Jury Finds Virginia Man Guilty of First-Degree Burglary In Northwest Washington

            WASHINGTON – James Miller, 41, of Virginia, has been found guilty by a jury of first-degree burglary, simple assault, and destruction of property in a break-in that took place in Northwest Washington in the middle of the night, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

            The verdict was returned on January 10, 2024, following a trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The Honorable Judge Robert A. Salerno scheduled sentencing for March 8, 2024.

             According to the government’s evidence, on September 19, 2023, at approximately 1:42 a.m., Miller broke into his pregnant ex-wife’s home by breaking through the front door. Immediately upon breaking into her home, the defendant charged at his ex-wife and assaulted her by grabbing her by the throat and throwing her to the ground. After she got back up, the defendant grabbed her by her bathrobe and threw her onto the couch. The victim and her 22-year-old-daughter (who witnessed Mr. Miller standing over her mother) called 911. Police arrived quickly at 1:49 a.m. and arrested Miller on scene. 

            This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Callie Hyde and Matthew Covert.