspects ran down a nearby alleyway.

            The government’s evidence also established that at approximately 7:00 p.m. on November 13, 2023, Vaughn and the three other suspects emerged from a dark, wooded area and approached the victim, who was standing at the back of their car in the parking lot of the Costco located at 2441 Market Street, Northeast. When Vaughn and the three other suspects approached the victim and demanded the keys to the victim’s car, one or more of the suspects Vaughn was with, pointed a firearm at the victim.  When the victim complied, Vaughn took the victim’s car keys and entered the driver’s seat, while the other three suspects also got into the car. Vaughn then drove the victim’s vehicle out of the Costco parking lot. When police attempted to stop the carjacked vehicle near the intersection of 17th Street, NE and C Street, NE, Vaughn refused to pull over and fled from police. An MPD helicopter followed the vehicle as the vehicle fled from police until the vehicle came to a stop in the 100 block of Chesapeake Street SW. At that point, Vaughn and the other three suspects fled from the scene. Vaughn was apprehended nearby and placed under arrest.

            Additionally, on June 28, 2023, in the 2500 block of Alabama Avenue SE, Vaughn, acting alone, attempted to rob the victim of their cellphone. Specifically, the victim was seated aboard a Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Bus when Vaughn approached the victim and snatched the victim’s cell phone out of their hands. Vaughn then ran off of the Metrobus with the victim’s cell phone.  

            In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Smith commended the work of the investigators from the Metropolitan Police Department and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Benjamin Helfand and Rashmika Nedungadi, who investigated and prosecuted this case.

WASHINGTON – Bryant Phillips, 53, of Washington DC, was convicted today of two counts of first-degree sexual abuse, kidnapping, and multiple assault counts. The verdict, announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Pamela A. Smith, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), follows a four-day trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The Honorable Anthony Epstein scheduled sentencing for June 28, 2024.

            According to the evidence and testimony presented at trial, between June 5-8, 2022, Phillips held his intimate partner hostage at his apartment in Northeast Washington DC. While there he physically and sexually assaulted her multiple times causing extensive injuries.

            Phillips faces the potential of life imprisonment without the opportunity of release. If he were to be released, Phillips would be required to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life.

            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. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Niki Holmes and Dana Joseph with assistance from Assistant U.S. Attorney’s Bryan Han.

WASHINGTON – A former District of Columbia Department of Corrections Officer, Marcus Bias, 27, pleaded guilty today in federal court to one count of deprivation of rights under color of law. The plea was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, FBI Assistant Director in Charge David Sundberg of the Washington Field Office, and Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.

            “Corrections officers, like any other member of law enforcement, are sworn to protect the people in their custody,” said U.S. Attorney Graves. “Officer Bias violated this oath and the Constitution when he pushed the head of a handcuffed inmate in his care into a metal doorframe, causing substantial injuries to the inmate. Such abuses of power will not be tolerated and this Office, along with our federal partners, will investigate and charge any member of law enforcement who deprives a citizen of their civil rights.”

            “When corrections officers carry out acts of violence against those who are entrusted to their care, they will be held accountable,” said Assistant Attorney General Clarke. “The Justice Department will continue to prosecute those who abuse their authority, while standing up for the civil rights of the victims of these crimes.”

            “One of the FBI’s core missions is to protect the civil rights of every person within the United States,” said Assistant Director in Charge Sundberg. “Law enforcement officers are given authority and responsibility, but if they abuse that power, they will be held accountable for those actions. Today’s plea is an example of the FBI and our partners at the D.C. Department of Corrections working together to ensure that no one is above the law and that justice is served.”

            According to court documents, Bias pushed a handcuffed detainee’s head into a metal doorframe while escorting him within the Department of Corrections on June 12, 2019, resulting in injury to the detainee, J.W. Specifically, intentionally and without provocation, Bias, who was holding J.W., pushed J.W.’s head into the doorframe while J.W. was handcuffed behind his back, suffering from the effects of O.C. spray, surrounded by five other officers and compliant with transport. J.W. sustained significant injuries, which required outside emergency medical attention.

            A sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 28, 2024. Bias faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. A federal district court judge will determine the sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

            The FBI Washington Field Office investigated the case.

            Trial Attorney Anna Gotfryd of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section, Rebekah J. Bailey, formerly a Trial Attorney with the Criminal Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Truscott for the District of Columbia are prosecuting the case.

A former District of Columbia Department of Corrections Officer, Marcus Bias, 27, pleaded guilty today to one count of deprivation of rights under color of law.

“People held inside our jails and prisons should never be subject to the kind of violent and unjustified assault that was carried out by this corrections officer,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This defendant violently rammed an inmate’s head into a metal doorframe while he was handcuffed and posed no threat. When jail officials violate their oath and betray the trust placed in them by abusing people in their custody, the Justice Department will investigate and prosecute these offenses and will stand up for the civil rights of the victims of these crimes.”

“Corrections officers, like any other member of law enforcement, are sworn to protect the people in their custody,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia. “Officer Bias violated this oath and the Constitution when he pushed the head of a handcuffed inmate in his care into a metal doorframe, causing substantial injuries to the inmate. Such abuses of power will not be tolerated and this office, along with our federal partners, will investigate and charge any member of law enforcement who deprives a citizen of their civil rights.”

