Category: Legal Issues

Source: United States Attorneys General 4

            WASHINGTON – Carson Posey, 24, of Washington, DC, pleaded guilty today to one count of second degree murder while armed for the fatal shooting of Shantal Hill, 28, on April 15, 2020, near the Tyler House Apartments on the south side of 1200 North Capitol Street, Northwest, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Acting Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police (MPD).

            The plea was entered before Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe who scheduled sentencing for January 19, 2024.

            According to court documents, around 10:48 p.m. on April 15, 2020, Posey shot Hill, his ex-girlfriend, nine times in the legs, buttocks, and chest. Hill identified her assailant to responding police officers while aid was being provided on the scene. Hill also stated, “I [am] a single mother and I can’t die.” She died shortly after midnight on April 16, 2020.

            This case was investigated by the Criminal Investigation Division Homicide Branch of the Metropolitan Police Department.

            The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Interrante.

Source: United States Attorneys General 4

            WASHINGTON—Charity Keys, 45, of Bowie, Maryland, was sentenced today to 12 months in prison for engaging in a scheme – with a co-worker – to defraud the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department (FEMS). Keys accepted more than $42,500 in kickbacks from a contractor in exchange for directing purchase agreements and orders to the contractor and then falsely certifying that goods that FEMS had paid for had been delivered when, in fact, they had not.

            The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Special Agent in Charge Wayne A. Jacobs, of the FBI Washington Field Office’s Criminal and Cyber Division, and Daniel W. Lucas, Inspector General for the District of Columbia.

            Keys, who was a supply management specialist for FEMS, pleaded guilty to a federal bribery charge on July 18, 2022, in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Amit P. Mehta ordered 36 months of supervised release with the first six months on home confinement, restitution in the amount of $257,680, a $42,500 forfeiture money judgment, and 100 hours of community service. Her co-defendant, Louis “Joey” Mitchell, III, was sentenced on September 16, 2022, to 34 months in prison.

            Keys’ responsibilities included procuring office supplies and other goods for the department. According to the court documents, between 2016 and 2020, Keys and Mitchell, 51, who was an FEMS warehouse supply technician, engaged in a bribery scheme with a contractor whose company was an approved vendor for various supplies. Keys and Mitchell solicited and received bribes from the contractor on at least seven occasions. In exchange, Keys and Mitchell directed purchase orders to the contractor’s company and confirmed delivery and payment for goods that the company did not provide. As a result of the bribery scheme, FEMS paid the company approximately $250,000 for goods that never were delivered. Keys personally collected at least $42,500 in bribes from the contractor.

            Law enforcement opened an investigation after FEMS officials discovered procurement anomalies and referred the matter to the District of Columbia Office of the Inspector General and the FBI. Mitchell and Keys were arrested on February 10, 2022.

            This case was investigated by FBI’s Washington Field Office and D.C. Office of Inspector General.  It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elizabeth Aloi and Christopher R. Howland in the Fraud, Public Corruption, and Civil Rights section.

Source: United States Attorneys General 4

            WASHINGTON –Quincy Garvin, 23, Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 36 years in prison for his role in a brazen shooting into a courtyard that took place in September 2017 in the Potomac Gardens area of Southeast Washington. Garvin was found guilty, in July 2022, of conspiracy, first-degree murder while armed, participation in a criminal street gang, and other charges. The sentence was announced today by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Acting Chief Pamela A. Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

            “Violence between crews fuels a number of the homicides we see in the District,” said U.S. Attorney Graves. “Those thinking of turning petty disputes into deadly shootings need to know that we will hold them accountable for their conduct and face sentences like this one.”

            According to the government’s evidence, between May 2017 and October 2017, the defendant and others were members of a criminal street gang operating in the area of Wellington Park, within Washington, D.C.  Garvin, and others, were involved in a number of “beefs” with individuals from other areas of the city, many of which started as the result of petty feuds among local rival rap groups. 

            At approximately 6 p.m. 0n September 10, 2017, the victim, Carl Hardy, was standing outside in the Potomac Gardens neighborhood as Garvin and three others circled the  neighborhood three times looking for individuals to target. On the fourth trip around the block, the vehicle stopped and the driver paused to allow Garvin and two other men to exit the vehicle armed with multiple weapons, including an assault rifle. Garvin and the two other shooters opened fire on the crowded courtyard, firing over 30 rounds and striking Mr. Hardy.  The group then fled the scene.

            Mr. Hardy, 24, was transported to the hospital where doctors operated multiple times in their efforts to save him.  Ultimately, on Oct. 1, 2017, Mr. Hardy succumbed to his injuries.  Shortly after Mr. Hardy’s death, an arrest warrant was obtained for Garvin charging him with the murder.  A second shooter, Saquan Williams, was also charged and convicted at trial and was sentenced, on September 14, 2023, to 35 years in prison.

