Roger St John | Homicide Watch DC

Gary Johnson Charged in Rhett Gelb's death

Imari Williams — Fri, 05 Dec 2014 21:35:22 -0500

A judge ordered Gary Johnson held Friday on suspicion of felony murder and distribution of a controlled substance in connection with the robbery and murder of Rhett Gelb in May 2013.

Gelb was found next to a Cadillac Escalade at the intersection of New Hampshire Avenue and Hamilton Street Northwest. He died later from his injuries.

Johnson, 51, is the third person arrested in the case. Roger St. John and Lawrence Wilkerson were arrested on suspicion of felony murder while armed in Gelb's death. Police believe Johnson to be a participant in Gelb's murder.

According to a witness, it and another individual accompanied Gelb to Washington, D.C., from Colonial Beach to purchase drugs, documents say. The witness told police that Gelb was a drug dealer and at times used middlemen to purchase drugs. It said Gelb used a man named "Gary," court documents state.

The witness said it overheard Gelb speaking to Johnson on the phone planning to meet to complete the transaction. According to the witness, when they arrived at the agreed location, Gelb told the person, in a phone conversation, "I'm here," charging documents say. While they waited, it saw Johnson come from behind the truck and enter the vehicle through the passenger side rear behind Gelb.

Johnson and Gelb discussed money and drugs and Johnson told Gelb that an individual driving a silver car would be delivering the drugs, according to the witness. Documents say Gelb then counted out five-hundred dollars to Johnson and handed him the money.

Shortly after, a silver Lincoln arrived and parked on Hamilton Street Northwest in front of Gelb's Cadillac. Though the Lincoln's windows were tinted, a witness saw the driver, who later was identified as Roger St. John, according to court documents. It said Wilkerson exited the front passenger side of the vehicle and entered Gelb's truck on Johnson's side behind Gelb, documents state. St. John was arrested in December 2013.

After Wilkerson got into the backseat of the truck, he aimed a gun at Gelb and demanded money. When Gelb didn't respond, Wilkerson pulled Gelb by the hair asking: "Where is the money?"

"You think this is a game?" Wilkerson asked, according to documents.

Another witness said Johnson immediately handed the money he had received from Gelb to Wilkerson and put his hands in the air.

Gelb then said, "F-- this," and got out of the truck. Once Gelb opened the door, Wilkerson fired the gun once, shooting Gelb in the head. Witnesses saw Wilkerson run towards Gelb and check his pockets before fleeing in the Silver Lincoln, documents say. Johnson left the area on foot.

Police were able to identify Johnson through his Facebook page provided by a witness, documents state. On Nov. 11, 2013, Johnson was arrested on unrelated charges and agreed to speak with police. Johnson admitted to setting up a drug deal with Gelb and Wilkerson, but he denied any involvement in setting Gelb up to be robbed and killed, charging documents say.

Johnson told police he knew the driver of the Lincoln, but denied speaking with him on the day of the shooting. According to call records, there were calls between Johnson and St. John before and after Gelb's death, court documents state. Johnson failed to identify anyone in a photo array containing Wilkerson, claiming they all looked older than the shooter.

Johnson is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on December 19 at 10:30 a.m. before Judge John Ramsey Johnson.

Charging documents are embedded below:

Third Suspect Arrested in Rhett Ghelb's Fatal Shooting

Imari Williams — Fri, 05 Dec 2014 08:25:15 -0500

Gary Johnson of Lanham, Maryland, has been arrested in connection to the murder of 22-year-old Rhett Gelb on May 27, 2013, MPD announced Thursday.

Johnson, 51, is suspected of first-degree murder while armed, police say. He is the third person linked to Gelb's death. Roger St. John and Lawrence Wilkerson have both been charged with the same offense.

Gelb was found at the intersection of New Hampshire Avenue and Hamilton Street Northwest next to a Cadillac Escalade. He died later at a local hospital.

A press release from MPD is after the jump.

Third Arrest Made in Homicide: Unit Block of Hamilton Street, NW

(Washington, DC)-Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch have announced a third arrest has been made in the fatal shooting which occurred in the unit block of Hamilton Street, Northwest.

On Monday, May 27, 2013, at approximately 7:50 pm, units from the Fourth District responded to the unit block of Hamilton Street, NW for the report of shooting. Upon arrival, they located an adult male suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel responded and transported the victim to an area hospital where he was admitted in critical condition. On Wednesday, May 29, 2013, the adult male succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.

The decedent is identified as 22-year-old Rhett Gelb of Takoma Park, Maryland.

On Tuesday, December 24, 2013, an adult male was arrested pursuant to a DC Superior Court arrest warrant charging him with Murder One while Armed.