“The defendant, a former corrections officer, pushed a handcuffed inmate’s head into a metal doorframe, causing significant physical and emotional distress,” said Assistant Director Michael D. Nordwall of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. “Today’s guilty plea is another example of prison officials who have been held accountable for civil rights violations, and the FBI remains committed to protecting the dignity and civil rights of individuals in custody. We will continue to investigate violations under color of law and work with our partners to hold responsible anyone who commits these crimes.”

“One of the FBI’s core missions is to protect the civil rights of every person within the United States,” said Assistant Director in Charge David Sundberg of the FBI Washington Field Office. “Law enforcement officers are given authority and responsibility, but if they abuse that power, they will be held accountable for those actions. Today’s plea is an example of the FBI and our partners at the D.C. Department of Corrections working together to ensure that no one is above the law and that justice is served.”

According to court documents, Bias, intentionally and without provocation, pushed a detainee’s head into a metal doorframe while escorting him within the Department of Corrections on June 12, 2019, causing serious injuries. At the time, the detainee, J.W., had his hands handcuffed behind his back, was suffering from the effects of O.C. spray, was surrounded by five other officers and was not resisting. J.W.’s injuries required outside emergency medical attention.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 28. Bias faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. A federal district court judge will determine the sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The FBI Washington Field Office investigated the case.

Trial Attorney Anna Gotfryd of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section, Rebekah J. Bailey, formerly a Trial Attorney with the Criminal Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Truscott for the District of Columbia are prosecuting the case.

WASHINGTON – Mussay Rezene, 31, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced to 45 years in prison, yesterday, by the Honorable Robert D. Okun, for first-degree murder while armed in the shooting death of 17-year-old Brayan Villatoro, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves. The murder took place in an alley in Northwest Washington.  

            Rezene was found guilty in January, following a jury trial. According to the government’s evidence, at approximately 9 p.m. on September 18, 2021, Brayan Villatoro was riding in a vehicle with a group of friends heading to a family party. On the way, the victim asked the driver to make a stop so he could meet with someone at the 1300 block of Nicholson Street Northwest. Once they arrived at the location, the victim got out of the vehicle and waited in front of an apartment building. The defendant arrived a short time later in a vehicle that, later, proved to be stolen. Rezene led the victim into a nearby alley. Moments later, shots rang out and the 17-year old victim was hit with eight bullets. Rezene fled the area as did the victim’s friends.  Officers arrived at the scene a short time after the shooting and discovered that Brayan Villatoro had succumbed to his injuries.

            Rezene was identified in surveillance video as wearing distinct shoes and clothing. These same shoes were later seen in a photograph of Rezene along with two other individuals, which was posted on social media after Mr. Villatoro’s murder. Cell-site data also showed Rezene was present both at the scene of the murder and along the path of the stolen vehicle.

            This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, along with members of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives who assisted with evidence recovery and cell site data analysis and testimony.  U.S. Attorney Graves also thanked others who worked the case, including: Paralegal Specialist Mabry Johnson, Lead Paralegal Specialist Sharon Newman, Victim Witness Advocate Karina Hernandez, Supervisory IT Specialist Leif Hickling, Supervisory Victim/Witness Services Coordinator Katina Adams-Washington, Victim/Witness Services Coordinator Maenylie Watson, and Intelligence Analyst Zachary McMenamin. Finally, he commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dennis Clark and Colleen Kukowski, who prosecuted the case.   

WASHINGTON – A fifth defendant was arrested this morning as part of an 11-count indictment, filed in U.S. District Court, connected to the December 13, 2023, robbery of nearly three dozen firearms – which included handguns, rifles, and shotguns – from a pawn shop in Glen Burnie, Maryland that is a Federal Firearms Licensee. The indictment was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Special Agent in Charge Craig Kailimai of the ATF’s Washington Field Division, and Chief Pamela A. Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department.

            Earlier today, agents with the ATF and officers from MPD arrested defendant Tyjuan McNeal, 27, of Washington, D.C. Charged in the conspiracy with McNeal are: Vincent Lee Alston, aka “Vedo,” 22, Juwon Markel Anderson aka “Peezy,” 21, and Niquan Odumn, aka “Stickz” and “Debo,” 22, all of Washington, D.C., and Cy’Juan Hemsley, aka “Juan,” 18, of District Heights, Maryland. Alston and Anderson were arrested December 15, 2023. Hemsley and Odumn are also in custody. The charges include conspiracy to commit firearm trafficking, conspiracy to commit theft from a federal firearms licensee, unlawful possession of stolen firearms, unlawful possession of firearms by a convicted felon, and interstate transportation of a stolen motor vehicle.

            “These defendants allegedly conspired to steal dozens of firearms from a licensed dealer and to illegally flood our community with them,” said U.S. Attorney Graves. “The spread of illegal firearms is like the spread of a virus; when there are more illegal guns in the community, more people will get hurt. We appreciate the efforts of our partners at ATF and MPD to stop these firearms from hitting our streets.”

            “This group of individuals was looking to make a quick profit by filling the streets of D.C. with firearms and arming the sort of people who aim to destroy our communities,” said Special Agent in Charge Kailimai. “But, today, we derailed that plan by arresting a fifth member involved in this scheme, all while seizing more of the stolen firearms. We will continue protecting the public from the proliferation of illegal guns.”

