Washington, D.C. – Three District of Columbia men have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms following their conviction for the abduction, assault, and attempted killing of a 21-year-old woman in September 2006, U.S. Attorney Jeffrey A. Taylor announced today.

On January 25, 2008, Steven Edwards, 27, of the 1700 block of West Virginia Avenue, NE, Michael Robinson, 30, of the 500 block of 24th Street, NE, and Davone Kellibrew, 30, of the 600 block of Franklin Street, NE, were found guilty of assault with the intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, and various related weapons charges. Robinson and Kellibrew were also convicted of kidnapping while armed. In addition, Kellibrew was convicted on one count of first degree aggravated sexual abuse while armed. Today, Kellibrew was sentenced to 97 years in prison, Robinson was sentenced to 37 years, and Edwards was sentenced to 29 years.

According to the government’s evidence, on Thursday, September 14, 2006, at approximately 3:00 a.m., the defendants met the victim in the vicinity of 20th and Rosedale Streets, NE, Washington, D.C. A dispute arose between the victim and one of the three defendants, during which the victim was knocked to the ground and beaten by one of the defendants. The victim was then forced into an SUV and for over an hour she was driven around Northeast Washington, D.C., as the defendants threatened to kill her and forced her to perform sexual acts at gunpoint. Shortly after 4:30 a.m., the victim was driven to an alley in Northeast Washington, D.C., where she was taken from the vehicle, shot eight times, and left to die.

In announcing the sentences, U.S. Attorney Taylor praised the quick action and investigative work of Metropolitan Police Department Detectives Anthony Commodore and Eric Fenton. Mr. Taylor also commended Debra Smith, who provided paralegal support; Assistant U.S. Attorney Vivien Cockburn, who conducted the initial investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney William Woodruff, who prosecuted this case.