District Man Sentenced to 6½ Years in Prison
For Obstructing Justice, Threats and Other Charges
- Defendant Committed Crimes After He Was Released Pending Trial -

     WASHINGTON - Donald Johnson, 50, has been sentenced to a prison term of 6 ½ years on charges stemming from an attack against his then-girlfriend and his subsequent efforts to threaten her and other witnesses in that case, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. announced today.

     Johnson, of Washington, D.C., pled guilty in September 2011 in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia to charges of obstructing justice, felony threats, destroying property, and committing offenses while on release. He was sentenced on February 3, 2012 by the Honorable Michael Ryan.

     According to the plea agreement, Johnson accepted responsibility for choking and attacking his then-girlfriend with a knife on July 8, 2011 at an apartment in the 2900 block of Nelson Place SE. He was arrested for this offense. He was released from court on July 13, 2011 with instructions to stay away from the victim and the location of the offense.

      However, hours after his release, Johnson disobeyed the court’s orders, returned to the scene of his crime, and threatened to kill his then-girlfriend and another witness to the attack, because he suspected they were cooperating with the police. He returned again, armed with a knife on July 17, 2011, and he slashed the tires of another witness to the July 8 assault. After the new crimes were reported, Johnson was ordered held without bond.

     In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Machen praised the work of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), especially Detective Andrew Richardson, who investigated the case and interviewed the witnesses. Mr. Machen additionally praised the exemplary work of Paralegals Tony Griffith and Antoinette Sakamsa. Finally, he recognized the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Ephraim (Fry) Wernick, who investigated and prosecuted the case.

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