            According to the indictment, one of the goals of the conspiracy was to transport stolen firearms from the Maryland pawn shop into the District, and then sell or transfer the stolen firearms to other individuals. The indictment further alleges that on December 13, 2023, the five men broke into the pawn shop with a portable saw and a crowbar. They collected 34 firearms and traveled back to Washington D.C. in a stolen red sedan. Later that day, a co-conspirator attempted to sell some of the stolen guns. Hemsley reached out to an associate stating that “I got u a gift” and “I got u a missile” while sending a video of two firearms. On December 14, 2023, one of the co-conspirators transferred four of the firearms – which included two Smith & Wesson M&Ps; a Glock 47, 9mm; and an FN, FNX 45 – to an unknown third party.

             This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Metropolitan Police Department, with assistance from the ATF Baltimore Field Division. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shehzad Akhtar and Ryan Lipes.

            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.

WASHINGTON – Raekwon Sutton, 26, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced on Thursday, March 21, 2024, to 17 years in prison for a shooting that took place in Southeast Washington on March 19, 2022, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela A. Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). Sutton was found guilty of multiple assault and firearms-related offenses following a trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia before the Honorable Lynn Leibovitz. Sutton was found guilty following a jury trial on October 3, 2023.

            According to the government’s evidence, Sutton went to his ex-girlfriend’s apartment armed with a handgun. In a fit of rage, he fired ten rounds at the front door of the apartment while two family members were inside. A few hours before the shooting, Sutton sent multiple text messages and voice messages threatening to shoot at the apartment. Shortly after the shooting, Sutton sent additional messages threatening to return to the apartment and fire additional shots.

            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 also expressed appreciation for the assistance provided by the U.S. Marshals Service. They acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Platt, Paralegal Specialists Nancy Murillo and Tiffany Fogle, and Victim/Witness Advocate Lu Lan. 

            Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Yasmin Emrani and Brian Yang, who investigated and prosecuted the case.

WASHINGTON – Dominic Copeland, 33, of Washington D.C., was sentenced today to 132 months in prison for assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault while armed, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

            A jury found him guilty on September 21, 2023. In addition to the prison term, Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan ordered Copeland to serve five years of supervised release.

           According to the evidence presented at trial, on April 26, 2019, the victim drove to a local fast-food restaurant after work to meet Copeland. After he was directed to follow Copeland’s car to the area of N Street and First Street NW and park, the victim entered the back seat of the car Copeland occupied and handed him money. Copeland took the victim’s money and, afterwards, a dispute occurred between them. The victim exited and returned to his own car and got in the driver’s seat. Copeland then exited the car he was in, pulled out a handgun, and shot at the victim multiple times. The victim began to drive away but was hit twice in the upper back and crashed into multiple parked cars before finally coming to rest on the side of the street. MPD officers immediately responded to the scene and found that the victim was unable to physically move because he was temporarily paralyzed by one of the bullets. The victim promptly identified his shooter to police as “Dominic,” whom he knew from work and, up to that point, had considered a friend. Police recovered six fired cartridge casings from the scene. Two bullets entered the victim’s upper back, with one puncturing his lung causing a severe medical emergency. The treating physician declared that bullet would have resulted in the victim’s death had he not received prompt medical care. Doctors left the bullets inside the victim’s body after determining that it would cause even more injury to attempt to remove them. 

            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 also expressed appreciation for the assistance provided by the U.S. Marshals Service and acknowledged the efforts of all of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rachel Forman, Seth Gilmore, Gregory Kimak, and Paul Courtney, Paralegal Specialist Debra McPherson, and Supervisory Paralegal Specialist Renee Prather.

            Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Saman Danai and Richard Carlton, who investigated and prosecuted the case.

WASHINGTON - Antoine Lynch, 37, of Washington, DC, pleaded guilty today to second degree murder while armed for the fatal shooting of Devonte Maxwell, 30, of Southeast Washington, D.C., announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).  Superior Court Judge Robert Okun scheduled a sentencing hearing for June 7, 2024. 

            According to the government’s evidence, around 7:54 p.m. on May 11, 2023, Lynch and two other individuals approached the victim, on foot, as he was walking down the sidewalk on Prout Street, Southeast, Washington, D.C.  When they were about to pass each other, the defendant pulled out a gun and shot Mr. Maxwell several times. Mr. Maxwell was treated at the scene but died from his injuries a short time later. Mr. Maxwell and Lynch had previously gotten into a verbal dispute when Mr. Maxwell was walking by Lynch’s residence earlier that same day. Surveillance video captured the prior dispute and the murder.

            This case was investigated by the Homicide Branch of the Metropolitan Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Ganjei.

WASHINGTON – Donnie Wise, 27, a repeat felon from Washington D.C., pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to possessing two illegal firearms and distribution quantities of cocaine base and cocaine at his Southeast apartment, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves; ATF Special Agent in Charge Craig Kailimai, of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives - Washington Division; and Chief Pamela A. Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

            Wise pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Randolph D. Moss to unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a person convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, and unlawful possession with intent to distribute cocaine base. Judge Moss scheduled sentencing for July 10, 2024.

