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US Attorney's Office

DC Convict Admits To Daytime Murder Of Woman Committed While On Release For Robbery: Feds DC Convict Admits To Daytime Murder Of Woman Committed While On Release For Robbery: Feds
DC Convict Admits To Daytime Murder Of Woman Committed While On Release For Robbery: Feds A Washington, DC man has admitted to gunning down a woman in broad daylight on a busy street in Southeast DC, officials announced. Johnwann Elliott, 31, pleaded guilty on Dec. 16 to second-degree murder while armed and attempted assault with a dangerous weapon for the 2022 killing of 37-year-old Nikia Young, the US Attorney's Office said. Elliott’s plea deal calls for a 21-year prison sentence followed by five years of supervised release, pending court approval.  According to investigators, Elliott exited a Metro bus near Minnesota Avenue and White Place SE at around midnight. on Marc…
Self-Proclaimed 'Neighborhood Pharmacist,' DC Rapper 'Carti Ears' Learns Fate In Court Self-Proclaimed 'Neighborhood Pharmacist,' DC Rapper 'Carti Ears' Learns Fate In Court
Self-Proclaimed 'Neighborhood Pharmacist,' DC Rapper 'Carti Ears' Learns Fate In Court A man who calls himself the “neighborhood pharmacist” and flaunted his lifestyle as DC rapper "Carti Ears" has been convicted for his role in a multi-year drug trafficking conspiracy, federal officials announced. Kenneth Josiah Hampton, 26, of Washington, was found guilty last week, on charges including conspiracy to distribute marijuana and oxycodone, possession with intent to distribute the drugs, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, the US Attorney’s Office said. The verdict came after a six-day trial in US District Court, where evidence painted Hampton as a pr…
Serial Sexual Predator From Arlington Targeting Sleeping Women Arrested 16 Years Later: Feds Serial Sexual Predator From Arlington Targeting Sleeping Women Arrested 16 Years Later: Feds
Serial Sexual Predator From Arlington Targeting Sleeping Women Arrested 16 Years Later: Feds A serial sexual predator from Arlington who preyed on women for years more than a decade ago. has been arrested, federal authorities announced on Wednesday. DNA evidence doomed Ernesto Mercado, 54, who has been charged in connection to at least five sexual offenses that were reported in the Georgetown area of DC between 2008 and 2012. "As yesterday's arrest demonstrates, advancements in technology and collaboration among law enforcement partners can lead to breakthroughs in cases that have previously gone unsolved,” acting FBI Special Agent in Charge David Geist said. According to court do…
Man Who Made Thousands Of Harassing Calls From MD To Congressional Offices Sentenced: Feds Man Who Made Thousands Of Harassing Calls From MD To Congressional Offices Sentenced: Feds
Ade Salim Lilly Threatened To Kill Congressional Staffer A Queens man who made more than 12,000 calls to dozens of Congressional offices and threatened to kill a staffer has been sentenced to more than a year in prison, federal authorities announced. Ade Salim Lilly, 35, was sentenced to 13 months in prison, followed by 36 months of supervised release for making threats and "conducting a campaign of pervasive harassing communications against members of Congress," according to the US Attorney's Office. Court documents state that beginning in early February 2022, and continuing through his arrest in November last year, Lilly made more than 12,…
Politicians Speak Out After DC Council Member Arrested On Bribery Charges Politicians Speak Out After DC Council Member Arrested On Bribery Charges
Politicians Speak Out After DC Council Member Arrested On Bribery Charges There has been an outcry from elected officials in Washington after DC Council Member Trayon White, Sr. was arrested in connection to a bribery investigation. White, who represents Ward 8, was arrested this week on the federal charge following an investigation into the bribery claims. The 40-year-old Democrat, who is the Chair of the Council’s Committee on Recreation, Libraries and Youth Affairs, which oversees several agencies including the DC Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services is charged with accepting more than $150,000 in bribes. The complaint alleges that, beginning in J…
