Armed carjacking, shooting defendant accepts plea agreement, refuses release

By Natalie Note
– October 17, 2024
Carjacking | Daily Stories | Domestic violence | Non-lethal shooting | Suspicious |

An armed carjacking and shooting defendant accepted an extended plea agreement from prosecutors on Oct. 16 before D.C. Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe.

Kevin Settles, 37, was originally charged with armed carjacking, four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, assaulting an armed police officer, attempted unarmed carjacking and unlawful possession of a firearm Convicted of carrying a pistol without a license outside his home or business, unlawful discharge of a firearm, possession of an unregistered firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition.

These charges stem from his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting and armed carjacking in the 3000 block of B Street, SE, and another non-fatal shooting in which he allegedly attacked police in the 100 block of Ridge Road, SE. shot. Both incidents occurred on February 23, 2021.

According to court documents, Settles was sitting in the passenger seat of his girlfriend’s vehicle when he “became angry,” pointed a gun at her head and forced her to get out of the car. As she exited the vehicle and hid behind a parked car, Settles got into the driver’s seat, a short time later exited the vehicle, ran down the street and fired the gun into the air.

According to court documents, two Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers were responding to a medical emergency on a subway bus on B Street when they heard gunfire and saw Settles running toward them. Settles allegedly shot at the officers, who then returned shots. He then entered the driver’s side of a parked MPD Truancy Van and had to be physically removed by officers.

At the hearing, Settles accepted the prosecution’s plea agreement and pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on an armed police officer in exchange for dismissal of all other charges.

Brian McDaniel, Settles’ defense attorney, said Settles had been thinking about this agreement for some time and it was a “long time coming.”

Through the agreement, prosecutors agreed not to seek more than a 10-year sentence for Settles at sentencing. Judge Pipe found a factual basis for the plea offer and accepted Settles’ guilty plea.

McDaniel then filed his motion to have Settles released from the D.C. Jail while he awaits sentencing. McDaniel argued that the incident stemmed from mental health issues and that Settles is now taking medication and participating in programs to prevent another crime from occurring.

McDaniel said Settles has a sick mother he would like to spend time with and a 4-year-old child he would like to see.

Judge Pipe said there was no evidence Settles would adhere to medication and mental health programs if released into the community. Judge Pipe also said the facts of the case were “extremely concerning”.

Judge Pipe denied the defense’s request for Settles to be released before his sentencing.

The parties are scheduled to meet again on February 7th.