D.C. Man is Sentenced to 24 Months for Strangling His Wife

WASHINGTON - Johnny Gregory, 42, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 24 months in prison for strangling his wife in January 2026, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.

"Strangulation is an unmistakable warning sign that a victim's life is in imminent danger," said U.S. Attorney Pirro. "Research shows that after just one episode of strangulation, a victim is approximately 800% more likely to die at the hands of the same aggressor. Crimes like this deserve stronger punishment and the criminal justice system must treat strangulation with the gravity it deserves and do everything possible to protect victims before domestic violence turns fatal."

Gregory was found guilty at trial on May 4, 2026, of one count of strangulation. Superior Court Judge Deborah Israel sentenced Gregory to 24 months, a top of the guidelines sentence. The judge suspended part of that sentence and ordered Gregory to complete 18 months of probation. The government requested 24 months in prison for the strangulation offense, which was the maximum under the sentencing guidelines.

According to the government's evidence, on January 5, 2026, Gregory and his wife had an argument over laundry detergent. Gregory pushed her to the ground, punched her in the face multiple times then put his knee on her chest and strangled her with both his hands. She lost consciousness and was taken to a local hospital where she was treated for her injuries. At the time of the assault, the victim's 15-year-old daughter was present.

Gregory was arrested on January 6, 2026, and has remained in custody since.

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

In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Pirro and Interim Chief Carroll commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrea Friedman and Charles Klug, who prosecuted the case.

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