District Man Sentenced To 15-Year Prison Term For Brazen Home Invasion In Southeast Washington-Second Assailant Was Fatally Shot By Victim-

     WASHINGTON - Jaren Holley, 23, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to a 15-year prison term for a brazen, armed home invasion he committed in Southeast Washington, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. announced. During the crime, Holley’s accomplice was fatally shot by one of the victims, who feared for his life.

     Holley pled guilty in January 2014, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, to charges of first-degree burglary, aggravated assault, and a firearms offense. He was sentenced by the Honorable Ronna L. Beck. Upon completion of his prison term, Holley will be placed on five years of supervised release.

     According to the government's evidence, on Sept. 19, 2012, at about 8:30 p.m., Holley and 21-year-old Joel Johnson armed themselves with firearms and participated in a home invasion in the 4200 block of First Street SE. The victim was returning to his apartment building from a grocery store. Holley and Johnson waited until the victim was closing the door to his residence. At that point, they rushed the door and pushed past him into the man’s third-floor apartment. A woman in the residence was cooking dinner when the assailants rushed in.

     Holley assaulted the man by hitting him on the head with a firearm, while Johnson ran after the woman. She was able to escape into her room, and then managed to jump out the third-floor window to get away. She broke her ankle and several toes, and ran away in search of aid.

     Meanwhile, the man struggled with Holley, and gained control of Holley’s firearm. After losing control of his gun, Holley repeatedly urged Johnson to shoot and kill the man. Johnson had his gun drawn, and the man, believing he was about to be shot, fired the gun he took from Holley twice. Johnson died on the scene from gunshot wounds. Holley then fled out the window and was able to leave the area without injury.  Holley was arrested several days after the attack. During his flight, Holley left behind a hat which was found to contain his DNA.

     In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Machen praised those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department.  He also acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialists Richard Cheatham, Anthony Griffith, and Antoinette Sakamsa. Finally, he expressed appreciation for the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tejpal S. Chawla, George Pace and James Petkun.