On Monday, July 14, 2014, an adult male was arrested pursuant to a DC Superior Court arrest warrant charging him with Murder One while Armed.

On Thursday, December 4, 2014, at approximately 7:00 am, 51-year old Gary Johnson of Lanham, Maryland was arrested by members of the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force, pursuant to a DC Superior Court arrest warrant charging him with Murder One while Armed in the shooting death of Rhett Gelb.

Probable Cause found in "Bad Drug Deal" Scheme at Lawrence Wilkerson's Preliminary Hearing

Imari Williams — Fri, 25 Jul 2014 18:25:02 -0400

A judge found probable cause Friday in the case against Lawrence Wilkerson in connection with the shooting death of Rhett Gelb.

On May 27, 2013, Gelb was found at the intersection of New Hampshire Avenue and Hamilton Street Northwest next to a Cadillac Escalade. He died later at a local hospital.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberley Nielsen argued that Wilkerson's actions were premeditated and he intentionally sold fake drugs to Gelb before killing him.

"Wilkerson concocted this ruse of a drug deal, brought a gun, and created a way to get into Gelb's vehicle to pull the trigger," Nielsen said.

Charging documents in the case say Wilkerson shot Gelb during a drug deal after Gelb tried to pull one of his friends out of the car and away from Wilkerson.

Wilkerson, 41, is the second person arrested in the case. On December 24, Roger St. John was arrested on suspicion of felony murder while armed in Gelb’s death.

MPD Detective Joseph Della-Camera testified Friday that an unidentified witness, who has pleaded guilty in connection with Gelb's death, identified Wilkerson as the "shooter" and told police the drug deal was a "ruse".

According to the witness, the drugs were disguised as Oxycodone in a black bag and were going to be delivered by Wilkerson, Della-Camera testified.

Wilkerson's defense attorney, Dorsey Jones, argued that the prosecution's witness was not credible and was in possession of the money taken from Gelb, and that the unidentified witness didn't mention Wilkerson until after being arrested by police.

"The witness is not credible and was found with over $400 taken from Rhett Gelb and failed to implicate Wilkerson until charged with felony murder," Dorsey said.

Dorsey also argued that other witnesses in the case hadn't identified Wilkerson as the "shooter" in an array of photos and said "They all look too old; it was a younger guy".

Assistant U.S. Attorney Nielsen argued that the witness has been truthful in everything else and that it has no reason to lie.

Wilkerson will remain held in the case. A felony status conference is scheduled for September 19 before Judge John Ramsey Johnson at 11:00 a.m.

Lawrence Wilkerson Arrested in May 2013 Death of Rhett Gelb

Megan Arellano — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 17:24:10 -0400

A 41-year-old Southwest D.C. man has been arrested in connection with the May 2013 shooting death of 22-year-old Rhett Gelb.

The man, identified by police as Lawrence Wilkerson, is suspected of first-degree murder felony murder while armed.

The arrest occurred more than two weeks after a closed hearing for Roger St John, suspected of first-degree felony murder in the case.

A press release from MPD is after the jump.

Additional Arrest Made in Homicide: Unit Block of Hamilton Street, NW

(Washington, DC) - Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch have announced that an additional arrest has been made in the fatal shooting which occurred in the unit block of Hamilton Street, Northwest.

On Monday, May 27, 2013, at approximately 7:50 pm, units from the Fourth District responded to the unit block of Hamilton Street, NW for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, they located an adult male suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel responded and transported the victim to an area hospital where he was admitted in critical condition. On Wednesday, May 29, 2013, the adult male succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.

The decedent is identified as 22-year-old Rhett Gelb of Takoma Park, Maryland.

On Tuesday, December 24, 2013, members of the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force arrested an adult male of Northeast, Washington, DC pursuant to a DC Superior Court arrest warrant charging him with First Degree Felony Murder while Armed in connection to the shooting death of Rhett Gelb.

On Monday, July 14, 2014, members of the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force arrested 41 year-old Lawrence Wilkerson of Southwest, Washington, DC pursuant to a DC Superior Court arrest warrant charging him with First Degree Felony Murder while Armed in connection to the shooting death of Rhett Gelb.

Judge: Probable Cause That Roger St. John Participated in Rhett Gelb Murder

Ivan Natividad — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 15:50:10 -0500

Judge John Ramsey Johnson found probable cause Thursday that Roger St. John participated in the May 2013 shooting death of 22-year-old Rhett Gelb, even though St. John wasn't the shooter.

Charging documents say Gelb was shot and killed in a drug deal gone bad.

Witnesses told police that they were in Gelb's Escalade the night he was murdered, and that Gelb was parked in the unit block of Hamilton Street Northwest waiting for a middleman named "Gary," to buy $500 of marijuana.

