Teen Pleads Guilty to Armed Robbery Spree in the Capitol Hill Neighborhood

WASHINGTON - Dereon Butler, 18, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty today to charges related to an armed robbery spree in the Capitol Hill neighborhood, in December 2024, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.

"Ten innocent people on their morning commute were terrorized at gunpoint by these teens who viewed Capitol Hill as their hunting ground," said U.S. Attorney Pirro. "These were deliberate, targeted robberies that left residents fearing for their lives. Age does not excuse violent crime and anyone who picks up a gun to commit a robbery in this city will face the consequences and be held to account."

Butler pleaded guilty to three counts of armed robbery in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Butler was charged as an adult pursuant to Title 16 at the time of the offenses. His co-defendant, Markell Butler, 17, previously pleaded guilty to two counts of robbery and was sentenced on May 1, 2026. The Honorable Judge Errol Arthur scheduled sentencing for August 31, 2026.

According to the government's evidence, in the early-morning hours of December 2, 2024, Butler and his co-conspirators utilized a stolen gray Kia Sorento and a stolen red Lexus sedan to go to the Capitol Hill neighborhood with the intention of locating and targeting commuting pedestrians to rob them at gunpoint. In all, ten different unsuspecting pedestrians were approached, across numerous locations, had a firearm brandished at them, and were robbed of their wallets, purses, cellphones, and other personal belongings. Butler then fled each scene before the police could arrive.

Dereon Butler was arrested on July 22, 2025, and has been in custody since.

Joining in the announcement was Interim Chief Jeffery Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department.

This case is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Levy.

2025 CF3 008425