Kevin Charles | Homicide Watch DC

A Look Back on the 21st and Vietnam Cases in 2014

Imari Williams — Sun, 28 Dec 2014 17:50:37 -0500

It's been more than three years since Tyrell Fogle, Isaiah Sheffield and Steven Moore were killed in separate crew-related shootings in Northeast DC. This year their alleged killers were convicted and sentenced, ending a complex multi-defendant case.

Six men were charged in 2011 and 2012: Kevin Charles, Johnnie Harris, Anthony Hatton, Stanley Moghalu, Delrico Shuford, and Jewkan Smith. They were bound by their allegiance to "21st and Vietnam," a crew allegedly responsible for taking part in a number of violent acts that injured one person and killed Fogle, 17; Sheffield, 24; and Moore, 36. The men were all charged with 21 criminal counts including conspiracy, first-degree murder, obstruction of justice, assault and weapons charges for the 2011 murders.

On August 29, 2011, Tyrell Fogle was chased through Langston Terrace and gunned down by a masked man. Isaiah Sheffield was shot and killed in September 2011 when he rode his bike down 21st Street Northeast. Steven Moore was simply found shot, early in the evening of Dec. 3, 2011, in the 1100 block of 21st Street Northeast.

Shuford and Charles pleaded guilty in April and June 2013 for their involvement in the deaths of Moore and Fogle.

Shuford pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed and conspiracy in connection with Fogle's death. He testified later in the case that Hatton was the shooter and claimed that he himself played a limited role in Fogle's death.

Shuford told jurors that he didn't fire one gunshot at Fogle the night he was murdered, but that Hatton did, and that he tried to stop Hatton. Shuford told jurors that he used to belong to 21st and Vietnam, which is named after an area near 21st and I Street Northeast, where the group sold drugs. According to Shuford, his crew and another group called "E Street" had been "beefing" for a reason he could not remember dating back to at least 2010, and that beef is what ended Fogle's life. Shuford was sentenced to five years in prison.

Days before trial, Charles pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed and conspiracy to commit a crime of violence in connection with the December 2011 shooting death of Steven Moore. He was sentenced to five years in prison.

Harris, Smith, Hatton and Moghalu went to trial. During five weeks of testimony, prosecutors argued Fogle and Sheffield were murdered almost within a month of each other due to their affiliation with the rival gang "E Street."

Hatton shot Fogle, who was unarmed, over a woman, prosecutors said. He was shot three times -- in the back and the back of the legs -- as he tried to flee his own apartment because he was dating the same person as Delrico Shuford, according to prosecutors. The murder weapon was found at Hatton's feet when he was arrested.

About a month later, on Sept. 24, Fogle's friend Sheffield was riding his bike when he was shot multiple times by Jekwan Smith, prosecutors argued at trial. Sheffield attempted to hide behind a car and return fire, but it was too late.

Prosecutors added that two months later, the group murdered Steven Moore, a witness in Sheffield's death, who was believed to be a police informant, leading Jewkan Smith, Johnnie Harris and others to plot his death. The men had an unspoken agreement to protect each other, prosecutors said.

After three weeks of deliberations, Smith and Harris were cleared of first-degree murder while armed in connection with Sheffield's death. Harris and Moghalu were acquitted of killing Moore. Moghalu was also found innocent on a separate charge of committing a crime while on release, but a judge declared a mistrial after jurors couldn't reach a verdict on two counts of carrying a pistol without a license and unlawful possession of a firearm. Moghalu was retried in 2014 on the gun charges, convicted, and sentenced to three and a half years in prison.

But jurors could not reach decisions on the other men's charges in the cases, including charges of first-degree premeditated murder while armed, second-degree murder, conspiracy, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and carrying a pistol without a license in connection with Fogle and Sheffield's death. Smith, Harris, and Hatton's cases were declared a mistrial.

On Sept. 8, 2014, Smith, Harris and Hatton pleaded guilty to lesser charges for the deaths of Tyrell Fogle and Isaiah Sheffield.

Hatton pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed for killing Fogle and is serving a 15-year prison sentence.

Harris pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter for Sheffield's death and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Smith pleaded guilty to two counts of voluntary manslaughter while armed -- one count for Sheffield and another for the 2007 murder of Michael Pearson. He was sentenced to 17 and a half years.