Maryland Man Was Beaten To Death By Shovel In Northeast DC: Medical Examiner Maryland Man Was Beaten To Death By Shovel In Northeast DC: Medical Examiner
Maryland Man Was Beaten To Death By Shovel In Northeast DC: Medical Examiner An assault in Northeast DC is now being investigated as a homicide following an investigation into an assault last year that left an 81-year-old Maryland man dead. in October 2023, police say that Vincent Hemphill is accused of beating three men with a shovel, one of whom, 81-year-old Clinton resident Charles Short, died from his injuries months later in January. Short's body was taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore for an autopsy, and on Thursday, the Metropolitan Police Department was notified that the death was determined to be from complications of blunt force …
No Charges For Metropolitan Police Officers Involved In Fatal DC Shooting: Prosecutors No Charges For Metropolitan Police Officers Involved In Fatal DC Shooting: Prosecutors
No Charges For Metropolitan Police Officers Involved In Fatal DC Shooting: Prosecutors There will be no charges for a pair of officers from the Metropolitan Police Department for their role in a fatal shooting last year involving a 33-year-old District resident, according to federal investigators. The US Attorney's Office announced that there is insufficient evidence to pursue criminal or civil rights charges for their roles in an officer-involved shooting in Southeast DC in October 2023 that left Arthur Porter dead. According to prosecutors, at around 5 p.m. on Oct. 19 last year, the officers were called to the 2800 block of Gainesville Street SE, where there were reports of…
Police ID Man Killed By Officers During Crisis Intervention Call In Northwest DC Police ID Man Killed By Officers During Crisis Intervention Call In Northwest DC
Police ID Man Killed By Officers During Crisis Intervention Call In Northwest DC New details have been released by the Metropolitan Police Department after a 41-year-old Northeast DC man was killed in an officer-involved shooting. At around 6:45 a.m. on Jan. 24, members of the Metropolitan Police Department responded to the 2100 block of Benning Road NE to assist a man who was in crisis, according to Chief Pamela Smith. MPD Chief Pamela Smith at the scene. Washington DC Metropolitan Police Department Responding officers - one of whom was a highly-trained crisis intervention specialist - encountered the man, Clifford Brooks, and conversed with him for upwards of two…
Crisis Intervention Call Turns Deadly During Downtown DC Officer-Involved Shooting: Police Crisis Intervention Call Turns Deadly During Downtown DC Officer-Involved Shooting: Police
Crisis Intervention Call Turns Deadly During Downtown DC Officer-Involved Shooting: Police A crisis intervention call turned deadly for a man killed in an officer-involved shooting in Washington, DC on Wednesday morning. At around 6:45 a.m. on Jan. 24, members of the Metropolitan Police Department responded to the 2100 block of Benning Road NE to assist a man who was in crisis, according to Chief Pamela Smith. MPD Chief Pamela Smith at the scene. Washington DC Metropolitan Police Department Responding officers - one of whom was a highly-trained crisis intervention specialist - encountered the man and conversed with him for upwards of two hours, she said, before he relented a…
Grand Juror Who Shared Privileged Proceedings On Social Media Gets Prison Time In DC: Feds Grand Juror Who Shared Privileged Proceedings On Social Media Gets Prison Time In DC: Feds
Alexander Hamilton Sentenced In DC For Recording Grand Jury Alexander Hamilton - nope, not that one - is making headlines in Washington, DC again. Hamilton, 29, has been sentenced to eight months in prison after admitting in federal court to contempt and obstruction of justice for illegally recording and publishing grand jury proceedings to seemingly bolster his social media following, federal authorities announced. The District resident was ultimately brought down by that social media presence.  According to court documents, Hamilton, a former special police officer who worked as an armed guard at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space…
NY Man Who Assaulted Female Passenger On Flight To Newark Gets 2 Years, No Parole NY Man Who Assaulted Female Passenger On Flight To Newark Gets 2 Years, No Parole
