A Washington D.C.
judge is facing criticism from federal prosecutors and the country’s largest gun lobby for releasing an 18-year-old gunman with only an ankle monitor.
Amonte Moody was arrested after allegedly spraying a neighborhood near the U.S.
Capitol with more than two dozen rounds of ammunition using an AR-15 semiautomatic rifle, according to the U.S.
Department of Justice and Metropolitan D.C.
police records.
Although there were no reported injuries, Moody dismantled the weapon after firing it and hid in a basement before being apprehended by law enforcement.
Prosecutors argue that Moody should remain detained pending trial due to the serious nature of his charges, which include reckless endangerment; endangerment with a firearm; possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device; concealing an illegal firearm; illegal possession of a firearm; destruction of property, and tampering with physical evidence.
However, Magistrate Judge Lloyd U.
Nolan Jr., who has a background as a public defender, determined that Moody was not a threat to the community and released him under house arrest with an ankle monitor.
The decision to release Moody on bail has sparked outrage among federal prosecutors, who argue that it is not safe for him to be released on an ankle monitor because the devices are only monitored during business hours on weekdays, not on weekends.
Prosecutors have requested an emergency hearing to reconsider Moody’s release and ensure public safety.
Moody’s court-appointed attorney, Kavya Naini, argued that releasing him would be in his best interest so he could complete his high school diploma and claimed that the teenager had a supportive family who would help him comply with the terms of his house arrest.
The Washington D.C.
Public Defender Service’s Office of Public Affairs did not respond to requests for comment from The Epoch Times.
The National Rifle Association (NRA) has criticized Judge Nolan’s ruling in a letter, accusing the federal government of using its powers to target law-abiding gun owners while refusing to adequately confront violent crime within its jurisdiction.
Social media users have expressed their outrage over the judge’s decision as well.
The backlash has also led some media outlets to report on comments allegedly posted by Judge Nolan on Facebook, in which he reportedly boasted about being “woke” and pledged his support for Black Lives Matter, while also donating to a fundraiser for Gideon’s Promise, a foundation backed by billionaire George Soros.
Judge Nolan’s office number listed on the court’s website was out of service as of 10 a.m.
on May 14, and he could not be reached by email.
The D.C.
Court issued a press release highlighting Judge Nolan’s background as a Massachusetts native who served as an intern for President Bill Clinton appointee Judge Russell Canan before being appointed to the bench in 2010.
In 2016, Judge Nolan was celebrated by his alma mater George Washington University School of Law during its Black History Month celebrations.
The controversy surrounding Judge Nolan’s decision raises questions about the balance between public safety and an individual’s right to a fair trial and release on bail.
As the emergency hearing approaches on May 15, it remains to be seen whether Moody will remain released under house arrest or face detention pending his trial.