Sentenced Handed Down to Man Who Strangled Girlfriend Over Argument About Cell Phone

Hazel pleaded guilty to strangulation in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia on Jan. 16, 2026. Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe ordered Hazel to serve 10 months in prison for this offense.

According to the government's evidence, at approximately 9:00 a.m. on Nov. 28, 2025, Hazel and the victim were at the Gateway Hotel in the 2700 block of New York Avenue, NE. While there, Hazel became angry about losing his cell phone. The victim offered to let him use her cell phone until his phone was found or he bought a new one. Hazel became upset, told the victim he did not want to use her phone, and that he wanted her to buy him a new cell phone. Hazel began cursing at the victim and arguing with her when she asked the defendant several times to leave the hotel. The defendant placed both his hands around the victim's neck applying pressure until she could not breathe. He then slammed the victim to the floor and continued strangling her until she nearly lost consciousness.

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

In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Pirro and Interim Chief Carroll commended those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They also acknowledged Assistant U.S. Attorney Elias Feldman of the Sex Offense and Domestic Violence Section, who prosecuted the case.

2025 CF3 016192