            According to court documents, on January 18, 2023, at about 6 a.m., members of the MPD’s Violent Crime Suppression Division executed a search warrant at Wise’s apartment on the 1900 block of 18th Street, SE. Law enforcement found Wise sitting inside his bedroom. Once handcuffed, Wise told police he was the only one who resided in the apartment. The kitchen was filled with drug making equipment that included digital scales, baking soda, empty zip lock bags.

            Officers searched Wise’s bedroom and, next to his bed, recovered a Zastava Arms ZPAP92 7.62 x 39mm firearms with 30 rounds in the magazine and one in the chamber. Officers also located a Glock 17, 9 mm pistol in the same room with 26 rounds in the magazine and one round in the chamber.

            Police additionally recovered a 50-round magazine containing 15 rounds, a Zigana gun box containing two magazines, 39 rounds of .40 caliber ammo, a baggie containing empty yellow pill capsules, 21 grams of cocaine base, and 85 grams of cocaine on a shelf over a television. DNA linked Wise to the Glock 17.

            Wise faces a maximum penalty of 15 years imprisonment on the felon in possession charge and up to 20 years for distributing cocaine base. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

            This case was conducted under the auspices of Project Safe Neighborhoods and investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department’s Violent Crime Suppression Division in concert with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shehzad Akhtar.

WASHINGTON – Griselda Martinez-Moz, 42, of Maryland, was convicted today of two counts of first-degree child sexual abuse with aggravating circumstances. The verdict, announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela A. Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), follows a seven-day trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The Honorable Michael O’Keefe scheduled sentencing for June 14, 2024.

             According to the evidence and testimony presented at trial, on two occasions in 2015 and 2016, Martinez-Moz sexually abused a child who was eight years old at the time. A close friend of the child’s family, Martinez-Moz, on multiple occasions, subjected the child to sexual acts.

            Martinez-Moz faces the potential of life imprisonment without the opportunity of release. If she were to be released, Martinez-Moz would be required to register as a sex offender for the remainder of her life.

            This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kathleen Houck, Niki Holmes, and Dana Joseph, with assistance from Assistant U.S. Attorneys Felice Roggen and Bryan Han.

WASHINGTON – On Wednesday, March 20, 2024, Shawn Hunter, 28, of Washington, D.C., was indicted by a grand jury in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia on one count of second-degree theft (felony) with offense committed during release enhancement, stemming from events occurring on February 27, 2024, U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced.

            Hunter is to be arraigned on March 20, 2024, at a hearing before a Superior Court judge.

            According to the government’s evidence, on February 27, 2024, Hunter took a range of merchandise without paying from the Target store located at 3505 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C.  Hunter was quickly located and arrested by the Metropolitan Police Department.    

            Hunter 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 36 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 Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Campbell.

            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.

WASHINGTON – On Wednesday, March 20, 2024, Michael Smith, 26, 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 October 6, 2023, U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced.

          Smith is to be arraigned on April 8, 2024, before a Superior Court judge.

          According to the government’s evidence, on October 6, 2023, Smith stole several items from a CVS store on Georgia Avenue in Northwest, Washington, DC, by putting store merchandise into a bag in the store before walking out.    

          Smith 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 36 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 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.

WASHINGTON – On Wednesday, March 20, Travon Carter, 31, 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 27, 2024, U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced.

            Carter is to be arraigned on April 4, 2024, at a hearing before a Superior Court judge.

            According to the government’s evidence, on February 27, 2024, Carter entered the CVS located at 1781 Florida Avenue NW, Washington, DC; took numerous items for sale; and left the store without paying. Carter was later located and arrested after investigation by the Metropolitan Police Department.

            Carter has more than two 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 36 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 Megan Wessel.

            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.

WASHINGTON – Tyron Hines, a repeat felon with a long history of weapons offenses, was sentenced today to 72 months in prison for illegal possession of a Smith and Wesson M&P polymer pistol while also in possession of a significant quantity of deadly narcotics.

            The sentencing was announced today U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Special Agent in Charge Craig Kailimai of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

            Hines, 32, pled guilty on October 16, 2023, to carrying a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. In addition to the 72-month prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Rudolph Contreras ordered Hines to serve 3 years of supervised release.

            According to court documents, Hines was most recently arrested the evening of June 4, 2023. Two MPD officers were on patrol in a marked cruiser in Southeast when they observed a large group singing and dancing on the 2200 block of Savannah Terrace, SE. As the officers approached the group, Hines quietly peeled off from the crowd with his head down. The officers followed and tried to gain Hines’ attention. Hines ignored them, turned behind a black SUV, and placed a metallic object under the vehicle. Then Hines began to run. The two officers gave chase. One paused to look under the SUV where he recovered a black Smith and Wesson MP9 M 2.0 with 11 rounds of ammunition in a magazine that could hold 17 rounds. Later tests determined the pistol had been stolen from Prince George’s County in March 2020.

            Officers stopped Hines on the 2100 block of Savannah Terrace SE and searched him. Hines was carrying 20 suspected fentanyl pills and a bag of a white rock-like substance that weighed 26 grams, nearly an ounce. The substance field-tested tested positive for crack cocaine. Officers also recovered $920 in cash. Based on the quantity of narcotics, the lack of drug paraphernalia, and the wad of cash, it appeared that Hines possessed the drugs with the intent to distribute rather than for personal use. The arrest marked the fifth time Hines had been charged in connection with unlawful possession of a firearm in fewer than 15 years.

