Category: Legal Issues

Source: United States Attorneys General 4

            WASHINGTON – Tyrone Wiggins, 66, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty today to second-degree child sexual abuse, admitting that over an eight-year period, he regularly engaged in sexual acts with a minor. The plea was announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Acting Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

            Wiggins pleaded guilty in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. He is to be sentenced on January 5, 2024, by the Honorable Rainey Brandt.

            According to the facts agreed to by both parties, between May 11, 1999 and October 20, 1999, when the victim was 13-years old and Wiggins was 42, Wiggins engaged in penetrative sexual acts with the victim on multiple, regular occasions. Wiggins also admitted that he had abused the victim when the victim was 10-years old; and that he continued doing so until she was 18-years old. All of the sexual abuse took place in the District of Columbia.

            This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department.

            This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter V. Taylor and Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Zubrensky, who assisted on complex legal issues and in negotiating the plea agreement.

Source: United States Attorneys General 4

            WASHINGTON –Amarii Fontanelle, 20, of Bowie, Md, was charged by indictment yesterday in the October 2022 killings of Reginald Cooper, Jr. and Davonte Berkley, and the non-fatal shooting of Christian Murray that occurred in Southeast Washington D.C., announced U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves and Acting Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department.

            The indictment charges Fontanelle with two counts of first-degree premeditated murder while armed, one count of assault with the intent to kill while armed, one count of aggravated assault while armed, and other firearms-related charges. 

            On Oct. 17, 2022, Cooper and Berkley, both 19 and residents of Maryland, drove to 1307 Congress St., SE. Fontanelle greeted them with handshakes, then led them into the house where Fontanelle’s associates were waiting in a stairwell. About two minutes after entering the building, video surveillance footage captured images of muzzle fire coming from Fontanelle.           

            Seconds after the shooting, Fontanelle ran from the building followed by his associates.

            Cooper—who sustained eight gunshot wounds to his head, back and torso—was pronounced dead at the scene. Berkley suffered four gunshot wounds to his back, torso, arm, and buttocks and was taken to Medstar Washington Medical Center where he was pronounced dead three hours later. Murray, a resident of the District who was also at the scene of the slayings, sustained a gunshot wound to his leg that shattered the bone. Murray underwent surgery at Medstar and was hospitalized for a week.

            Fontanelle was identified using still photos from video surveillance footage.  He was arrested on Jan. 12, 2023.

            Trial is scheduled for Oct. 7, 2024, before the Honorable Maribeth Raffinan in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Fontanelle is being held without bond pending trial.  

            This case is being investigated by members of the Major Case Squad of the Homicide Division of the MPD.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Marybeth Manfreda.

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.

Source: United States Attorneys General 4

            WASHINGTON –Amarii Fontanelle, 20, of Bowie, Md, was charged by indictment yesterday in the October 2022 killings of Reginald Cooper, Jr. and Davonte Berkley, and the non-fatal shooting of Christian Murray that occurred in Southeast Washington D.C., announced U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves and Acting Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department.

            The indictment charges Fontanelle with two counts of first-degree premeditated murder while armed, one count of assault with the intent to kill while armed, one count of aggravated assault while armed, and other firearms-related charges. 

            On Oct. 17, 2022, Cooper and Berkley, both 19 and residents of Maryland, drove to 1307 Congress St., SE. Fontanelle greeted them with handshakes, then led them into the house where Fontanelle’s associates were waiting in a stairwell. About two minutes after entering the building, video surveillance footage captured images of muzzle fire coming from Fontanelle.           

            Seconds after the shooting, Fontanelle ran from the building followed by his associates.

            Cooper—who sustained eight gunshot wounds to his head, back and torso—was pronounced dead at the scene. Berkley suffered four gunshot wounds to his back, torso, arm, and buttocks and was taken to Medstar Washington Medical Center where he was pronounced dead three hours later. Murray, a resident of the District who was also at the scene of the slayings, sustained a gunshot wound to his leg that shattered the bone. Murray underwent surgery at Medstar and was hospitalized for a week.

            Fontanelle was identified using still photos from video surveillance footage.  He was arrested on Jan. 12, 2023.

            Trial is scheduled for Oct. 7, 2024, before the Honorable Maribeth Raffinan in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Fontanelle is being held without bond pending trial.  

            This case is being investigated by members of the Major Case Squad of the Homicide Division of the MPD.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Marybeth Manfreda.

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.

Source: United States Attorneys General 4

            WASHINGTON – Jalen Browne, 22, of Upper Marlboro, MD, was sentenced today to 810 months (67.5 years) in prison for the murders of Jovan Hill and Tariq Riley, in July of 2021, in Northwest D.C.  The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Acting Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

            Browne was convicted on July 21, 2023, following a jury trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. He was found guilty of and sentenced for two counts of first-degree premeditated murder while armed, four counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, and six counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence.

