Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Armed Home Invasion in Northeast, Washington, D.C.

            WASHINGTON – Steven Wilson, 62, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced yesterday to 10 years in prison for his involvement in a January 5, 2017, armed home invasion at 78 Webster Street NE, Washington, D.C. This sentence followed a jury trial in September of 2018, where Wilson was convicted of several violent crimes, including First Degree Burglary, Kidnapping, Unlawful Entry, Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, Felony Threats, and Conspiracy to Commit Burglary.

            The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Liu and Peter Newsham, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

            Two additional defendants were previously convicted of crimes related to this home invasion. In December of 2017, a jury convicted Zakiya Ahmed, also known as Lori Fitzgerald, of similar crimes, including Kidnapping While Armed and Obstruction of Justice. The Honorable Judge Danya Dayson sentenced Ahmed to nine years in prison on May 11, 2018. In February of 2018, India Frazier, another co-conspirator, pled guilty to Robbery and First Degree Burglary, and was sentenced by the Honorable Judge Jose Lopez to seven years in prison pursuant to a plea agreement.

            As established at trial, on January 4, 2017, officers with MPD conducted a search warrant on the residence of the victim. The search warrant was based on information provided to police by the victim, who indicated that several persons, including co-defendant Ahmed, were trafficking narcotics out of his residence. The victim explained to police that he wanted Ahmed and her cohorts to leave, but due to the ongoing drug trade and the victim’s addiction, he was unable to get them to leave and turned to police to help him recover his residence.

            Police executed the warrant around 7:00 p.m., arresting several people for narcotics and forced Ahmed out of the apartment. Ahmed was told to leave the victim alone and not to return. Throughout the night of January 4, 2017, into the morning of January 5, 2017, Ahmed continued to text the victim from afar. Specifically, Ahmed demanded her property and became increasingly frustrated by the victim’s unwillingness to comply with her demands. Ahmed repeatedly threatened the victim via text message. Ahmed tried to come up with a plan to get back into the victim’s apartment, finally bringing Wilson and Frazier into the fold. Ahmed contacted Wilson and asked Wilson to bring his “friend,” a comment interpreted to mean a weapon or firearm.

            Around 4:30 a.m., the victim heard knocking on the door to his residence. The victim opened the door, only to be knocked back by an incoming Frazier and Wilson. Wilson forced the victim onto the floor, pistol-whipped him, kicked him, called him several inappropriate names, and threatened his life. During the course of the burglary—as Frazier and another conspirator took Ahmed’s property and more out of the residence—Wilson covered the victim’s face with a sheet or a piece of clothing, making the victim think he might die. Shortly after Wilson, Frazier, and another conspirator broke into the apartment, Ahmed walked in. Ahmed taunted the victim, calling him a snitch. After stealing from the victim, the group quickly left.

            In announcing the verdicts, U.S. Attorney Liu and Chief Newsham commended the work of those from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Metropolitan Police Department who were involved in the case. U.S. Attorney Liu and Chief Newsham expressed special acknowledgement for Assistant U.S. Attorneys, Gregory Rosen and Nicole McClain, who investigated and prosecuted the case and Assistant United States Attorney Eric Hansford, who assisted on appellate issues. They also acknowledged the efforts of Paralegal Specialist Donville Drummond and the entire Victim Witness Program, with specific appreciation of Witness Program Specialist Lesley Slade.