            About two weeks before, on May 13, 2023, following an early morning shootout at a Dupont parking garage, Hines drove a wounded friend in his black BMW sedan and parked at a hospital. When officers arrived, they found Hines’ BMW and spotted a black Glock 35 .40 caliber handgun with a 29-round magazine on the floor. A subsequent search of the car turned up a second firearm underneath the driver’s seat: a tan Glock 19 mm handgun with one bullet in the chamber and 15 rounds loaded in the 17-round magazine. Additionally, the Smith and Wesson was found to have been outfitted with a “giggle switch,” a device that converts a semi-automatic into a fully automatic machinegun. The Government does not believe that either firearm recovered from Hines’ BMW belonged to Hines that evening.

            On June 28, 2023, in a search of Hines’ apartment on Kenilworth Terrace NE, MPD officers recovered a loaded Del-Ton Inc. AR-15 style 5.56 rifle, a ballistic vest, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.

            Hines has previously been convicted of offenses carrying a maximum term of imprisonment of greater than one year. On February 5, 2010, Hines was sentenced to 24 months on charges of assault with a dangerous weapon and two counts of assault with significant bodily injury after shooting into a crowd of 50 people and seriously wounding three of them. On April 13, 2018, Hines was sentenced in D.C. Superior Court to 24 months’ imprisonment for unlawful possession of a firearm (prior conviction). And on January 11, 2021, Hines was sentenced in D.C. Superior Court to 18 months on a similar charge. Hines was on supervised release for that case at the time of his arrest for his most current offense.

            This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Metropolitan Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron Tepfer.

WASHINGTON – Floyd Neal, 32, of Washington D.C., pleaded guilty yesterday to his role in a rash of 2021 gunpoint robberies of pharmacies in Maryland and Virginia, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and FBI Special Agent in Charge David J. Scott of the FBI Washington Field Office.

            Neal pleaded guilty on March 18, 2024, before U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson to three counts of interference with commerce by robbery and aiding and abetting (also known as Hobbs Act robbery). He also pleaded guilty to using, carrying, and possessing a firearm during a drug trafficking offense. Judge Berman Jackson scheduled sentencing for June 21, 2024.

            According to court documents, on February 14, 2021, Neal and two co-conspirators traveled from the District to a pharmacy in Henrico, Virginia. Neal approached the pharmacy counter, brandished a firearm, and ordered the pharmacist to hand over codeine, hydrocodone, and oxycodone. Neal held one employee at gunpoint while a co-conspirator demanded the pharmacist open the prescription safe. After grabbing prescription narcotics and amphetamines, they fled in a red SUV driven by another co-conspirator.

            On March 25, 2021, Neal and a co-conspirator traveled from the District to a pharmacy in Alexandria, Virginia. They entered the store wearing yellow construction vests and posed as customers by grabbing beer. Then the co-conspirator shouted “Give me all the money. Oh, you think I’m playing,” as he reached toward his waistband to indicate that he had a firearm. The men ordered two employees into the store’s office before taking between $7,000 to $10,000 from the safe. The men fled in a 2005 silver sedan.

            On March 31, 2021, Neal and his co-conspirators drove to a pharmacy in Beltsville, Md. Neal’s co-conspirator went behind the store counter, grabbed a store employee, and demanded the code to the store’s safe. While the robbery was in progress, the store’s manager entered the store. Neal’s co-conspirator forced the store’s manager into the back office where Neal was watching the other employee. Neal’s co-conspirator forced the manager to open the safe and then stole the contents. Neal remained at the front of the store where he emptied the contents of the cash registers. The trio then fled in a dark sedan with silver trim.

            On April 1, 2021, Neal and a co-conspirator traveled to a pharmacy in Manassas, Virginia. One employee locked herself in the back office. Another employee ran to the front where the co-conspirator grabbed them by the neck. Threatening the employees, Neal ordered one to give him “percocets and oxys” or else he would hurt them. Neal also demanded the employee open the cash registers. Police arrested Neal and the co-conspirator after fleeing the pharmacy. A search revealed Neal had been in possession of a loaded 9mm Hipoint C9 firearm. Each of the pharmacies robbed by Neal is part of a national chain of retailers and the robberies affected interstate commerce.

            Neal faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison on each Hobbs Act robbery count and a maximum of life in prison for using a firearm during a drug trafficking offense. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

            This case was investigated by the FBI Violent Crimes Task Force with valuable assistance from local law enforcement in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua Gold and Cameron Tepfer.

WASHINGTON – Keith Jones, 27, of Washington D.C., pleaded guilty today for participating in a long-running drug trafficking conspiracy that distributed fentanyl throughout the District of Columbia, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and FBI Special Agent in Charge David J. Scott of the FBI Washington Field Office.

            Jones, a member of the violent No Rats Allowed crew, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Carl J. Nichols to conspiring to distribute 40 grams or more of a mixture containing fentanyl and unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a person convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year. Judge Nichols scheduled sentencing for June 10, 2024, where he will face a five-year mandatory minimum sentence. At the time of the trafficking offenses, he was on supervised probation for a robbery conviction out of Prince George’s County, Maryland.