            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, the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force, and the District of Columbia Department of Forensic Sciences. They acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Chrisellen Kolb, Chief of the Appellate Division; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ryan Sellinger, Daniel Lenerz, and Sharon Donovan; Supervisory Paralegal Specialist Tasha Harris; Lead Paralegal Specialists Sharon Newman and Meridith McGarrity; Former Paralegal Specialist Stephanie Siegerist; Supervisory Victim/Witness Advocate Jennifer Clark; Witness Security Specialist Ashli Tolbert; Supervisory Litigation Technology Specialist Leif Hickling; Litigation Technology Specialist Claudia Gutierrez; Supervisory Victim/Witness Services Coordinator Katina Adams-Washington; Victim/Witness Services Coordinators LaJune Thames and Maenylie Watson; and Investigative Analyst Zachary McMenamin. 

            Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa Jackson and former Assistant U.S. Attorney John Timmer, who investigated and indicted the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Laura Bach and Lindsey Merikas who prosecuted the case.

Source: United States Attorneys General 4

            WASHINGTON – Marquette E. Johnson, 42, of the District of Columbia, was sentenced today to 27 years in prison and five years of supervised release for first degree sexual abuse while armed and first degree child sexual abuse while armed.  The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Acting Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

            Johnson pleaded guilty on July 11, 2023. According to the government’s evidence, at approximately 8:30 a.m. on November 28, 2005, Johnson approached a 12-year-old female child as she was walking to school, drove up to the victim, pointed a semiautomatic pistol or imitation pistol at her, and told her to get in his minivan or he would kill her. The child followed Johnson’s orders and the defendant drove her to an alley behind the 1300 block of Morris Road, SE, where he forced her to get in the back seat and he sexually assaulted her. When the defendant finished raping her, he drove the victim back to the location where he had picked her up and told her something to the effect of, “See, I told you, you wouldn’t miss school.” The child promptly reported what had occurred to a teacher and an MPD officer stationed at the school.

            DNA obtained from the physical evidence in the investigation matched the DNA profile of the defendant, who is a convicted offender. Additional DNA testing determined it was at least 87 quadrillion times more likely if the evidence originated from the defendant and the victim, than if from the victim and an unknown, unrelated individual. The defendant was a stranger to the victim and her family.

            Following his release from prison, Johnson will be mandated to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life.

            This case was investigated by detectives of the Metropolitan Police Department’s Sexual Assault Unit and Cold Case Sexual Assault Unit, Youth Investigations Division, and detectives and officers from the Seventh District. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amy Zubrensky and Robert Platt.

            It is another case brought as part of the Cold Case Initiative, an initiative launched in February 2018 by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia to reinvestigate previously unsolved cases of sexual assault as well as sexual assault-related homicides. The U.S. Attorney’s Office works in partnership with the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigations, the United States Marshals Service, and local law enforcement partners in the DMV area to achieve its mission.

Source: United States Attorneys General 4

            WASHINGTON – Larry Richardson, 71, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to seven years in prison for the March 2022 kidnapping and sexual abuse of an acquaintance in Northwest Washington, DC. The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela A. Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

            On February 7, 2023, Richardson pleaded guilty to one count of attempted first degree sexual abuse and one count of kidnapping in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. In addition to the seven-year prison term, the Honorable Maribeth Raffinan ordered five years of supervised release and must register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life.

            According to court documents, on March 30, 2022, the victim and Richardson were walking together in the 1800 block of Columbia Road NW, when the defendant became violent. Video surveillance captured the defendant dragging the victim into an alley, striking her multiple times in the face, and pulling her pants and underwear down to her thighs. As the victim struggled, the defendant alternatively climbed on top of her, struck her in the face with his fist repeatedly, and dragged her deeper into the alley by her arm and legs. When the victim tried to escape, the defendant again struck her in the side of the face.

            When the defendant had pulled the victim to the end of the alley, he pinned her to the ground with his body and repeatedly attempted to penetrate the victim’s vulva with his fingers as the victim tried to resist. Passersby heard the victim screaming and flagged down nearby police officers, who arrested the defendant on scene.

            This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department’s Sexual Assault Unit.  It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristin Sourbeer.

Source: United States Attorneys General 4

            WASHINGTON – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia announced today that there is insufficient evidence to pursue federal criminal civil rights or District of Columbia charges against two Deputy U.S. Marshals involved in the fatal shooting, in February 2023, of Alaunte Scott outside of an apartment building in Southeast Washington.

