Marcus Hazel, 32, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced on Mar. 20 to 10 months in prison for strangling his romantic partner in November 2025, according to U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
The case highlights the legal consequences of domestic violence incidents and the efforts by law enforcement and prosecutors to address such offenses in the District of Columbia.
Hazel pleaded guilty to a charge of strangulation in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia on Jan. 16, 2026. Judge Judith Pipe ordered Hazel to serve a 10-month sentence for this offense.
According to government evidence presented in court, Hazel and the victim were at the Gateway Hotel on New York Avenue, NE, around 9:00 a.m. on Nov. 28, 2025. The incident began when Hazel became angry about losing his cell phone. The victim offered her own phone until he could replace his, but Hazel refused and demanded she buy him a new one. After an argument during which the victim repeatedly asked Hazel to leave the hotel room, he placed both hands around her neck and applied pressure until she could not breathe. He then slammed her to the floor and continued strangling her until she nearly lost consciousness.
Interim Chief Jeffery W. Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department joined Pirro in announcing the sentence. Both officials commended investigators from the Metropolitan Police Department and acknowledged Assistant U.S. Attorney Elias Feldman from the Sex Offense and Domestic Violence Section for prosecuting the case.
The sentencing underscores ongoing efforts by authorities in Washington, D.C., to address domestic violence cases through prosecution and collaboration between law enforcement agencies.