NY Man Who Assaulted Female Passenger On Flight To Newark Gets 2 Years, No Parole UPDATE: An upstate New York man who admitted assaulting a fellow passenger on a flight from Denver to Newark must spend two plea-bargained years in federal prison. Ryan Manuella, 30, of Erie County, “moved to a vacant center seat next to a female passenger, who was sitting in a window seat” on the April 16, 2021 flight, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said. Manuella, who didn't know the woman, then "touched the passenger without her consent," Sellinger said. "The victim then yelled at him and left the row of seats," the U.S. attorney said. Defense attorney Andrew Olesnyck…
District Man Who Tried To Kill Roommate In Their Home Heading To The Big House District Man Who Tried To Kill Roommate In Their Home Heading To The Big House
District Man Who Tried To Kill Roommate In Their Home Heading To The Big House Jose Avelino Felipe has to be hoping that his new roommates treat him better than he treated his old one. The District man who violently assaulted his roommate after getting into a fight with her husband will spend years behind bars after being sentenced, the US Attorney's Office announced on Thursday. According to court documents, in December 2021, Avelino Felipe and his wife were living in the same apartment as his victim and her husband when a fight broke out. On Dec. 4, 2021, prosecutors say that Avelino Felipe and her husband got into a physical altercation inside the apartment before…
Shady Nightclub Owner Convicted Of Bribing Tax Officials In DC For Years Shady Nightclub Owner Convicted Of Bribing Tax Officials In DC For Years
Shady Nightclub Owner Convicted Of Bribing Tax Officials In DC For Years A nightclub owner in Washington, DC who paid off officials for years will face time in prison after being convicted of the scheme, federal authorities announced. District resident Davoud Jafari, 72, was found guilty of bribery, conspiracy, and wire-fraud offenses following a scheme where he bribed former DC Tax Official Vincent Slater to avoid paying hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxes related to the operation of Zeba Bar and Grill in Columbia Heights. According to prosecutors, between October 2012 and December 2017, Jafari collected 10 percent of purchases for sales and tax purposes,…
Cold Case: Convict Charged In Connection To Sexual Assault At DC Metro 10 Years Ago: DOJ Cold Case: Convict Charged In Connection To Sexual Assault At DC Metro 10 Years Ago: DOJ
Cold Case: Convict Charged In Connection To Sexual Assault At DC Metro 10 Years Ago: DOJ Justice may have been served 10 years after a Maryland man sexually assaulted a woman at a DC Metro Station. Samuel Sampson Peaks, 35, was arraigned this week stemming from a 2013 cold case involved the armed sexual assault of a stranger at the Minnesota Avenue Metro station, the US attorney’s announced. According to court documents, in February 2013, Peaks encountered his victim at the station and followed her before brandishing a handgun and forcing her to perform a sexual act. Once the assault was over, she called the police, who responded and recovered DNA evidence that was tested in 2…
'I'm About To Lie:' Alexander Hamilton Admits To Readily Recording Grand Jury Proceedings In DC 'I'm About To Lie:' Alexander Hamilton Admits To Readily Recording Grand Jury Proceedings In DC
'I'm About To Lie:' Alexander Hamilton Admits To Readily Recording Grand Jury Proceedings In DC Alexander Hamilton - nope, not that one - is making headlines in Washington, DC again. Hamilton, 28, admitted on Tuesday in federal court to contempt and obstruction of justice after he illegally recorded and published grand jury proceedings to seemingly bolster his social media following, federal authorities announced. The District resident was ultimately brought down by that social media presence.  According to court documents, officers from the Metropolitan Police Department were tipped off to a public Instagram account that had more than 10,000 followers which had posted multiple …
Corrections Officer, Inmate Get Time For Bribery, Drug Smuggling Scheme At DC Jail Corrections Officer, Inmate Get Time For Bribery, Drug Smuggling Scheme At DC Jail
