Teens Charged in Assault of Former DOGE Employee
Two teenagers, 19-year-old Lawrence Cotton Powell and 18-year-old Anthony Taylor, are facing federal charges following an assault on former DOGE employee Edward Coristine in Washington, D.C. The charges include multiple counts of robbery and attempted carjacking.
Specifically, they are charged with two counts of first-degree robbery and assault with intent to commit robbery, each potentially carrying a 15-year prison sentence, plus one count of attempted carjacking, which has a maximum sentence of five years.
U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, Jeanine Pirro, discussed the charges during a press conference on Monday, emphasizing the importance of holding offenders accountable in the district.
“What stands out in this case is the background of Lawrence Cotton Powell,” she explained, noting he is a repeat offender who had been released by a judge right before the attack on Coristine, despite a history of violent crimes.
Pirro indicated that the U.S. Attorney’s Office had requested incarceration for Powell, but a local judge decided to suspend the sentence just days before the incident. “After his previous felony for attempted robbery and multiple probation violations, the judge simply released him, suggesting he ‘try harder,’” she noted, expressing frustration over the decision.
According to Pirro, Powell and Taylor were part of a larger group that assaulted another victim shortly before attacking Coristine. She recounted how Coristine tried to protect his female friend by getting her into a car when confronted by a group of around ten suspects.
As the assault unfolded, Coristine was violently hit multiple times. The suspects demanded the car keys from a woman inside the vehicle who was already locked in. They attempted to force open the doors, which, understandably, was a terrifying experience.
Pirro called on the D.C. City Council to reconsider laws that allow young individuals to commit such violent acts without facing appropriate consequences. “I urge you to stand up and send a clear message; the safety of our citizens is paramount,” she stated.
The incident occurred around 3 a.m. in the Logan Circle area, and images of a bloodied Coristine quickly circulated online, igniting public outcry regarding crime in the city and catching the attention of President Trump, who criticized the local government’s handling of crime.
In response, Trump asserted on social media that local youths and gang members were attacking civilians with little fear of repercussions. A few days later, he ordered an increase in federal law enforcement presence in D.C., dispatched the National Guard for patrols, and took control of the local police department.
