WASHINGTON, D.C. – A Washington, D.C. woman endured a terrifying two-hour ordeal at the hands of Andrew James, 32, and his accomplice, Taurean Hobdy. James, also known as Jeremiah Butts, was sentenced today to seven years in prison after a Superior Court jury found him guilty of kidnapping, first-degree burglary, robbery, and felony threats. The January 4, 2024, home invasion left the victim severely beaten and traumatized, according to court documents.
The nightmare unfolded shortly after midnight when the victim arrived at her townhome to find James and an unidentified female already inside, waiting in the vestibule. Armed with a handgun, James forced the victim into an interior room and directed the unidentified woman to assault her. For two agonizing hours, James held the victim hostage, demanding money she allegedly owed him. The situation escalated to a chilling level when James began running a bath, simultaneously threatening to drown the victim if she didn’t comply with his demands.
The victim, desperate to escape the escalating violence, managed to send a text message to her mother requesting police assistance. She ultimately relented, giving James the PIN to her EBT card. Following James’s instructions, Hobdy then used the stolen EBT card to make unauthorized purchases at a local corner store. When officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrived on the scene, they discovered the severely beaten victim hidden in a closet, buried under a pile of clothes.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro had requested a thirteen-year prison sentence for James, arguing it was appropriate given the brutality of the crime and the fact that he was already pending charges at the time of the kidnapping. Hobdy, 32, received a five-year sentence on May 30, 2025, also followed by five years of supervised release. The U.S. Attorney’s Office had sought a ten-year sentence for Hobdy.
“This was a calculated and vicious attack on a vulnerable victim,” stated U.S. Attorney Pirro. “The defendant not only invaded her home but subjected her to hours of terror and physical abuse.” MPD Chief Pamela Smith joined Pirro in commending the diligent work of the investigators and prosecutors involved in bringing James and Hobdy to justice. The case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren Miller, Katerina Qesari, and Mark Levy.
While the sentences bring a measure of closure to this case, the victim’s ordeal serves as a stark reminder of the violence that continues to plague the nation’s capital. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the sentencing of the unidentified female accomplice should charges be filed. The investigation remains open regarding her involvement.
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Key Facts
- State: Washington DC
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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