            The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) conducted a comprehensive review of the incident. This included a review of witness accounts, physical evidence, surveillance video, and reports from the Metropolitan Police Department.

            According to the evidence, on February 28, 2023, a team of Deputy U.S. Marshals (DUSM) from that agency’s Enforcement Branch attempted to execute an arrest warrant on Scott outside of the Atlantic Gardens apartment complex in the 4300 block of 3^rd Street SE.  After being approached by several deputies, Scott fled into a courtyard and attempted to scale a fence that ran across the courtyard.  As Scott stood on a horizontal rail, the deputies tried to pull him off the fence to arrest him.  Scott was reaching into his waistband, and the deputies directed him to stop reaching.  However, Scott pulled out a gun.  Two deputies, DUSM Michael Maradin and Kevin Chan, then fired their service weapons at Scott.  After the shooting, deputies provided medical aid to Scott until DCFEMS arrived to transport him to Washington Hospital Center (WHC).  He was pronounced deceased by a WHC doctor during the transport.

            After a careful, thorough, and independent review of the evidence, federal prosecutors have found insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that DUSM Maradin and Chan used excessive force under the circumstances.

Use-of-force investigations generally

            The U.S. Attorney’s Office reviews all police-involved fatalities to determine whether sufficient evidence exists to conclude that any officers violated either federal criminal civil rights laws or District of Columbia law.  To prove civil rights violations, prosecutors must typically be able to prove that the involved officers willfully used more force than was reasonably necessary.  Proving “willfulness” is a heavy burden.  Prosecutors must not only prove that the force used was excessive, but must also prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the officer acted with the deliberate and specific intent to do something the law forbids.  Similarly, for District of Columbia offenses such as second degree murder or voluntary manslaughter, mitigating circumstance can exist, establishing a defense where a person actually believes and reasonably believes both that he is or others are in danger of serious bodily injury, and that the use of force is necessary to defend against that danger. 

            The U.S. Attorney’s Office remains committed to investigating allegations of excessive force by law enforcement officers and will continue to devote the resources necessary to ensure that all allegations of serious civil rights violations are investigated fully and completely. The Metropolitan Police Department’s Internal Affairs Division investigates all police-involved fatalities in the District of Columbia.

Source: United States Attorneys General 4

            WASHINGTON – A Texas man pleaded guilty today to a felony offense related to his conduct during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.

            Adam Lejay Jackson, 43, of Katy, Texas, pleaded guilty in the District of Columbia to a felony offense of assaulting a federal officer before U.S. District Judge Rudolph Contreras. Jackson is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 9, 2024.

            According to court documents, Jackson traveled to Washington, D.C., on Jan. 5, 2021, via plane with his co-defendant/brother and a friend to protest Congress’ certification of the Electoral College.

            On January 6, Jackson and others with him attended the “Stop the Steal” rally on the National Mall and afterward marched with other protestors to the Capitol. Jackson arrived at the West Plaza of the U.S. Capitol and interacted with other rioters. Court documents say that Jackson made several statements to other rioters heavily outfitted in tactical military gear who were walking by, including “Are we going in?”, “We got your back; let’s go”, “Hey, you know what – if one goes, we all go”, and “What are we doing standing here? Let’s go!”

            At approximately 4:15 p.m., in the midst of a crowd of rioters densely assembled on the Lower West Terrace, Jackson and a friend climbed to the top of a ladder. From that vantage point, Jackson watched the violence taking place at the mouth of the Lower West Terrace Tunnel. He used his cell phone to make a video of what was happening there, often zooming in to focus on the aggressive conduct of the rioters.

            At about 4:57 p.m., Jackson had gathered with other rioters on the Lower West Terrace. At that location, law enforcement officers assembled at the mouth of the Lower West Terrace Tunnel, fending off rioters who were attacking and attempting to enter the Capitol building. Here, Jackson assaulted law enforcement officers first by hurling a large, red/orange cone-like object at them and then by charging at and ramming them with a stolen police riot shield.

            A few days later, on January 10, Jackson engaged in a conversation with another individual on Facebook. The individual stated to Jackson, “Looks like you guys were all up in it!” to which Jackson replied, “We were. I’m f— p—at what is happening and the things that are being covered up.” The individual then asked Jackson, “Are you going back for inauguration?” to which Jackson replied, “I’m gonna do my best to get there. Working on it.”

            A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

            The case is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Counterterrorism Section of the Department of Justice’s National Security Division. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas.

            The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Houston and Washington Field Offices. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.

            In the 32 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 398 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.fbi.gov.

