Byron Ajanel, a 24-year-old resident of Washington, D.C., faces felony charges following an alleged violent incident involving his former girlfriend. The indictment, dated March 26, 2025, was announced by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr., in collaboration with Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department. The charges stem from an alleged assault that occurred on New Year’s Day.
According to legal authorities, Ajanel is accused of engaging in a physical altercation with the victim during an argument. As described by the government’s evidence, the altercation purportedly involved Ajanel pushing the victim to the ground, strangling her, punching her, and issuing threats.
Ajanel faces multiple charges, among them strangulation, which has been classified as a felony under the Secure D.C. Omnibus Amendment Act of 2024 passed by the D.C. Council. Strangulation is considered a severe form of intimate partner violence with potentially life-threatening consequences. A frequently referenced study from San Diego emphasized the invisible but significant physical and emotional injuries sustained by victims, warning of increased risks of future homicide for those who survive such attacks.
While the Metropolitan Police Department continues to investigate the case, Assistant U.S. Attorney Ariel Lieberman is leading its prosecution. Ajanel’s arraignment is slated for May 13, 2025, before the Honorable Judith Pipe.
The legal proceedings underscore the presumption of innocence for Ajanel, as an indictment solely serves as an allegation until proven otherwise in a court of law.