Murder, Drug Possession and Firearm Charges Yields Guilty Plea from D.C. Man

             WASHINGTON – Quateze Moore, 46, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty today to the shooting death of Martinez Robinson in Northwest D.C. on August 23, 2024, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.

             Moore entered a global guilty plea to voluntary manslaughter while armed. Moore also pleaded guilty to possessing a controlled substance (cocaine) with the intent to distribute it while armed, before Superior Court Associate Judge Jason Park. Judge Park ordered that Moore continue to be held without bond pending sentencing.

             A sentencing hearing is scheduled to occur before Judge Park on March 27, 2026.

             According to the government’s evidence, on August 23, 2024, Moore was at 14^th and Girard Street Park when he and the victim, Martinez Robinson, encountered one another. After a short period of time, Robinson ran out of the park and the defendant followed, shooting him as he was running away. Moore’s gunfire struck Robinson three times, once in the right arm, once in the right thigh, and once in the torso, causing injuries from which Robinson died. The defendant’s dog, Ace, was also struck by his gunfire and killed. Moore confirmed that, in shooting Robinson, he was acting voluntarily, and that he was not acting in self-defense. Robinson was found in possession of a Glock 23 .40 caliber firearm with a laser, a giggle-switch and 19 live cartridges in a 22-capacity magazine, which he had not fired.

             The defendant was arrested on January 1, 2024, while seated in the front passenger seat inside a vehicle. At the time of his arrest, members of MPD recovered a firearm from under Moore’s seat. MPD also recovered a clear plastic bag from in-between the center console and Moore’s seat. The clear plastic bag contained numerous substances that, after chemical testing, yielded positive results for cocaine, fentanyl, heroin, and oxycodone.

             Moore has been in custody since his arrest. 

            Joining in the announcement was Interim Chief Jeffrey Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department.

            This case is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie Dinan.