The U.S. Attorney's Office and MPD declined to comment on whether the 21st and Vietnam crew remains active.

5 Year Sentence in Tyrell Fogle's Fatal Shooting; Judge: "This is a gift"

Imari Williams — Fri, 12 Dec 2014 12:58:18 -0500

A judge sentenced Delrico Shuford to five years in prison Friday for his participation in the shooting death of Tyrell Fogle, 17, on August 29, 2011.

Addressing the court, Shuford said: "I apologize to the family and I'm glad I had a chance to cooperate fully." He added, "I had no intentions of harming Fogle. I wish I could take it back."

In April 2013, Shuford pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed and conspiracy. Shuford testified later at trial that Anthony Hatton shot Fogle. Shuford said he had tried to stop him.

Shuford said that he spoke with Fogle months before his death and settled a dispute that began over a woman both men had dated. "We shook hands and left it then and there," Shuford testified.

Almost two months later, though, on August 29, Fogle was riding his bike along 21st Street when someone else affiliated with 21st and Vietnam told him that he better not come back to the area. Fogle relayed the message to a friend, and a little later, Fogle's friend and Shuford got into an argument, Shuford said.

Hatton heard about the argument, tracked Fogle down and shot him, according to Shuford.

Shuford is the last man to be sentenced in connection to the 21st and Vietnam killings.

Hatton, Kevin Charles, Johnnie Harris, and Jekwan Smith were sentenced last month for the murders of Fogle, Isaiah Sheffield, 24, and Steven Moore, 36, in 2011.

Police witnessed Hatton chase and fire shots at Fogle. They found Fogle suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Bach argued that Shuford had a small role in Fogle's death. "Shuford was making the right decision until he ran away," Bach said "He supported an associate, but he has shown a ton of remorse." She added: "He feels like it's his fault."

Shuford's defense attorney Elliott Queen agreed. "It's already been said, Shuford wished that the whole situation had not happened," Queen told the court.

"You did cause his death because of the lifestyle you lead," Judge Lynn Leibovitz said before sentencing. Leibovitz told Shuford, "This is a gift," and said she hopes that he takes it seriously.

Judge Delays Kevin Charles Sentencing

Amelia Rufer — Wed, 03 Sep 2014 21:45:03 -0400

Kevin Charles was set to be sentenced Wednesday in the December 2011 shooting death of Steven Curtis Moore, but a judge instead postponed the matter after Charles expressed doubt about his own guilt.

Charles pleaded guilty in June 2013 to voluntary manslaughter while armed and conspiracy to commit a crime of violence in connection with Moore's death. But after reading a series of letters from Charles, Judge Henry Greene explained that he was no longer convinced that Charles believed himself to be guilty.

"I don't see how I can sentence a man for a minimum of five years for something he says he didn't commit," Judge Greene said.

More than 14 months since Charles' plea, his former co-defendants Johnnie Harris and Stanley Moghalu were acquitted of charges in relation to Moore's death. Prosecutors alleged that the three men, along with Anthony Hatton and Jekwan Smith, were linked by their loyalty to a group called “21st and Vietnam".

In exchange for Charles' plea, prosecutors originally agreed to dismiss his other charges and to request a prison sentence of seven and a half to 10 years. On Wednesday, Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin Lyons said that prosecutors would ask for a reduced sentence of five to seven and a half years in Charles' case.

According to his letters to the court, Charles said he accepted the plea deal despite his innocence in order to eliminate the risk of losing in trial.

"I have not conspired to harm anyone in no way, form, or fashion," Charles wrote in a letter dated Aug. 25, 2014. "Deep in my heart I know I should be home with my family, but my attorney and other attorneys convinced me that pleading guilty was the better option by the way things looked."

Almost a year earlier, on Aug. 26, 2013, Charles wrote, "I am very remorseful for my misconduct. Sincerely from my heart to the victim's family, also to my community for not continuing to display the good role model I am."

AUSA Lyons told the court that it is "not the least bit surprising" that the defendant is having second thoughts, noting that "his friends" received partial acquittals and mistrials.

"As time goes on and things happen, I'm sure [Charles] has some regrets, as many defendants do," Lyons said in court Wednesday.

