Elijah Porter, a 20-year-old resident of Washington, D.C., has entered a guilty plea in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for charges related to two armed robberies that took place in 2023. This announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr., and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Porter admitted guilt to armed robbery for an incident on December 2, 2023. He also pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon and assault with intent to commit robbery for an incident on November 8, 2023. The sentencing hearing is set for May 30, 2025, as scheduled by Superior Court Judge Deborah Israel.
According to evidence presented by the government, Porter used a fake Facebook account on December 2, 2023, to respond to a Facebook Marketplace ad for an Apple MacBook. He arranged a meeting with the victim at the 1300 block of Orren Street NE. Upon arrival, when the victim handed over the MacBook for inspection, Porter brandished what appeared to be a black handgun and stole the device. A search conducted at Porter's residence two days later led to the recovery of the stolen MacBook.
In another incident on November 8, 2023, Porter created an advertisement using a false Facebook account for selling Apple iPhones. After luring a victim through this ad and arranging another meeting at the same location on Orren Street NE, Porter and an accomplice entered the victim's vehicle and assaulted him with what seemed like a handgun before stealing personal belongings.
Porter was arrested on December 4, 2023, and has remained in custody since then.
The case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Travis Wolf.