Corrections Officer, Inmate Get Time For Bribery, Drug Smuggling Scheme At DC Jail A former corrections officer is heading to prison and an inmate will face more time for their roles in a bribery scheme at a DC jail, federal authorities announced. Inmate Andre Gregory, 31, of Washington, DC, and Officer Beverly Williams, 52, of Upper Marlboro were sentenced this week to time behind bars after admitting to smuggling drugs into the District of Columbia Central Detention Facility. Gregory got 42 months in prison, while Williams was sentenced to 18 months. A third co-conspirator, Keywaune McLeod, 28, is still awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty earlier this year. K…
No Charges For FBI Agent Who Fatally Shot Man At Metro Center Station In DC: Feds No Charges For FBI Agent Who Fatally Shot Man At Metro Center Station In DC: Feds
No Charges For FBI Agent Who Fatally Shot Man At Metro Center Station In DC: Feds There will be no charges filed against an FBI agent who shot and killed a 28-year-old man at the Metro Center Station in Washington, DC last year, according to federal authorities. The US Attorney’s Office announced on Tuesday, June 6 that there is insufficient evidence to pursue charges against the officer who shot and killed Troy N. Bullock in December 2022 inside the station at G Street and 11th Street in Northwest. Investigators say that shortly before 6:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 7, an off-duty FBI Special Agent was standing on the platform when Bullock began to challenge another trav…
Officer-Involved DC Teen Shooting Leads To Civil Rights Probe After Body-Cam Footage Released Officer-Involved DC Teen Shooting Leads To Civil Rights Probe After Body-Cam Footage Released
Officer-Involved DC Teen Shooting Leads To Civil Rights Probe After Body-Cam Footage Released Federal prosecutors are launching a civil rights investigation into the fatal officer-involved shooting of a teenager in Washington, DC last month. An inquiry into the shooting death of 17-year-old Dalaneo Martin was announced on Wednesday, April 5, a day after US Park Police officials released body-cam footage showing the moments leading up to the teen’s death last month. At approximately 8:50 a.m. on Saturday, March 18, a Park Police sergeant was called to assist a Metropolitan Police Department officer with an investigation into a stolen vehicle that was spotted in the area of 34th an…
US Marshals Service Involved In Fatal Shooting Of Wanted Man In Southeast DC (DEVELOPING) US Marshals Service Involved In Fatal Shooting Of Wanted Man In Southeast DC (DEVELOPING)
US Marshals Service Involved In Fatal Shooting Of Wanted Man In Southeast DC (Developing) An investigation has been lost in Southeast DC on Tuesday afternoon after members of the US Marshals Service shot and killed a wanted man following a short pursuit, Metropolitan Police Department officials announced. At approximately 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 28, officers from the department were called to the 4300 block of 3rd Street SE near Atlantic Street SE to assist the US Marshals who were involved in an operation involving a man in his 20s with multiple warrants out for his arrest. MPD and @USMarshalsHQ are on the scene of an officer involved shooting incident. Media staging is at …
No Charges For MPD Sergeant Involved In Fatal Fort Slocum Park Shooting: Feds No Charges For MPD Sergeant Involved In Fatal Fort Slocum Park Shooting: Feds
No Charges For MPD Sergeant Involved In Fatal Fort Slocum Park Shooting: Feds The US Attorney’s Office will not be pursuing charges against a Metropolitan Police Department sergeant who shot and killed 31-year-old Kevin Hargraves-Shird at Ford Slocum Park in Northwest Washington, DC. Prosecutors say that there is insufficient evidence to pursue federal criminal civil rights or DC charges against Sgt. Reinaldo Otero-Camacho for his role in the fatal July 2022 shooting, which caused controversy last summer. At approximately 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 30, 2022, Otero, a Fourth District sergeant, responded to a call of a shooting that happened in the 900 block of Longfell…
Former US Attorney Practicing Law In DC Lawyer Named Special Counsel Investigating Biden Docs Former US Attorney Practicing Law In DC Lawyer Named Special Counsel Investigating Biden Docs
