Mocobizscene- According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Thursday, a total of 26 individuals have been charged with felony strangulation in D.C. since the law was enacted several months ago. Notably, six of these cases have occurred since early February 2024.
According to a statement, six men were charged between Feb. 5 and Feb. 13 in cases involving either female or child victims.
According to Matthew Graves, the U.S. Attorney for D.C., his agency has been actively prosecuting cases involving strangulation-based crimes since the legislation was implemented in July 2023. He expressed his desire to establish this legislation as a permanent measure.
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- On Feb. 5, officials said Deangelo Dunn, 27, was arrested and charged with choking a female victim because she refused to give him money. He was later released, officials said.
- Also on Feb. 5, officials said Michael Alston, 58, was charged with strangulation and assault with a dangerous weapon after allegedly punching a 72-year-old woman, choking her, and threatening her with a knife. Alston was later released on GPS monitoring.
- On Feb. 7, Ronald McKinnon, 63, was arrested and charged for allegedly assaulting and strangling a woman in his home and confining her in the basement. He is currently being held due to an additional hold-eligible offense as felony strangulation is currently not hold-eligible.
- On Feb. 10, Marc Gatling, 40 was arrested for allegedly attacking and strangling a female victim on Feb. 9 after the two got into an argument, officials said. The victim returned to the premises to retrieve her items, but Gatling allegedly tried to keep her from leaving, eventually pushing her and strangling her. Gatling was later released.
- On Feb. 12, Leonel Bonilla, 27, was accused of attacking a female victim in D.C. after an argument the two had in a car. At some point, Bonilla allegedly pulled the car over and put his hands around her neck until she lost consciousness. He was presented to a judge on the same day of the arrest and was held due to an additional offense.
- On Feb. 13, Lontez Williams, 40, was arrested after he allegedly wrapped his hands around the neck of a three-year-old before allegedly hurling the victim toward a couch when his family intervened to stop him. Williams appeared before a judge on the same day and was held for other charges.
The Metropolitan Police Department thoroughly investigated all incidents.
U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves stated that the data reveals a shocking reality – individuals who an intimate partner strangles face an alarming 800% higher risk of becoming victims of homicide.
In light of this grave danger, their advocacy for a felony charge for strangulation has been successful. They express gratitude towards the Council for passing and the Mayor for signing the emergency legislation, which temporarily establishes a specific felony related to this issue.
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