Titan Of Trinidad

As we mentioned previously, the March ANC5E meeting was, um, interesting.  Last week, we brought to light MPD’s presentation at the meeting, which advised citizens not to use the local bike trail alone due to crime and notified everyone that the fence wouldn’t be repair because criminals would just cut it open again.

Further in the meeting notes comes another interesting item:  ANC Commissioner Robinson-Paul asked fellow commissioners to use taxpayer-funded ANC cash to buy her a $500 laptop.  According to meeting notes, “Commissioner Robinson-Paul said she does not have a laptop and since so many communications are via email she needs one but cannot purchase it herself.”

The commissioner, whose unpaid position is part-time, without any enforcement authority, and entirely advisory in nature, vehemently objected when her colleagues questioned the proposal.  Commissioner Robinson-Paul insisted, “You guys can spend six thousand dollars on some dirt and plants but can’t buy me a laptop you are sick”.

In the ended, the ANC passed a motion to purchase a laptop, albeit with a limit of $400, instead of the requested $500. The motion passed with all commissioners except Robinson-Paul voting in favor.

Full ANC5E meeting minutes are below.
This post is the result of a reader tip. If you have a tip, let us know at titan@titanoftrinidad.com, or snitch anonymously using our online tip form or by leaving a message on our anonymous news tip line at 202-399-3868.

ANC5E notes 2013 03 19 by Scott Roberts

A quick update on the home at 1413 Morse St NE, which sold for $250k last year and then again at the end of last month (following a renovation):  the final sales price is $525k.

Here’s a link to the listing if you’d like to review photos, etc: http://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/1413-Morse-St-NE-20002/home/10096903

Of note, this is right across the street from the vacant home that someone spent about $365k on at auction recently.

In DC, we woke up to wet roads dampened by the snow that fell overnight.  However, DC schools, DC government, and the federal government all closed for the day, as did many local businesses and organizations.

As of this morning, DDOT’s road surface monitoring system indicates road temperatures of 33-36 degrees, and they were dropping slowly from about 45 degrees late last night before the snowfall.

While conditions are just a bit damp in DC, conditions are a bit more snowy out in Virginia and parts of Maryland.

There appear to be more signs of construction activity/progress at the Ohio Restaurant, located at 1380 H St NE (corner of 14th and H).  A reader writes:

Snapped this from the bus on the way to work. several guys working this morning. sign of moving forward?

MPD Chief Cathy Lanier

MPD states six members of DC’s “Show Out” gang plead guilty to various offenses.  The gang targeted Northwest DC’s Gallery Place area, and the leader was nicknamed “McLovin.”

Six men, all from Washington, D.C., pled guilty today to charges stemming from various gang-related crimes, including beatings, attempted robberies, and obstructing justice, announced U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. and Cathy L. Lanier, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

 

The defendants admitted actively participating in a crew called “Show Out” that committed crimes in the Chinatown, U Street and Adams Morgan areas. Since at least Jan. 1, 2012, the crew’s members canvassed the areas looking for targets of opportunity and teamed up to assault their victims, rob them of items of value, or both. The crew was also accused of engaging in “flash mob” style robberies at drug stores, convenience stores, and gas stations, in which multiple members flooded in to the business at the same time, overwhelming and intimidating the staff, and stealing items.

 

The guilty pleas took place in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The Honorable Lynn Leibovitz scheduled sentencing for May 10, 2013. All six defendants remain in custody pending sentencing.

 

Those pleading guilty included Bernard Trowell, also known as “McLovin,”19, described in an indictment as “the self-styled president” of the group, and two others who allegedly had senior positions, identified as Deandre M. Williams, 19, and Quayshawn L. Leggett, 20. Also pleading guilty were James D. Matheny, 19; Ricardo J. Williams, 20, and Travis L. Morris, 20.

 

Trowell pled guilty to one count each of conspiracy, aggravated assault, and committing a crime while affiliated with a criminal street gang. He faces a statutory maximum of 30 years in prison for the crimes. Deandre Williams pled guilty to one count each of aggravated assault, assault with significant bodily injury, obstructing justice, and committing a crime while affiliated with a criminal street gang. He faces a statutory maximum of 48 years in prison. Leggett pled guilty to one count each of aggravated assault, attempted robbery, and committing a crime while affiliated with a criminal street gang. He faces a statutory maximum of 18 years in prison.

 

Matheny pled guilty to one count each of aggravated assault, obstructing justice, threats to do bodily harm, and committing a crime while affiliated with a criminal street gang. He faces a statutory maximum of 45 ½ years in prison. Ricardo Williams pled guilty to one count each of aggravated assault, attempted robbery, and committing a crime while affiliated with a criminal street gang. He faces a statutory maximum of 18 years in prison. Morris pled guilty to one count each of aggravated assault and committing a crime while affiliated with a criminal street gang. He faces a statutory maximum of 15 years in prison.

 

Two other defendants in the case earlier pled guilty to charges, and a third adult member of the crew is being sought. The investigation into other members of the crew is ongoing.