            According to the government’s evidence, shortly after 3:38pm on July 25, 2021, the defendant disguised himself and walked around the 100 block of Q Street, NW, eventually lying in wait to shoot young men enjoying the hot summer day. The defendant, using a backpack to catch his shell casings, fired 12 shots in succession at six young men. Narrowly missing three of his targets, the defendant hit 22-year old Jovan Hill, 19-year old Tariq Riley, and another man in the back. First responders found Jovan Hill and Tariq Riley on the ground. Both men were transported to nearby hospitals, but all life-saving efforts failed; both men died as a result of a single gunshot wound to the back. No witnesses provided information regarding the identity of the shooter. The government presented forensic, video surveillance, circumstantial, and motive evidence in securing a conviction on all counts.

            In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Acting Chief Smith commended the work of the members and detectives with the Metropolitan Police Department who investigated the case. They also recognized the members of the prosecution team, including: Charlie Bruce, Zachary McMenamin, Victim Advocates Christie Bloodworth and Deidria Ellis, and Paralegal Specialists Meridith McGarity, Lauren Douglas, and Tasha Harris.  Finally, they thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeffrey A. Wojcik and Lauren Galloway who prosecuted the case.

Source: United States Attorneys General 4

            WASHINGTON — A Pennsylvania man has been arrested on felony and misdemeanor charges, including assaulting law enforcement, related to his actions during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. He and others helped to disrupt a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to count the electoral votes of the 2020 presidential election.

            Troy Spackman, 40, of West York, Pa., is charged in a criminal complaint filed in the District of Columbia with felony offenses of civil disorder and assaulting, resisting, or impeding federal officers. In addition to the felonies, Spackman is charged with misdemeanor offenses of disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds, and act of physical violence in the Capitol grounds or buildings.

            Spackman was arrested today in Harrisburg and will make his initial appearance in the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

            According to court documents, Spackman traveled to Washington, D.C., to attend a rally on Jan. 6, 2021, and afterward walked toward the U.S. Capitol building and then to the side of the building with the inauguration scaffolding. Spackman was identified by federal investigators in multiple videos concerning the events of that day, wearing a black jacket and dark-colored hat with a “dk” logo. In one such video, Spackman is seen holding a cell phone above his head in his right hand and in his left hand holding two canisters of Oleoresin capsicum (OC) spray. Court documents say that the OC spray carried by Spackman appears to be Combined Tactical Systems MK-9 OC spray, a less-than-lethal product intended to cause temporary pain and injury that can, in rare instances and if used incorrectly, lead to property damage, serious bodily injury, or death.

            In another open-source video taken at the Capitol building, Spackman appears to point a canister of OC spray toward uniformed officers from an elevated position. In the video, Spackman’s right arm is extended toward the officers, holding a canister of OC spray, and appears to have a second canister of OC spray in his left rear pocket. In the video, a mist of spray comes from the canister, consistent with the deployment of OC spray. Investigators then reviewed body-worn camera footage depicting Spackman with his right arm extended, deploying the OC spray at approximately 2:31 p.m.

            This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

            This case is being investigated by the FBI’s Philadelphia Field Office’s Capital Area Resident Agency and Washington Field Offices. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.

            In the 33 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,100 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 400 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony. The investigation remains ongoing.

            Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fib.gov.

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

Source: United States Attorneys General 4

            WASHINGTON – Garnell Lucas, 33, of Upper Marlboro, MD, was sentenced today to 72 months in prison for his role in a fentanyl distribution ring, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, and Special Agent in Charge Wayne A. Jacobs, of the FBI Washington Office’s Criminal and Cyber Division. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Amit P. Mehta ordered 60 months of supervised release. Lucas pleaded guilty on May 15, 2023, to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl. He admitted he is accountable for more than 1.2 kilograms of a mixture containing a detectable amount of fentanyl.

            According to court documents, in August 2021, law enforcement began investigating a drug trafficking group running a fentanyl pill pressing operation in and around Washington, D.C. and Maryland. Law enforcement learned that the group was in possession of at least three pill presses, used to press fentanyl into counterfeit prescription pills which the group then distributed throughout Washington, D.C. and Maryland. Lucas and others were identified as participants in the drug trafficking operation. Between May 2020 and late-September 2022, the conspiracy utilized at least three pill presses, including one industrial pill press, to press mixed fentanyl.

            As part of the conspiracy, the defendant distributed the counterfeit pills in a coordinated manner with co-conspirators, including to other co-conspirators and to other distributors and/or users. The co-conspirators would coordinate their distribution, including resupplying or helping each other fill orders, if necessary, to further the object of selling narcotics, and referring customers to each other. On March 29, 2022, the FBI executed a search warrant at an apartment in Southeast Washington, DC, a stash house used by the conspiracy to run the pill press operation. During the search, law enforcement seized baggies of pills and loose powder, together amounting to more than 516 pills and more than 76 grams of a mixture and substance containing fentanyl. 

            This case was investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Rosenberg and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah J. Rasalam, of the Violence Reduction and Trafficking Offenses Section, prosecuted the case. Valuable assistance in the investigation was provided by Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Wasserman and former Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Marnee Rand.

