Maryland Man Sentenced to Over 22 Years for Fatal Stabbing

Herbert Smallwood, a 42-year-old man from Suitland, Maryland, was today meted out a 275-month sentence for the heinous crime of stabbing his acquaintance to death. The sentencing was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Robert J. Contee III, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), who also highlighted the gravity of the case.

In a stunning plea entered on April 4, 2022, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, Smallwood admitted to second-degree murder while armed. The Honorable Milton C. Lee, Jr., accepted the guilty plea and delivered the sentence, which also includes five years of supervised release following his prison term.

The attack unfolded on June 30, 2021, when Smallwood was driving in an SUV, closely following a Ford Focus driven by Joseph Ogundoju, 46. The Focus crashed and flipped over at the 1600 block of 17th Place SE, leaving Ogundoju critically injured. With a knife in hand, Smallwood exited his vehicle to stab his victim over 30 times, resulting in Ogundoju’s death shortly thereafter.

Surveillance footage confirmed Smallwood’s SUV was following Ogundoju’s car prior to the crash. The victim’s blood was also discovered on Smallwood’s clothing. He was promptly arrested and has been in custody ever since.

U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Contee commended the Metropolitan Police Department for their thorough investigation of the case, along with the efforts of Latrice Washington-Williams, Victim/Witness Advocate, Grazy Rivera, Paralegal Specialist, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Ganjei, who was instrumental in the investigation and prosecution.

This severe sentence sends a clear message about the consequences of such violent acts, ensuring justice is served for the Ogundoju family and society at large.

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