Man Pleads Guilty in Series of Assaults and Robberies

Man Pleads Guilty in Series of Assaults and Robberies

- Brandished Knife in Some of the Attacks -

        WASHINGTON - Samuel Eggleston, 19, of Bowie, Md., pled guilty today to charges stemming from a series of crimes that took place last year, including armed assaults, robberies, and an attempted burglary, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. announced.

        Eggleston pled guilty in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia to charges of armed robbery, robbery, assault with intent to rob, carrying a dangerous weapon, attempted second degree burglary and assault with intent to commit first degree sexual abuse.  The Honorable Ann O’Regan Keary scheduled sentencing for June 16, 2011.

        According to the government’s evidence, two of the incidents took place on April 7, 2010. In one, Eggleston entered a home on Ellen Wilson Place SE at about 6:30 p.m., was confronted by the woman who lived there, and left when told to get out.  Fifteen minutes later, he followed another woman into an apartment building in the unit block of I Street SE, and knocked on her door three times.  The first time, he asked her if he could use the bathroom and was turned away. The second time, he asked for a glass of water and the woman provided it.  The third time, he lunged at the victim with a knife.  The victim was able to safely close the door.

        In court, the defendant further acknowledged that on October 9, 2010, at approximately 1:25 a..m., he approached two women sitting on the front steps of a house in the 900 block of Constitution Avenue NE.  He asked them if they had a cigarette.  Eggleston then produced a large white-handled kitchen knife, and stated “Give me your purses or I’m going to cut you up.”  The defendant waved the knife in a threatening manner.  Each woman gave him about $40.

        Eggleston also admitted that on October 10, 2010, at about 1:15 a.m., he followed another victim into her apartment building in the 500 block of 13^th Street NE.  When the victim tried to open the door to her apartment, the defendant said “Give me your money.”  She turned around and saw Eggleston pointing a large knife at her.  He took the victim’s iPod and then attempted to force her into a stairwell.  The victim grabbed the blade of the knife, and Eggleston eventually let go, and ran out of the building.

        Finally, on October 12, 2010, at about 2 p.m., Eggleston followed another victim into her apartment building in the 500 block of 12^th Street NE.  As she was attempting to unlock her apartment door, he approached her from behind and stated “Where’s the money?”  The victim told him that she did not have money, but only credit cards.  The victim dropped her purse on the floor in front of her apartment door.  Eggleston was holding a large kitchen knife to her back.  He told the victim to go into her apartment and then followed her inside.  He ordered her to “bend over and lift her dress up.”  She fought and struggled with the defendant.  The defendant ran out of her apartment and took the victim’s wallet, house keys, and car keys. 

        Eggleston then drove away in the victim’s car.  On the following day, Prince George’s County Police stopped the defendant while he was driving the victim’s car.