WASHINGTON - James E. Wade, 30, of Washington, D.C., pled guilty today to an armed robbery charge stemming from a hold-up that took place last spring outside a Northwest Washington restaurant, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. announced.
Wade pled guilty in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. He is to be sentenced Nov. 7, 2013 by the Honorable Robert I. Richter. He faces a statutory maximum of 30 years in prison.
According to the proffer of evidence, signed by the defendant as well as the government, on May 17, 2013, at approximately 9:20 p.m., the two victims were dining at a table in front of a restaurant in the 1400 block of 12th Street NW when Wade approached them. He was brandishing what appeared to be a handgun. Wade demanded the victims’ property, and the two men turned over their cash, wallet, and cell phone. After taking the property, Wade fled.
Footage from the restaurant’s security camera was released to the public through various media outlets, along with a number for the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). The police received many calls from citizens on the tip line identifying the suspect in the video as Wade. Others who were familiar with Wade also identified him as the perpetrator of the robbery. On June 8, 2013, police officers located Wade and placed him under arrest.
U.S. Attorney Machen expressed his appreciation to those who investigated the case for the MPD as well as the citizens who came forward with information. He also commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Sroka, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
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Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