 

“Today’s guilty pleas by six members of the Show Out Crew should serve as a warning to young people tempted by the lure of gang life,” said U.S. Attorney Machen. “This violent group took pleasure in targeting innocent victims for beatings and robberies. As a result of the decision to participate in this crew violence, each of these criminals – none older than twenty –will now spend many years behind bars. This prosecution demonstrates our clear resolve to crush the gangs that terrorize our city.”

 

“The gratuitous, unprovoked robberies and assaults perpetrated by this gang were motivated primarily by the gang’s desire to establish credibility and notoriety, which was promoted by the gang through social media,” said Chief Lanier. “They preyed upon individuals whom they perceived to be vulnerable. I applaud the officers and detectives from the First District, the members of the Intelligence Division and our partners at the US Attorney’s Office for getting these thugs off our streets.”

**

 

As part of their plea agreements, the defendants admitted participating in various crimes, including these incidents:

 

-June 5, 2012: Beating in the 600 block of H Street NW

 

All six defendants admitted taking part in the beating of a man near a bus stop in the 600 block of H Street NW. As the victim approached the bus stop, at about 3:20 a.m., he was surrounded and assaulted. Deandre Williams and a juvenile member of Show Out knocked the man to the ground, and then multiple members punched, kicked and stomped him. Deandre Williams and others stole items from the victim while he was on the ground, including his cellphone and bank card. The victim was knocked unconscious for several minutes. He eventually found a police officer and received medical attention. He was treated later for a concussion, broken nose, and bruises to the head, face and torso.

 

-June 5, 2012: Beating near 2d and K Streets NW

 

Crew members targeted a second victim at about 3:45 a.m. The victim was walking to work near 2d and K Streets NW when Deandre Williams approached him and struck him repeatedly about the face and head with his fists. The victim received medical treatment on the scene and later was given stitches to close a bleeding laceration to the side of his face. Deandre Williams pled guilty to assault with significant bodily injury for his role in this attack.

 

-June 7, 2012: “Flash Mob” near North Capitol Street and Florida Avenue

 

Ricardo Williams and several others approached a gas station and convenience store at about 4:20 a.m., in the area of North Capitol Street and Florida Avenue. After the station attendant opened the locked door, Williams and the others overwhelmed and intimidated him. They grabbed food or beverage items and fled without paying. Ricardo Williams pled guilty to attempted robbery for his participation in this attack.

 

-June 19, 2012: Obstruction of Justice

 

During the evening hours, Deandre Williams and others approached a former associate at a bus stop in Chinatown and threatened him that he would be harmed if he talked to police. Deandre Williams pled guilty to obstruction of justice for this incident.

 

-June 21, 2012: Attack at Metro Center

 

Leggett and others were on the lower platform at the Metro Center Metro station when they confronted a man at about 5:20 a.m. Leggett demanded money and threatened the victim. The victim did not give him any money, and one of the individuals punched him in the face, knocking him down. Leggett pled guilty to attempted robbery for his role in this attack.

 

-July 31-Aug. 1, 2012: Threats to Do Bodily Harm, Obstruction of Justice

 

Matheny posted audio recordings to his Facebook page, in which he is rapping. In three of them, he accused a Show Out member of “snitching.” The songs carried a threat that this member would be shot “on sight.” Matheny pled guilty to threats to do bodily harm and obstruction of justice for these threats.

 

**

In announcing the guilty pleas, U.S. Attorney Machen and Chief Lanier commended the work of the officers, detectives and crime scene technicians who worked on the case for the MPD. They also expressed appreciation for the efforts of the Metro Transit Police Department, which assisted in the investigation. Additionally, they thanked local businesses for their assistance in the investigation, including Transwestern, a property management company, and employees of Securitas, a private security firm. Finally, they praised the work of those who are handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas Bednar and Clare Pozos, who are prosecuting the matter.

From a public release by Kathy Henderson:

ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION SINGLE MEMBER DISTRICT 5D03/5D05

IT IS WITH GREAT SADNESS THAT WE INFORM YOU OF THE PASSING OF MS. DOROTHY LOTT. MS. LOTT WAS THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN TO MOVE INTO THIS COMMUNINITY AND SHE WAS A GREAT NEIGHBOR. MS. LOTT ATTENDED EVERY COMMUNITY MEETING DURING THE LAST TEN YEARS EXCEPT ONE AND SHE ALWAYS OFFERED A HELPING HAND TO THOSE IN NEED.

WE WILL KEEP YOU INFORMED ABOUT THE FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS AS THEY UNFOLD. PLEASE HELP US INFORM NEIGHBORS AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU.

Commissioner India Henderson, 5D03
And
Commissioner Kathy Henderson, 5D05; (202) 387-2777

Thanks to a reader who wrote in to give an update on the (nearly) $1 million home for sale on Florida Ave:

The listing is now under contract as of yesterday after their price reduction.

Following an open house the other weekend, the “Chevy Chase Style” home dropped its list price from $926,500 to $898,400.  Within a few days, the home is listed as having a sal pending.

While we’re not sure what the offer price is, a short time on the market usually indicates a competitive offer above the list price.

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