Category: US Department of Justice

Source: United States Department of Justice News

            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 Department of Justice News

            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 Department of Justice News

            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 Department of Justice News

            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.

Source: United States Department of Justice News

Defendant Brazenly Used Victim’s WiFi to Post Stolen Equipment

            WASHINGTON – Ashley Robinson, 31, of Bowie, Maryland, pleaded guilty today, in Superior Court, to one count of trafficking in stolen property in connection with stealing and reselling at least at least $110,233 worth of laptop computers from U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).  The plea was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Special Agent in Charge Amaleka McCall-Brathwaite, of the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General (SBA OIG), and Acting Investigations Branch Chief Brendt Johnson, of the Federal Protective Service (FPS).

            Superior Court Judge Erik Christian accepted Robinson’s guilty plea and scheduled sentencing for November 28, 2023. As part of the plea agreement, Robinson agrees to pay restitution to the victim.

            Robinson was employed as a contractor who was assigned to work at the SBA Information Technology Service Center service desk at SBA headquarters in Washington, D.C. According to the government’s evidence, between November 20, 2017, and August 22, 2018, Robinson stole and then resold at least 57 laptop computers from the SBA. In September and October 2017, the SBA received 100 Microsoft Surface Pro laptop computers, each of which was purchased for at least $1,933.92. Robinson had direct access to these computers as part of her job responsibilities, which included issuing computers to SBA headquarters staff. A few months later, the SBA’s Office of the Chief Information Officer determined that 72 of the laptop computers were unaccounted for and had never issued to SBA headquarters staff.

            The SBA’s Office of Inspector General (SBA OIG) launched an investigation which revealed that Robinson had taken possession of, posted, and sold, multiple SBA laptop computers on OfferUp, an online customer-to-customer marketplace used to buy and sell products and services and did so while was using the SBA headquarters’ guest wireless network. In total, the Defendant had sold 57 Microsoft Surface Pro computers on OfferUp to seven different individuals during the relevant period, for an approximate loss to the SBA of at least $110,233.44.

            In announcing the guilty plea, U.S. Attorney Graves, Special Agent in Charge McCall-Brathwaite, and Acting Investigations Branch Chief Johnson commended the work of those who investigated the case from SBA OIG. They also acknowledged the efforts of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Benjamin D. Bleiberg, with assistance from Assistant U.S. Attorney Molly Gaston.