            The plea follows a lengthy investigation by the Metropolitan Police Department’s Narcotics Enforcement Unit (NEU), FBI’s Washington Field Office, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. The law enforcement partnership identified a crew of young men operating within on the 200 block of K Street, Southwest, with firearms, large amounts of U.S. currency, and illegal narcotics. The members of the group wore matching insignia on clothing printed with “NO RATS ALLOWED” or “N.R.A.” Jones, aka “Chief,” and other members of the N.R.A. crew used several townhouses on the block as stash locations or “trap houses” for narcotics and firearms. Many of Jones’ N.R.A. associates have been arrested and successfully prosecuted for firearms offenses and the possession and distribution of counterfeit pills containing fentanyl. 

            The government’s investigation showed from October 2021 to October 2023, Jones relied heavily on social media to both make connections with other drug dealers to conduct sales of illegal substances to individual customers and N.R.A. crew members. On his Instagram account and cell phone, investigators found evidence showing Jones’ trafficking of crack cocaine, promethazine, and wholesale quantities of counterfeit pills containing fentanyl and marijuana.  Furthermore, the digital evidence showed that Jones was aware that at least some of the counterfeit pills he sold contained fentanyl, was warned by another drug dealer that certain pills he was selling might contain lethal amounts of fentanyl, and knowingly distributed the pills with full knowledge they might harm or kill customers.

            Metropolitan Police Department officers arrested Jones on October 28, 2023, following a foot chase, during which he discarded a firearm in the lobby of the Capitol Park Plaza Apartments in Washington D.C. That firearm discharged as he tossed it and the bullet struck a glass window in the lobby of the apartment building, narrowly missing two security guards that were feet away from him.  

            This case was investigated by the FBI’s Violent Crimes Task Force, with valuable assistance from the Metropolitan Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin F. Song.

WASHINGTON – On Friday, March 15, 2024, Steven Metts, 18, Keondre Carroll, 21, and Jovontae Wallace, 19, all of Washington, D.C., were indicted by a Superior Court grand jury for first-degree murder while armed for the shooting death of Raymond Ballard on January 23, 2024 and the armed kidnapping and robbery on a Metrobus related to a January 24, 2024 offense in Southeast Washington, D.C., announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), Chief Michael Anzallo of the Metro Transit Police Department (MTPD), and Special Agent in Charge Craig Kailimai of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Washington Field Division. 

            The sixteen-count indictment charges Metts, Carroll, and Wallace with one count of first-degree murder while armed, two counts of kidnapping while armed, one count of armed robbery, and four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.  Both Metts and Carroll are each additionally charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and other related firearms charges. The defendants were presented before the Honorable Heidi Hermann who ordered that all three defendants be held without bond pending trial.  

            According to the government’s evidence, at approximately 9:00 p.m. on January 23, 2024, the defendants drove their vehicle into the 3000 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE and fired approximately 29 shots, striking Raymond Ballard, an innocent bystander at the E-Z Mart. On January 24, 2024, the defendants drove that same vehicle into the 4600 block of Livingston Road SE and attempted to rob an individual of a Moose Knuckle jacket. When that individual fled onto a Metrobus, the defendants followed the Metrobus, boxing in the Metrobus at the intersection thereby restraining its movement. Two of the three defendants then exited the vehicle with firearms, boarded the bus, and took the victim’s Moose Knuckle coat. The defendants then exited the bus, got back into the vehicle, and began driving away while shooting at the bus.  

            This case is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department, Metro Transit Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emma McArthur 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.

WASHINGTON – Morez King, 34, of Washington D.C, was sentenced today to 120 months in prison for amassing an enormous collection of child pornography on 10 different devices that held 10,000 images depicting the sexual exploitation of very young children, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Special Agent in Charge Derek W. Gordon of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C.

            King pleaded guilty on February 13, 2023, to one count of possession of child pornography, his second conviction for this offense in less than a decade. In addition to the 10 year prison sentence, U.S. District Court Judge Rudolph Contreras ordered King to serve 10 years of supervised release and to pay $88,000 in restitution to many of his child victims.

            According to court documents, King first made contact with an undercover agent with Homeland Security Investigations in January 2020. King, aka “pervboi3” and “xmarcoboi,” chatted with an undercover agent over a social media app, then sent the agent graphic videos of child sexual abuse from a New Zealand-based website.

            On December 15, 2021, HSI Special Agents and officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPDC) served a search warrant and subsequently searched King’s residence in Northeast Washington D.C. In the home, agents recovered two SD memory cards, four cellular telephones, two tablets, one laptop, and a MicroSD card reader belonging to King. Taken together, the defendant’s devices contained well over 10,000 images of child sexual abuse materials. Specifically, a Samsung Galaxy S20 held approximately 1,000 videos depicting the sexual abuse. King’s Samsung Galaxy S20 phone also had the Telegram application downloaded onto it. King used that application, which allows individuals to use encryption to send messages, to trade photographs and videos depicting the abuse of children. Further, King’s Galaxy S9 cell phone stored approximately 8,700 images depicting child sexual abuse, while an HP laptop recovered from the residence held about 1,800 videos depicting child sexual abuse. At the time that King possessed and distributed the images described above, he already had been convicted in 2015 in Fairfax County, VA, for possession of obscene material with a minor.

            More than 20 victims have filed Victim Impact Statements in this case, and 14 of the victims submitted requests for restitution with the court.

