District Man Found Guilty Of Armed Robbery And Other Charges In 2012 Attack In Northwest Washington-Defendant Robbed Victim After Asking Her For Directions-

     WASHINGTON – Anthony Butler, 51, of Washington, D.C., was found guilty by a jury today of charges stemming from the armed robbery of a woman last fall in Northwest Washington, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. announced.

     Butler was found guilty in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia of one count each of armed robbery, carrying a dangerous weapon, and possession of an open container of alcohol, as well as two counts of felony threats. He is to be sentenced on May 17, 2013 by the Honorable A. Franklin Burgess, Jr. Butler, who has previous convictions for robbery, carjacking and other offenses, faces enhanced penalties that could lead to a life prison sentence.

     According to the government’s evidence, the attack took place about 8 p.m. on Oct. 27, 2012, near the National Zoo. The victim was walking alone near Adams Mills Road and Walbridge Place NW, headed to a friend’s house for a dinner party, when Butler saw her. He got out of a large red pick-up truck that was blocking her path and pretended to ask for directions.

     Butler quickly grabbed the woman’s arm, thrust a knife up to her stomach, and demanded her phone and purse. After he got those items, he demanded her necklace. When she couldn’t get her necklace off fast enough, Butler yelled at her to take it off or he would kill her. After robbing her, he told her to run in the opposite direction and again threatened her if she didn’t comply.

     Butler then took off in the pick-up truck. The victim flagged down a motorist who called 911. About 10 minutes later, officers with the Metropolitan Police Department’s Robbery Intervention Program spotted a truck matching the description of the one Butler was using near a gas station at Georgia and Missouri Avenues NW. Officers found the victim’s belongings spread around the truck; Butler had a knife. The victim identified Butler and he was arrested.

     In announcing the verdict, U.S. Attorney Machen commended the work of those who investigated the case from the MPD. He also acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialist Debra McPherson, Litigation Technology Specialist Paul Howell, and Victim/Witness Advocate Jennifer Clark. Finally, he praised the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Natalia Medina, who investigated and prosecuted the case.