Source: United States Attorneys General 4

            WASHINGTON – Nijinsky Dix, 40, of South Bend, Indiana., was sentenced today to 18 years in prison for fatally shooting a man she was casually dating. In addition to the prison term, Superior Court Judge Marisa J. Demeo ordered five years of supervised release. The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Acting Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

            Dix pleaded guilty, on February 13, 2023, to second degree murder while armed. According to the government’s evidence, at approximately 5:26 p.m. on November 14, 2020, officers with the MPD responded to the report of a woman with a gun and the sound of gunshots in a residential building in the 1000 block of 4th Street, S.W.  Dix, a PhD student and an employee of the University of Notre Dame, was found holding a .9 mm handgun and kneeling at the feet of 44-year old Terry Hickman, who was lying face down on the floor. Hickman had been shot multiple times in the head and body and died.

            An MPD Investigation determined that in late February 2020, Dix met Mr. Hickman in a bar near South Bend and the two began a casual pandemic relationship that lasted for several months. Mr. Hickman, who was recently divorced, did not want a long-term relationship with Dix. The defendant could not accept the boundaries. She insinuated herself into Mr. Hickman’s life, reaching out to members of his family for support and advice, offering money, trips, and jewelry to the victim and the victim’s daughter. Mr. Hickman tried to end the relationship in August of 2020, blocking Dix’s number on his phone and asking her not to contact him. Dix ‘s obsession with Mr. Hickman continued into the fall of 2020 and she became jealous of other women she believed had his interest. At one point, Dix told a family member that she had purchased a gun in Florida. On September 6, 2020, Dix flew to D.C. from Indiana and arrived unannounced at Mr. Hickman’s apartment. In the days leading up to Mr. Hickman’s death in November of 2020, there were text messages between the victim and a woman with whom he was trying to establish a business relationship. On November 12, 2020, Ms. Dix texted a friend and expressed anger that Mr. Hickman might be using her to have a relationship with the other woman, writing: “I will f**k him up if he tries to connect me with a broad he’s trying to f**k or has f**ked. I will kill him. Literally.”  Two days later, on November 14, 2020, Dix departed South Bend, Indiana, carrying a passport. She checked an unloaded firearm and a box of .9 mm ammunition in her luggage. She landed in Washington, D.C., rented a car, drove to Mr. Hickman’s apartment, confronted him, and fatally shot him.

            This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Interrante, who investigated and prosecuted the case.

Source: United States Attorneys General 4

            WASHINGTON – A Florida woman was sentenced today on a felony charge for her actions during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Her actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.

            Corinne Montoni, 33, of Lakeland, Florida, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Royce C. Lamberth to 30 days in prison, 24 months of supervised release, and ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution. Montoni pleaded guilty to a felony charge of civil disorder on June 26, 2023, in the District of Columbia.

            According to court documents, on Jan. 6, 2021, Montoni unlawfully entered the Capitol through a broken door next to the Senate Wing Door on the west side of the building. After entering, she proceeded through the building, making her way to the Capitol Crypt. While inside, Montoni took several videos with her cell phone, including one video posted to her Instagram account in which she states, “We’re in the Capitol cuz this is our house – we paid for this, and they’re trying to steal it from us. Let’s go!”

            While inside a hall of the Capitol, Montoni was in the midst of a crowd surrounded by other rioters. Montoni and others began to push against officers, attempting to stop them from proceeding. In another video recording, Montoni can be seen yelling, “Push back! Push back!” in support of the crowd of rioters.

            Court documents say Montoni remained in the Capitol for approximately 10 minutes before exiting. She re-entered the building at least one time despite being aware that police were attempting to remove people from the building.

            According to court documents, Montoni posted on social media throughout the day about January 6th and her experiences at the Capitol. On her Parler account, she stated, in part, “WE BREACHED THE CAPITOL OMG“; “Insurrection is coming. Hold the line. Stay vigilant.”; “Storming the Capitol to take back our country from traitors! This is OUR HOUSEEEE!”; and “Here’s a pretty little view form inside the Capitol at our traitor DC police, with a smashed window.” On her Facebook account, she stated, in part, “We are DONE with these traitors. Today, we showed them how done we are. The Capitol building belongs to Us, we the people. This is our house. . . We broke a few windows, sure but we are a peaceful protect occupying the people’s property.”

            Montoni was arrested on March 9, 2021, in Lakeland, Florida.

            This case was 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 Florida.

            This case was investigated by the FBI’s Tampa and Washington Field Offices, as well as the Metropolitan Police Department, with significant assistance provided by the U.S. Capitol Police.

            In the 32 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 398 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.fbi.gov.