            This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, Washington, DC. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jocelyn Bond and Janani Iyengar, with valuable assistance from the Metropolitan Police Department.

WASHINGTON – Isaac Akinduro, 27, of Washington D.C, was sentenced today to 41 months in prison for his role in a sophisticated conspiracy that was responsible for bringing hundreds of pounds of marijuana from California to the metropolitan area, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and FBI Special Agent in Charge David J. Scott of the FBI Washington Field Office’s Criminal and Cyber Division.

            Isaac Akinduro, a member of the “LA Dank DMV Crew” who was also known as “Benji” or “Black,” pleaded guilty on October 11, 2023, to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana. In addition to the prison sentence, U.S. District Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly ordered Akinduro to serve three years of supervised release.

            All LA Dank crew members have pleaded guilty to marijuana conspiracy and related firearms charges. 

• Abubakr Banire, aka “Swave,” is set to be sentenced on June 24, 2024, for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana, unlawful possession of a machine gun, unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, and using, carrying, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.
• Kavon Duncan, aka “Babyk,” was sentenced to 71 months on February 6, 2024, for conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute marijuana.
• Joe Blyther, aka “Hawk,” is scheduled for sentencing on April 22, 2024. He pleaded guilty on November 9, 2023, to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana, using, carrying, and possessing a firearm during a drug trafficking offense, unlawful possession of a machine gun, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.
• Christopher Akinduro, aka “Oshay,” was sentenced to 74 months in prison on January 17, 2024, for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana.
• Avery Bost, aka “Avenue,” “Ave,” and “Left,” is scheduled to be sentenced March 22, 2024. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana.
• Omar Butler, aka “O,” was sentenced on March 1, 2024, to 18 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana. 
• Randall Lance, aka “Mike Lambo,” was sentenced October 10, 2023, to 63 months for conspiracy to distribute over 100 kilograms of marijuana.

            These sentences and guilty pleas follow a lengthy investigation led by the FBI’s Washington Field Office and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.  Between May of 2021 to on or about December of 2021, crew members operated a sophisticated conspiracy to traffic large amounts of high-grade marijuana from California to the DMV area for distribution to customers. As part of their distribution scheme, members of the crew relied heavily on mass marketing through three dedicated LA Dank websites, as well as social media platforms like Instagram where individual crew members would advertise the LA Dank brand and LA Dank branded marijuana for sale. Crew members also used rental properties to set up stash houses or points of sale that were used to conduct drug distribution operations for a short period of time before moving on to different locations. 

            The crew was found to possess numerous firearms, including semi-automatic and fully automatic machineguns, and devices used to convert semi-automatic firearms into fully automatic machineguns. In total, approximately 122 pounds of marijuana, 19 firearms, and 10 machinegun conversion devices were recovered. Three of these 19 firearms were discovered to be operational machineguns that had been modified with machinegun conversion devices. Seven of these machinegun conversion devices were found in an “LA Dank” branded bag. Two of these firearms were privately made AR-pistol style machineguns, sometimes referred to as “ghost guns.”

            Ledgers and receipts show that the crew trafficked well over 100 kilograms of marijuana into the DMV area for distribution. 

            Isaac Akinduro, who has four previous gun and firearms convictions, was arrested on August 12, 2022, in Glen Burnie, Maryland.

            The prosecutions followed a joint investigation by the FBI Washington Field Office's Cross-Border Task Force in partnership with the Metropolitan Police Department, Prince George’s County Police Department, Anne Arundel County Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Justin F. Song, Meredith E. Mayer-Dempsey, and Thomas Strong. 

WASHINGTON D.C. – Juwuan Edward Francis Champion, 24, of Bowie, Md., was sentenced to 121 months in prison today for his role in the felony armed robbery of a pharmaceutical van driver and possession of a machinegun, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Special Agent in Charge Craig Kailimai of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Washington Field Division, and Chief Pamela A. Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department.

            Champion, aka “Big Money,” pleaded guilty on December 19, 2023, to conspiracy to interfere with interstate commerce by robbery (known as conspiracy to commit a Hobbs Act robbery) and unlawful possession of a machine gun. In addition to the 10-years plus one-month prison sentence, U.S. District Judge Amit P. Mehta ordered Champion to serve three years of supervised release.

            Court documents alleged that Champion was among four crew members participating in a drug trafficking operation in the Potomac Gardens neighborhood of Southeast Washington. The three other members included Fitzgerald Hunt, 24, of Washington, D.C., also known as “GMoney,” Joshua Johnson, 18, of Capitol Heights, Md., also known as “Lil Josh,” and Keyshawn Lavender, 20, of Washington, D.C., also known as “Key.” From January to October 2021, the crew members allegedly trafficked in Oxycodone, Alprazolam, and a variety of illegal narcotics.

            In pleading guilty, Champion, Hunt, and Johnson admitted that on March 30, 2021, they conspired to rob a pharmaceutical delivery van driver outside a pharmacy in Waldorf, Md. The driver was placed in handcuffs and hit on the head with a firearm. Then the defendants drove the van back to Washington, D.C., with pharmaceuticals valued at over $95,000.