Judge Greene added that Charles would be "opening himself up" if he withdrew his plea, saying he was "not sure how well [Charles] thought it through."

Charles' sentencing was rescheduled to Nov. 19 at 12:45 p.m., again before Judge Greene.

Kevin Charles Pleads Guilty in Connection with Steven Moore Death

Penny Ray — Fri, 21 Jun 2013 15:04:40 -0400

Just days before opening statements at trial, Kevin Charles pleaded guilty last week to voluntary manslaughter while armed and conspiracy to commit a crime of violence in connection with the December 2011 shooting death of Steven Curtis Moore, according to court documents. Charles is scheduled to be sentenced August 30.

Charles and co-defendants Johnnie Harris and Stanley Moghalu were scheduled to stand trial in the case this month. Court documents say that Harris and Moghalu will continue trial as scheduled, with opening statements expected to be heard Monday.

Court records do not indicate whether Charles is required to testify against Harris and Moghalu. Documents say, though, that in exchange for Charles' guilty plea prosecutors will dismiss all other charges against him, and will request no more than 10 years in prison at sentencing.

Moore was found shot in the 1100 block of 21st Street Northeast on the evening of December 3, 2011.

Charles, Harris and Moghalu, along with Anthony Hatton and Jekwan Smith, are suspected of being members of a crew called “21st and Vietnam.” As members of the group, they are suspected of taking part in a series of attacks that took the lives of Moore, Tyrell Fogle and Isaiah Sheffield.

Harris, Moghalu, Hatton and Smith are expected to resume trial Monday morning in front of Judge Henry Greene.

Available plea documents have been added to this post.

Kevin Charles Waiver of Trial (PDF)Kevin Charles Waiver of Trial (Text)

Johnnie Harris Pleads Innocent to Murder of Isaiah Sheffield

Penny Ray — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 23:56:00 -0500

Johnnie Harris was arraigned last week on new charges stemming from a 24-count superseding indictment that names Harris and five other men as members of a criminal street gang called “21st and Vietnam.”

Among other crimes, the indictment alleges that Harris participated in the shooting deaths of Steven Curtis Moore and Isaiah Sheffield. Harris was charged with the murder of Moore in May 2012; the charge of killing Sheffield was added earlier this month. Harris pleaded innocent to all charges.

Prosecutors say the shootings were the result of an ongoing feud between “21st and Vietnam” and a rival gang called “E Street,” which also took the life of Tyrell Fogle.

According to documents in the case, Moore was killed not for associating with the rival group, but because he had information that could help law enforcement in investigations. Kevin Charles and Stanley Moghalu have also been charged in connection with Moore's death.

Sheffield's murder, though, is believed to be a part of the neighborhood beef. Jekwan Smith has also been charged in connection with Sheffield's death.

Their trial is scheduled to begin June 10.

The superseding indictment is below.

Johnnie Harris Superseding Indictment (PDF)Johnnie Harris Superseding Indictment (Text)

Delrico Shuford Pleads Innocent to Murder of Tyrell Fogle

Penny Ray — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 16:11:51 -0500

A 21-count indictment charging a DC street gang with murder, conspiracy, and other crimes, has been amended to include a sixth suspect: 20-year-old Delrico Shuford.

Shuford was added to the indictment Wednesday, charged with conspiracy and first-degree murder in connection with the 2011 shooting death of Tyrell Fogle. Shuford pleaded innocent at his arraignment before Judge Herbert Dixon Thursday.

According to documents in the case, Fogyle was shot by masked men who chased him through Langston Terrace. Bullets struck Fogle three times in his back.

Anthony Hatton was arrested in connection with Fogle's death on Aug. 29, 2011, the same night as the incident. According to court records, two MPD officers witnessed the shooting and chased Hatton through a neighborhood. Hatton is believed to have eventually dropped a gun, put up his hands, and came out from hiding behind a bush. He is expected to be arraigned in connection with the case on Jan. 18.

Prosecutors say the shooting was the product of an ongoing feud between “21st and Vietnam” and a rival gang called “E Street.”

The 24-count superseding indictment charges six men: Kevin Charles, Johnnie Harris, Stanley Moghalu, Jekwan Smith, Hatton, and Shuford for their involvement in a series of murders that took the lives of Isaiah Sheffield, Steven Moore, and Fogle.