When Gary arrived, he got into Gelb's car, and Gelb gave him the $500, documents state. But a few minutes later an unknown man entered the car through the right rear side door and pointed a gun at Gelb, demanding the money, charging documents state.

Gelb refused. He got out of the car and walked around to the right rear side of the vehicle to confront the unknown man, documents say. As Gelb opened the rear door, he was shot.

At the preliminary hearing Thursday, MPD detective Joseph Della-Camera testified that after the unknown man shot Gelb, he searched the front seat compartment for money. The shooter then left in a silver Lincoln Town Car.

"After the shot was fired, the shooter ran toward the Lincoln Town Car, but it was already pulling away," Della-Camera said Thursday. "The Lincoln then stops, the shooter enters the car, and they drive off."

Police believe St. John was the driver that night, and that he drove the shooter to and from the crime scene in the Lincoln Town Car, which was registered to St. John's wife, Della-Camera said.

Police found cell phone records that connect Gelb, Gary and St. John, including records of phone calls made between the three just before Gelb was killed.

Prosecutors argued Thursday that although St. John was not the man who shot Gelb, St. John is still held responsible because he accommodated the shooter, driving him to and away from the crime scene.

St. John's defense attorney, Mankea Sinha, claimed that St. John didn't know what was going on in Gelb's car, and that he drove away in fear after hearing a gunshot being fired.

The shooter has not been arrested and remains unidentified.

Gelb was found on May 27, 2013, at approximately 7:50 p.m. on the unit block of Hamilton Street Northwest with a gunshot wound. He was taken to a local hospital and admitted in critical condition. He died two days later.

More than six months later, police arrested St. John, 41, on suspicion of first-degree felony murder while armed in connection with Gelb's death.

St. John remains held pending a status hearing on April 11 with Judge Johnson.

Drug Deal, Robbery Alleged in Shooting Death of Maryland Man Rhett Gelb

Laura Amico — Thu, 26 Dec 2013 13:48:49 -0500

The shooting death of Maryland man Rhett Gelb in Northwest DC was a robbery attempt when Gelb attempted to purchase $500 worth of marijuana, a witness to the shooting has told police.

That's according to arrest documents charging Roger St John, of Northeast DC, with Gelb's death.

St John appeared in DC Superior Court Wednesday to be presented with the charge of first-degree felony murder. He was ordered held pending a preliminary hearing set for January 14.

According to two people who were in Gelb's car with him the night he was killed, Gelb had arranged to meet a middleman named "Gary" to purchase $500 worth of marijuana.

When Gelb parked in the unit block of Hamilton Street Northwest, Gary got in to the car. Gelb gave him the money and, a few minutes later, another man got into the car. That person pointed a gun at Gelb and demanded money, charging documents state.

Gelb refused to give the man money, got out of the car and had just opened one of the read doors when he was shot.

Video from a closed circuit television camera captured the parts of the exchange described by witnesses which occurred outside the car, including the unknown man getting out of a Silver Lincoln Towncar parked near Gelb and walking to Gelb.

The Towncar was registered to St John's wife and St John was later observed using it.

Detectives also believe that cell phone records connect Gelb, Gary and St John, including records of calls from just before Gelb was killed.

A copy of the charging documents is below.

St John, Roger Charging Papers Dec 2013 (PDF)St John, Roger Charging Papers Dec 2013 (Text)

Roger St John Arrested in May Shooting Death of Rhett Gelb

Laura Amico — Tue, 24 Dec 2013 15:54:48 -0500

A 41-year-old Northeast DC man has been arrested in connection with the May 2013 shooting death of Rhett Gelb.

The suspect, identified by police as Roger St John, is expected to be charged with first-degree felony murder, police said.

St John was arrested Tuesday.

DC Superior Court is open for arraignments through the Christmas holiday.

A press release from MPD is after the jump.

December 24, 2013

Arrest Made in Homicide: Unit Block of Hamilton Street, NW

(Washington, DC)-Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch have announced that an arrest has been made in the fatal shooting which occurred in the unit block of Hamilton Street, Northwest.

On Monday, May 27, 2013, at approximately 7:50 pm, units from the Fourth District responded to the unit block of Hamilton Street, NW for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, they located an adult male suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel responded and transported the victim to an area hospital where he was admitted in critical condition. On Wednesday, May 29, 2013, the adult male succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.

The decedent is identified as 22-year-old Rhett Gelb of Takoma Park, Maryland.

On Tuesday, December 24, 2013, members of the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force arrested 41-year-old Roger St John of Northeast, Washington, DC pursuant to a DC Superior Court arrest warrant charging him with First Degree Felony Murder while Armed in connection to the shooting death of Rhett Gelb.