Wednesday, February 7, 2024

WASHINGTON – Keenan Smith, 42, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty today to one count of second-degree cruelty to children and one count of felony strangulation for an assault on a child which took place in Washington, D.C., on November 17, 2023, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves.

            U.S. Superior Court Judge Lynn Leibovitz set a sentencing date of April 5, 2024. Smith faces a sentence of up to five years for felony strangulation and up to 10 years for second-degree child cruelty to children. The prison term will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

            According to the government’s evidence, on November 17, 2023, Smith grabbed the child by his throat, using both of his hands, and slammed the child to the floor, causing the child to hit the back of his head.  The defendant strangled the child by squeezing the child’s throat with both of his hands, restricting the normal circulation of blood, and breathing of the child.  Smith strangled the child until he lost hearing and vision and blacked out. 

            Smith fled the scene and was arrested the next month pursuant to an arrest warrant.  He has been in custody since January 23, 2024, where he will remain until sentencing.

            This case is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department.

            The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Molly K. Smith of the Domestic Violence Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.