It states that the violent campaign was undertaken to protect members of “21st and Vietnam” and the streets they claimed as their own territory for drug dealing.

Shuford is scheduled for a status hearing Jan. 18.

Delrico Shuford Bench Warrant (PDF)Delrico Shuford Bench Warrant (Text)

Delrico Shuford Indictment (PDF)Delrico Shuford Indictment (Text)

Indictment Charges "21st and Vietnam" with Three Murders in Five Months in NE DC

Laura Amico — Mon, 14 May 2012 10:41:36 -0400

Tyrell Fogle was chased through Langston Terrace, a masked gunman in pursuit firing at him. Isaiah Sheffield was fired upon when he rode his bike down 21st Street Northeast. Steven Moore was simply found shot, early in the evening of Dec. 3, in the 1100 block of 21st Street Northeast.

Three deaths in five months in one DC neighborhood.

This month a DC grand jury charged five men with those crimes, saying that the murders were part of a neighborhood feud that pitted one group, "21st and Vietnam," against another, "E Street."

The indictment was filed May 8 and obtained by Homicide Watch Friday.

The indictment includes a total of 21 counts including conspiracy, first-degree murder, obstruction of justice, assault, and weapons charges. It states that the violent campaign was undertaken to protect members of "21st and Vietnam" and the streets they claimed as their own territory for drug dealing.

The five men charged in the indictment, Kevin Charles, Johnnie Harris, Anthony Hatton, Stanley Moghalu, and Jewkan Smith, are suspected of being members of "21st and Vietnam." As members of the group, they are suspected of taking part in the series of attacks that injured one person and killed Fogle, Sheffield, and Moore.

Tyrell Fogle

Fogle, 17, was killed Aug. 29, 2011. Hatton was arrested in connection with Fogle's death that same night. Two MPD officers witnessed the shooting and chased Hatton through the neighborhood. Hatton eventually dropped a gun, put his hands up, and came out of some bushes where he was hiding, Detective Alfred Thomas Austin-Braxton testified at a preliminary hearing in September. The indictment states that Fogle is believed to have been connected to "E Street."

Isaiah Sheffield

Sheffield, 24, was killed Sept. 24, 2011. Smith was arrested in connection with Sheffield's death about a month later. MPD Detective Dwayne Partman testified at a preliminary hearing that detectives knew then that Sheffield's shooting death was part of a neighborhood beef.

While Partman testified that there was "no information" that Sheffield was participating in the feud, the indictment states that he is believed to have been connected to "E Street."

Steven Moore

Moore, 36, was killed Dec. 3, 2011. A press release from MPD on Friday said that Charles, Harris, and Moghalu, were arrested Wednesday in connection with Moore's death. The indictment charges that Moore was killed not for associating with a rival group, but because he was capable of assisting law enforcement in investigations. Because of that the murder charges in his case could carry an additional penalty.

Court records, except for the indictment, in all three of the homicides have been sealed. A status hearing is scheduled for later this month.

Read the indictment below.

Three Men Arrested in Connection with Dec. Shooting Death of Steven Curtis Moore

Laura Amico — Fri, 11 May 2012 12:15:58 -0400

Three men were arrested Wednesday in connection with the December 2011 shooting death of Steven Curtis Moore.

Stanley Moghalu, 25, Kevin Charles, 21, Johnnie Harris, 20, are suspected of first-degree murder while armed.

A press release is after the jump.

May 11, 2012

Homicide Arrest: 1100 Block of 21st Street, NE

(Washington, DC)-Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch have announced arrests in the fatal shooting of Steven Curtis Moore which occurred in the 1100 block of 21st Street, NE.

On December 3, 2011, at approximately 6:33 pm, units from the Fifth District responded to the 1100 block of 21st Street, NE for the report of gunshots. Upon arriving, officers discovered an adult male suffering from gunshot wounds. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel transported the victim to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.

The decedent has been identified as 36 year-old Steven Curtis Moore of Northwest, Washington, DC.

On Wednesday, May 9, 2012, members of the Homicide Branch arrested 25 year-old Stanley Moghalu, 21 year-old Kevin Charles, and 20 year-old Johnnie Harris charging them with Murder One while Armed for the shooting death of Steven Curtis Moore.