Former US Attorney Practicing Law In DC Lawyer Named Special Counsel Investigating Biden Docs Attorney General Merrick Garland has appointed a familiar face for Marylanders as a special counsel to investigate the handling of classified documents that were found at President Joe Biden’s Delaware home and a Washington office. Robert Hur, the former US Attorney for Maryland who left office in 2021, will be tasked with conducting the inquiry into the handling of the materials after the White House confirmed that his private attorneys found a "small number" of classified documents. “I will conduct the assigned investigation with fair, impartial, and dispassionate judgment. I intend to f…
MPD Chief Slams Social Media, 'Misinformation' Surrounding Karon Blake Death Investigation MPD Chief Slams Social Media, 'Misinformation' Surrounding Karon Blake Death Investigation
MPD Chief Slams Social Media, 'Misinformation' Surrounding Karon Blake Death Investigation An impassioned Metropolitan Police Chief Robert Contee III took shots at “misinformation swirling around” the case of 13-year-old Karon Blake, who was killed by a gunman who reportedly thought he was breaking into cars in Washington, DC. Blake was shot by an unnamed resident shortly before 4 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 7 in the 1000 block of Quincy Street, who said that he "heard noises and observed someone that appeared to be tampering with vehicles." Earlier story - Middle Schooler Killed By DC Gunman Thinking He Was Breaking Into Cars Since the shooting, there has been uproar in the commu…
Middle Schooler Killed By DC Gunman Thinking He Was Breaking Into Cars Middle Schooler Killed By DC Gunman Thinking He Was Breaking Into Cars
Middle Schooler Killed By DC Gunman Thinking He Was Breaking Into Cars A 13-year-old boy was killed in Washington, D.C. by a man who reportedly thought he was breaking into a car, authorities say. Karon Blake was shot by a resident who armed himself after he "heard noises and observed someone that appeared to be tampering with vehicles" just before 4 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 7 in the 1000 block of Quincy Street, according to Metropolitan police. After the shooting, police were called and Blake was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead.  You can replace a car, you can’t replace a child. Karon Blake should be alive. https://t.co/fLBVOjdHxw — …
Virginia Drug Dealer Convicted Of Causing Multiple Fentanyl Overdoses Virginia Drug Dealer Convicted Of Causing Multiple Fentanyl Overdoses
Virginia Drug Dealer Convicted Of Causing Multiple Fentanyl Overdoses One Dumfries man is to blame for six people overdosing on fentanyl back in 2021, officials said.  Michael Vaughn, 28, gave out cocaine laced with fentanyl during a party in Fairfax County, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.  The six people who took the substance, thinking it was cocaine, overdosed and were taken to a local hospital, authorities said.  One victim died from the fentanyl overdose, officials reported. The other five were saved when given Narcan at the hospital and survived, law enforcement said. When officers arrested Vaughn at his home on Oct. 21, 2021,…
Ex-Youth Pastor In VA Busted With Child Porn While On Probation For Another Sex Crime: Feds Ex-Youth Pastor In VA Busted With Child Porn While On Probation For Another Sex Crime: Feds
Ex-Youth Pastor In VA Busted With Child Porn While On Probation For Another Sex Crime: Feds A former youth pastor in Virginia pled guilty to distributing child pornography, while he was on probation for a different sex offense, officials reported. Deric Peacock, 39, of Highland Springs, used a messaging platform called "Wickr", to distribute the child pornography, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. He committed this crime while  on probation for two previous convictions. Peacock allegedly solicited sex acts on the computer, from someone who was believed to be under 15 years old, authorities said. When Peacock used "Wickr" to distribute the child pornography, …
DC Man Sentenced For Scheming To Steal $31M In COVID-19 Funds DC Man Sentenced For Scheming To Steal $31M In COVID-19 Funds
DC Man Sentenced For Scheming To Steal $31M In Covid-19 Funds A 31-year-old D.C. man was sentenced to 10 years in prison for trying to steal $31 million from the government’s COVID relief programs, officials said.  Elias Eldabbagh used his company, Alias Systems, LLC, to apply for 25 phony Paycheck Protection Program loans between July 2020 and May 2021, the U.S. Attorney's Office reported. Eldabbagh used an alias to hide his identity and steal over two million dollars, which he spread across 13 separate bank and brokerage accounts, authorities said.  He also stole from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, which…