            At 2:46 p.m. on March 30, 2021, MPD located the stolen van on the 1500 block of 19th Street, SE. At about 6 p.m. Prince George’s County police found discarded contents from the van, including numerous emptied bottles of oxycodone, in Bowie, Maryland. Fingerprints found on the contents matched Champion and his co-defendants, and other items recovered had Champion’s DNA. That same afternoon, Champion posted a photo on Instagram depicting an assortment of oxycodone pills on a plate. He also sent a flurry of direct-messages to a number of Instagram accounts touting that the pills were for sale in Potomac Gardens.

            On October 6, 2021, at the residence where Champion was staying, police recovered a Ruger Five Seven 5.7x28mm caliber pistol with an obliterated serial number, loaded with 13 rounds of 5.7 caliber ammunition; a Glock 48, 9mm pistol loaded with 11 rounds; five Glock magazines; assorted ammunition inside a shoebox; approximately $37,280 in cash; and a “Big Money” jewelry pendant.

            Law enforcement arrested Champion and his co-defendants on October 7, 2021.

            Hunt was sentenced on September 29, 2023, to 108 months in prison. Johnson was sentenced as part of a global resolution to 60 months in prison in Charles County, Maryland, for the armed carjacking, running concurrently to a 12-month sentence in this jurisdiction for drug conspiracy. The final defendant, Lavender, was not alleged to have had a role in the robbery and was sentenced to 30 months in prison for his role in the drug conspiracy.

            This case was investigated by the ATF Washington Field Office and the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). Critical support was provided by the Charles County Md. Sheriff’s Office and Charles County State’s Attorney’s Office, and additional assistance was provided by the U.S. Marshals Service, the Prince George’s County, Md. Police Department, and Anne Arundel County, Md. Police Department.

            The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Candice Wong and Solomon Eppel of the Violence Reduction and Trafficking Offenses Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. Assistance was provided by former Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Allison McGuire.

WASHINGTON – On Wednesday, March 13, 2024, Troy Thompson, 44, 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 22, 2024, U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced.

            Thompson is on bench warrant status and will be arraigned when he returns to court at a hearing before a Superior Court judge.

           According to the government’s evidence, on February 22, 2024, Thompson took a range of merchandise without paying from the CVS store at 2009 8th Street NW, Washington, D.C. Thompson was quickly located and arrested by the Metropolitan Police Department.       

            Thompson 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 33 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 Sidrah Miraaj-Raza.

            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.

WASHINGTON – On Wednesday, March 13, 2024, Andre Seay, 38, 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 21, 2024, U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced.

            Seay is to be arraigned on March 18, 2024, at a hearing before a Superior Court judge.

            According to the government’s evidence, on February 21, 2024, Seay took a range of merchandise without paying from the CVS store at 1781 Florida Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. Seay was quickly located and arrested by the Metropolitan Police Department.    

            Seay 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 33 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 Sidrah Miraaj-Raza.

            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.

WASHINGTON - Barrington Hart, 36, of Washington, D.C., was found guilty today in Superior Court of two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon (Firearm), two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, one count of assault with significant bodily injury while armed, two counts of obstruction, one count of threats, one count of unlawful possession of a firearm (prior conviction), one count of simple assault, and one count of carrying a pistol without a license. The verdict was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department.

            The defendant and the victim had been in a previous romantic relationship, broken up, and then reunited for four days when, on July 27, 2023, they got into an argument over the victim’s phone. Hart was accusing the victim of cheating on him and wanted to look through her phone. When she refused, he became angry, retrieved a black and yellow gun, and hit the victim on the head with it causing a laceration. Rather than taking her to the hospital, Hart made the victim come with him to a job interview while her head was still bleeding. She later went to the hospital alone and had the wound treated with nine staples to the top of the head. She reported the assault to the Metropolitan Police Department on July 30 2023. Less than a week later, on August 4, 2023, the victim called the police again and reported that the night before, Hart started an argument about her seeing other people, slapped her, and pointed the same black and yellow firearm at her. The victim snuck out the next morning to call for help. Hart was arrested on August 4, 2023.

            After arrest, Hart continued to attempt to control the victim. He instructed her, twice, over Department of Corrections Video Visits, to refrain from testifying in the grand jury. Also, while incarcerated, Hart threatened the victim via numerous text messages.

            Superior Court Judge Jason Park scheduled sentencing for May 31, 2024.

WASHINGTON – Marcus Thompson, 28, of Washington D.C., was sentenced yesterday  to seven years in prison in connection with an early morning armed carjacking in Northeast Washington D.C. The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).  

            In November 2023, Thompson pleaded guilty in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia to armed robbery and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. During that plea hearing, Thompson admitted that at approximately 6:00 a.m. on July 17, 2023, and armed with a handgun, he approached the victim as the victim was taking property out of his car in the 2300 block of R Street Northeast. Thompson put the weapon in the victim’s back and demanded his car keys. The victim, who had a lawful concealed carry permit, and fearing for his life, turned, and shot Thompson once in self-defense. The victim immediately called 911 and, while waiting for law enforcement to arrive, administered first aid to Thompson’s non-fatal wound. The victim remained cooperative with law enforcement. Metropolitan Police officers recovered a firearm from Thompson on scene.

            In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Smith commended the work of the investigators from the Metropolitan Police Department and Assistant U.S. Attorney Sabena Auyeung, who investigated and prosecuted this case.

The U.S. Attorney's Office For the District of Columbia, today, released Q1 24 papering rates.