WASHINGTON – Nineteen-year-old Donathan Taylor is looking at seven years behind bars after admitting to a brazen string of crimes across the District. Taylor pled guilty this week to charges stemming from two robberies and a home break-in, all committed with a callous disregard for the safety of D.C. residents.
According to court documents, Taylor confessed to damaging a door during a break-in on April 1, 2015, at approximately 10:30 a.m. in the 200 block of 17th Street NE. The spree continued over a year later, escalating to robbery on May 25, 2016, around 11:35 a.m. in the 1600 block of G Street SE. But it was the armed robbery on June 24, 2016, at approximately 2:45 p.m. in the 600 block of Buchanan Street NW that truly painted Taylor as a dangerous threat.
U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips announced the guilty plea, entered on March 3, 2017, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The deal, which still requires approval from the judge, proposes a seven-year sentence. The Honorable Kimberley S. Knowles has scheduled a hearing for May 19, 2017, to determine if the plea will be accepted and the sentence imposed.
The brazen nature of these crimes – committed in broad daylight – highlights a growing concern for public safety in the nation’s capital. While Taylor has admitted his role, a co-defendant in the June 24th armed robbery remains at large and awaits trial, suggesting a potentially larger criminal network at play. Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward.
Phillips lauded the work of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) in building the case against Taylor, as well as the crucial forensic evidence provided by the Latent Fingerprint Unit of the District of Columbia Department of Forensic Sciences. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael J. Romano and Kamil E. Shields were instrumental in securing the guilty plea, demonstrating the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s commitment to prosecuting violent offenders.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle against crime in Washington, D.C. While a seven-year sentence offers a degree of accountability for Taylor’s actions, it remains to be seen whether it will be enough to deter others from following in his footsteps. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and provide updates as they become available.
Related Federal Cases
- Capitol Breach: LA Man Gets Convicted · Washington
- Arkansas Man Admits Beating Cop at Jan. 6 Riot · Arkansas
- Capitol Rioter Nabbed: Stolen Shield & Tunnel Brawl · Washington
- Colorado Man Faces Charges in Jan. 6 Capitol Riot · Colorado
- Florida Man Pepper-Sprays Cops at Jan. 6 Riot · Washington
Key Facts
- State: Washington DC
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
