District Man Pleads Guilty to Strangling His Romantic Partner

WASHINGTON - Ramon Leonard, 28, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty today to strangling his former romantic partner in April 2025 and October 2025, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.

Leonard was previously convicted of strangling the victim in October 2024. Leonard pleaded guilty to two counts of strangulation in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Sentencing is scheduled for May 28, 2026, before the Honorable Judge Robert Salerno.

"This guilty plea reflects our office's staunch commitment to holding repeat offenders accountable and protecting victims of domestic violence," said U.S. Attorney Pirro. "This defendant had already been convicted of strangling the victim once before, and yet he chose to commit this heinous act not once, but twice more. That pattern of predatory behavior will not be tolerated in this community. We will continue to pursue justice on behalf of every victim with the full force of this office."

According to the government's evidence, on April 8, 2025, Leonard got into a verbal altercation that turned physical with the victim at her residence. During the altercation, Leonard choked the victim by putting both of his hands around her neck. She felt like she couldn't breathe and was going to lose consciousness. The victim was able to flee to her leasing manager's office and called 911.  

On October 31, 2025, the defendant strangled the victim in front of his residence after trick-or-treating with their children. During the assault, he choked her by placing both of his hands around the front of her neck. The victim felt like she was fighting for air and could not breathe. This assault was captured on surveillance footage.

Leonard was arrested on November 11, 2025, and has remained in custody since.

Joining in the announcement was Interim Chief Jeffery Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department and U.S. Marshal Robert Anthony Dixon.

The case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department and Special Agent Greg Nagurka of the USAO-DC Criminal Investigations Unit. U.S. Marshals Service provided valuable assistance in executing the arrest warrant.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Olivia Hinerfeld is prosecuting the case.