Source: United States Attorneys General 4

            WASHINGTON – Kinshasa Reddock, 40, of Washington, D.C., was indicted by a grand jury this week in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia on one count of second-degree theft stemming from the Oct. 1, 2023, theft from a CVS store located at 14th and W Streets NW, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Acting Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

            Reddock is to be arraigned on Friday, Oct.13, 2023, at a hearing before a Superior Court judge.

            According to the indictment, at about 5:35 p.m. on Oct. 1, 2023, Reddock entered the CVS store, took various items from the shelves and placed them into a bag. Reddock then promptly left the store bypassing all points of sale without paying for any of the items. He was arrested minutes later, in possession of many of the items, by members of the MPD. 

            Reddock has more than two prior theft convictions, though not from the same occasion, and is therefore subject to enhanced penalties for his alleged theft, including a mandatory minimum sentence of one year in prison.

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

            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.

Source: United States Attorneys General 4

            WASHINGTON – Harold Augostus Stone, 48, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to five years in prison for possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, FBI Special Agent in Charge Wayne A. Jacobs of the Washington Field Office’s Criminal and Cyber Division, and Acting Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

            Stone is one of 20 defendants charged in connection with a wide-ranging drug trafficking investigation centered on the area of 7^th and O Streets, in Northwest Washington, D.C.  He pleaded guilty on June 23, 2022. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Reggie B. Walton ordered an additional five years of supervised release.

            Stone has a prior conviction for first degree murder while armed for a 1992 slaying in the District of Columbia. His sentence was reduced under D.C.’s Incarceration Reduction Amendment Act, and he was released from custody in July 2020. He also has a previous conviction for assault with a deadly weapon in Virginia.

            According to court documents, in mid-2021 members of the MPD, working with the FBI, began investigating violent crime and drug trafficking activities connected to an open-air drug market at the corner of 7th and O Streets. The investigation revealed that the individuals charged gathered in this area on a regular basis to sell controlled substances that included cocaine base and fentanyl. Law enforcement identified several neighborhood residences the group used as stash houses for storing, processing, and packaging drugs for resale.

              On May 11, 2022, Stone – aka “Bankroll” – was arrested by four U.S. Park Police on the 1200 block of M Street, NW. At the time, Stone was wearing a satchel and a large puffy jacket. Inside the satchel, officers recovered six knotted bags weighing 98 grams total and $3,242 in cash. The substance in the bags tested positive for cocaine base and weighed more than 28 grams.       

            This case stems from a collaborative investigation by the Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) of MPD’s Violent Crime Suppression Division, the FBI Washington Field Office’s Cross Border Safe Streets Task Force, the Washington Division of the DEA, and the U.S. Park Police. The Cross Border Safe Streets Task Force targets the most egregious and violent street crews operating in the District of Columbia. 

            The investigation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

            The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin Rosenberg and Solomon Eppel of the Violence Reduction and Trafficking Offenses section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, with valuable assistance provided by Assistant United States Attorney Steven Wasserman and former Special Assistant United States Attorney Shaunik Panse.

Source: United States Attorneys General 4

            WASHINGTON – Jose Avelino Felipe, 45, was sentenced today to 60 months in prison for stabbing his female roommate in 2021, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Acting Chief Pamela A. Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). The defendant pleaded guilty to one count of assault with intent to kill in August 2023 in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.  

            According to the government’s evidence, on Dec. 4, 2021, Avelino Felipe and his wife were living in the same apartment as the victim and her husband. That evening, Avelino Felipet and the victim’s husband got into a physical altercation in the home. Both men left the home after the altercation. Shortly thereafter, Avelino Felipe returned to the home, where the victim remained. Avelino Felipe went to her bedroom and asked whether she would call the police. She stated she would not. Nevertheless, Avelino Felipe then stabbed the victim twice with a knife, once in the chest, and once in her left shoulder. He fled the apartment before police arrived. The victim required emergency surgery for her injuries. In the immediate aftermath of the assault, the victim’s left lung filled with blood, and her right lung collapsed, requiring the insertion of chest tubes.

            The MPD’s Capitol Area Regional Fugitive Task Force apprehended Avelino Felipe on May 23, 2023.

            In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Acting Chief Smith commended the work of those who investigated the case from the MPD. They also expressed appreciation for the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Covert, who investigated and prosecuted the case.

Source: United States Attorneys General 4

            WASHINGTON –Daniel Greene, 41, of Washington, D.C., was indicted today by a grand jury in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia on two counts of second-degree theft stemming from the Sept. 16, 2023, package thefts from the 600 block of G Street NE, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Acting Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

            Greene is to be arraigned on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023, at a hearing before a Superior Court judge. He faces a maximum of 15 years in prison if convicted of the charges.

            According to the government’s evidence, on Sept. 16, 2023, at about 2:45 p.m., Greene approached homes in the 600 block of G Street NE and stole packages from the porches of two of them. He walked away and was stopped by members of the MPD while he was in possession of the stolen packages.   

            Greene 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.

            This case is being investigated by the MPD. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Hannah Skopicki.

            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.