Last Two Defendants Convicted In Federal Trial For Lynchburg Drug Conspiracy Last Two Defendants Convicted In Federal Trial For Lynchburg Drug Conspiracy
Last Two Defendants Convicted In Federal Trial For Lynchburg Drug Conspiracy The final two defendants in the Lynchburg drug conspiracy trial were convicted in federal court, officials said. On September 2, Ricky Donnell Abner, 44, and Charay Lamont Trent, 43, were convicted on drug conspiracy and weapon charges, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Between January 2016 and January 2021, ringleader of the operation Jermel "Jan" Storey distributed large amounts of cocaine, that he received from Texas, to a network of drug dealers, right out of his Lynchburg home, authorities said. Even after he moved to North Carolina, Storey continued to meet up with co-cons…
DC Man Admits To Sexually Abusing His Sisters, Infant For Years: Feds DC Man Admits To Sexually Abusing His Sisters, Infant For Years: Feds
DC Man Admits To Sexually Abusing His Sisters, Infant For Years: Feds A DC man pleaded guilty to charges related to his sexual abuse of children for six years, officials said. Law enforcement's investigations revealed that Matthew Stitt-Johnson, 31, sexually abused three children, an 8-year-old, a 5-year-old, and an 8-month-old, between 2015 and 2020, according to the US Attorney's Office. Though the five-year-old and her sister reported the abuse to their mother, nothing was reported to the police at that time, authorities said. In 2021, after police received a tip about the suspect, they found videos depicting the sexual abuse of the five-year-old vic…
DC Man Who Encountered Senate Minority Leader During Capitol Breach Sentenced DC Man Who Encountered Senate Minority Leader During Capitol Breach Sentenced
DC Man Who Encountered Senate Minority Leader During Capitol Breach Sentenced A D.C. man who illegally entered the Capitol building on January 6, 2021, has been sentenced to prison, officials said. During the Capitol breach, 40-year-old Joshua Pruitt, who was wearing a tactical glove and knee pads, destructed the property inside the building as one of the first intruders to enter the Crypt, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. During his tirade, Pruitt, of the 'Proud Boy' group, encountered Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, who ran in the opposite direction of Pruitt to avoid danger, authorities reported. Although Pruitt escaped the building, he …
DC Man Admits To Posing As Young Girl To Exploit 10-Year-Old Child: DOJ DC Man Admits To Posing As Young Girl To Exploit 10-Year-Old Child: DOJ
DC Man Admits To Posing As Young Girl To Exploit 10-Year-Old Child: DOJ A man from D.C. pled guilty to the sexual exploitation of a young child, officials said. Christopher Young, 31, pretended to be a young girl and reached out to a 10-year-old in June 2019 to exploit her, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Young blackmailed the young girl as a way to sexually abuse her, and told her that if she did not engage in sexual acts with him, he would send embarrassing pictures of the victim to her family, officials said. Law enforcement discovered pictures of Young's sexual abuse, that he took, on his email account, authorities said. The 10-year-old bravely e…
Repeat Bank Robber From DC Sentenced To 25 Years For His Multiple Crimes Repeat Bank Robber From DC Sentenced To 25 Years For His Multiple Crimes
Repeat Bank Robber From DC Sentenced To 25 Years For His Multiple Crimes A man from D.C. was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for an armed bank robbery he committed back in 2021, authorities said.Amobi Agu, 37, is no stranger to the law, as he allegedly committed seven other armed bank robberies between 2007 and 2008, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Agu served time for those crimes, from 2008 to 2020, officials reported. In January of 2021, Agu robbed the Bank of America located in Dulles Crossing Plaza, where he threatened a bank teller and unarmed security guard with his gun, law enforcement said. Agu was convicted of brandishing a f…